Investigator asks about possible rule breaking at South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. - An NCAA investigator has questioned at least three South Carolina men about possible football rule violations, including letting a recruit drive a luxury car owned by an alumnus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its Web site Wednesday night. <br> <br> NCAA enforcement representative Jeff Higgins traveled to South Carolina on Aug. 6 to interview at least two men about possible discrepancies on a former player&#39;s high school transcript, the newspaper said. <br> <br> Higgins also questioned another man about whether parents of players were given jobs because their sons signed with South Carolina, if an auto repair shop in Lancaster gave improper benefits to the mother of Gamecocks player, and if a mother cashed thousands of dollars in checks after her son signed with South Carolina. <br> <br> The school had no knowledge of an NCAA probe, said spokesman Kerry Tharp. <br> <br> ``Our administration, from the president on down, have heard nothing from the NCAA,&#39;&#39; Tharp said. <br> <br> Derek Watson was driving a $62,000 Cadillac Escalade owned by an alumnus a few months after he signed with the university in 1999, the newspaper said. Police reports show Watson reported the vehicle stolen June 27, 1999. It was later found in North Carolina, and a suspect was arrested. <br> <br> ``This was self-reported to the NCAA during that time,&#39;&#39; Tharp said. ``Watson was declared ineligible. It was looked into by the university, and he made restitution for his use of the vehicle. We appealed for and received restoration of his eligibility, and the NCAA accepted the actions taken by the university.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Watson, 21, enrolled at South Carolina State after he was dismissed from the team in January because of a marijuana arrest. <br> <br> The owner of the SUV, Pierce Cauthen, declined comment Wednesday. <br> <br> ``I think that case may still be pending,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I don&#39;t think I should discuss it.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Watson was one of the nation&#39;s most highly recruited running backs in 1999. He rushed for 1,066 yards in 2000, leading the Gamecocks from an 0-11 record the year before to a berth in the Outback Bowl.