AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs says he has no reservations about erecting a statue for Cam Newton while an NCAA investigation continues.
Jacobs says ``technically it's still an open issue.'' But he says nothing has changed since NCAA President Mark Emmert's comments in February that ``there was no evidence that Auburn University had anything to do with'' Newton's father soliciting money during recruiting.
Auburn will put up statues of its Heisman winners.
Jacobs also says Birmingham attorney William King is still investigating a report where four former Auburn football players said they were paid.
Jacobs says negotiations for a new contract for football coach Gene Chizik following the national championship season are ``pretty close'' to completion.