Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

UNC Reports Hakeem Nicks, Vernon Davis Gave Improper Benefits To Players

Big day for the neverending improper-benefits investigation into the UNC football program! A months-long scandal that was triggered by, among other events, the relationship between current Tar Heels and former players like Kentwan Balmer, added some more ACC alumni names today, as the university released additional information to the NCAA in the process of clearing up the eligibility statuses of the remaining withheld players. Let's give a warm welcome to the newcomers reported to have help destabilize the Chapel Hill regime:

Mahlon Carey, Hakeem Nicks, Omar Brown, Vernon Davis and an unknown person from Miami gave gifts of cash and jewelry and provided impermissible assistance with travel, lodging and entertainment expenses.

• Nicks: $3,300
• Brown: $1,865
• Carey: $140
• Davis: $20
• Unknown person from Miami: $323

Before we get to making fun of Vernon Davis for only shelling out 20 bucks, ESPN has some additional details that make you wonder just how shabbily his guest bedroom must be decorated:

The school said the amount -- totaling $5,648 between the five people -- also includes the estimated value of lodging at their homes during visits. Some of those benefits were repaid by the players or hosts before they knew they had broken NCAA rules.
Oh, and the school also formally severed its relationship with Jennifer Wiley, the tutor accused of providing extra benefits and improper academic assistance. Now: return to the Vernon Davis jokes! Seriously, did he make them sleep in a shed? I’m asking for Craig James.

See More:

More in General

GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
An SB Nation New Yorker needs our helpAn SB Nation New Yorker needs our help
GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
General
Sabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world recordSabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world record
General

The mythical two-hour mark was broken at the London Marathon.

By Bernd Buchmasser
A Huge Dog
THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1
Play
General
Super Bowl 60 coin toss resultsSuper Bowl 60 coin toss results
General

The Seahawks and Patriots will open the Super Bowl with the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. We have the full coin toss results for Super Bowl 60.

By David Fucillo
General
Marc Marquez completes a comeback for the agesMarc Marquez completes a comeback for the ages
General

MotoGP’s Marc Marquez completed a comeback for the ages with his 2025 title

By Mark Schofield
General
How to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search resultsHow to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search results