Reggie Bush Heisman reinstatement rekindles memories of most controversial NCAA penalties ever administered

Reggie Bush is among the all-time college football greats as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner. The former USC star running back helped the Trojans to a BCS National Championship in 2004 and a runner-up finish the following season. But in 2010, the NCAA stripped Bush of his records following a high-profile investigation that revealed he and his family received impermissible benefits during his college career at USC. In addition, The Heisman Trust demanded Bush forfeit the trophy, which was finally returned Wednesday after a long-fought battle.

The punishment levied on Bush was always considered controversial, but especially given drastic changes in college athletics as it pertains to name, image and likeness (NIL). The NCAA had denied his request to reconsider penalties brought against the USC football program, noting Bush was "not an involved individual" in the case, CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd reported in March. That essentially put the decision in the hands of The Heisman Trophy Trust.

"It's one of those things where if you look at Cam Newton, his dad couldn't go to the ceremony because he got paid by Auburn to go there," USCFootball.com publisher Ryan Abraham said recently. "So Auburn wins a national championship because Cam Newton was paid to go there. Reggie Bush wasn't paid to go to USC. It was about agents giving his family money while he was a student-athlete, trying to become his agent when he wasn't a student-athlete any longer. ... The fact that [Bush] doesn't have his Heisman, it's just borderline criminal at this point."

USC basketball vacates wins from O.J. Mayo era for violating NCAA rules

O.J. Mayo, a former No. 1 overall recruit and standout for USC basketball, became embroiled in a combined NCAA investigation that later included the university's football program. Mayo played for USC during the 2007-08 season. The investigation revealed that Mayo received improper benefits and gifts from Rodney Guillory, a prominent figure in Southern California prep basketball.

Even though Mayo had already transitioned to playing in the NBA as the No. 3 overall pick to the Memphis Grizzlies by 2010, USC announced his ineligibility for the 2007-08 season. As a result, the university vacated its wins and NCAA Tournament appearance for that season.

SMU football receives death penalty for rampant violations

SMU football basically operated a massive pay-for-play system before name, image and likeness was implemented more than 30 years later. The NCAA delivered the "death penalty" to the program in 1987 for rampant and repeated violations, particularly focused on recruiting. The Mustangs had a long history of violations, including paying players with cash and providing them other impermissible benefits to persuade them to come to SMU. The failure to cooperate with the NCAA and persistence of the issues led to the "death penalty," which had a long-lasting impact on the football program and athletic department.

Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant ruled ineligible for remainder of 2009 season for NCAA bylaw violation

Consensus All-American and potential Heisman Trophy contender Dez Bryant was ruled ineligible for the remainder of the 2009 season at Oklahoma State for violating an NCAA bylaw. Bryant missed the final nine games of the regular season and the Cotton Bowl because he withheld information regarding a dinner with Deion Sanders, who was considered a representative of a sports agent at the time. NCAA rules prohibited athletes from contacting agents or representatives as a possible compromise to amateur status. 

Bryant caught 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns during the 2008 season at Oklahoma State. He also returned two punts for touchdowns. The Dallas Cowboys selected Bryant in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He earned First Team All-Pro in 2014.

NCAA delivers postseason ban to Oklahoma State hoops in connection to FBI probe

The NCAA delivered a harsh punishment to the Oklahoma State men's basketball program as a result of the FBI probe into college basketball recruiting. The Cowboys received a postseason ban, along with a three-year probation, loss of three scholarships and a $10,000 fine. It was by far the most severe disciplinary action given to any of the schools involved in the probe with Oklahoma State being the only one to receive a postseason ban. The university appealed the decision, but the initial punishment was upheld.

The lone piece of evidence in the NCAA investigation of any rule violation by Oklahoma State was confirmation of former assistant Lamont Evans' involvement in a $300 payment to former Cowboys basketball player Jeffrey Carroll, who reimbursed the money and faced a three-game suspension during the 2018-19 season.

"So too was the outcome, not to mention incredibly unjust and unfair," former Oklahoma State basketball coach Mike Boynton said in November 2021 when the appeal was denied. "I invite members of the NCAA enforcement staff, it's Committee on Infractions, and appeals panel involved in our case to meet with my team, to look each of them in their eyes and explain why illicit conduct committed by a rogue assistant coach five years ago - conduct which led to no competitive advantage for our program, and for which the coach was fired immediately upon discovery by our administration - should serve as a basis for denying them the opportunity to experience postseason tournament play. This is the greatest disappointment in my career as a head coach."

Ex-Georgia WR A.J. Green suspended four games in 2010

A.J. Green was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season at Georgia after he admitted to selling a game-worn jersey to Chris Hawkins, who was considered an agent by the NCAA. That violated NCAA rules regarding amateurism and eligibility at the time. Although it would be considered capitalizing on name, image and likeness (NIL) in the current landscape of college athletics. Green sold the 2009 Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000.

In 32 games played at Georgia, Green caught 166 passes for 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns. He twice earned First Team All-American honors. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Green with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

NCAA rules Kentucky basketball five-star freshman Enes Kanter ineligible

Enes Kanter was one of the faces of the 2010 recruiting class for Kentucky basketball, which ranked No. 1 in the country with three five-star enrollees. However, Kanter never played a game in a Wildcats uniform after the NCAA declared him permanently ineligible before the 2010 season. The NCAA claimed Kanter received approximately $33,000 in excess benefits while playing for a youth basketball team in Turkey prior to moving to the United States. An appeal by Kentucky was rejected. Kanter went on to be the No. 3 overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2011 NBA Draft.

NCAA punishment taints 'Fab Five' legacy at Michigan

The "Fab Five" is considered one of the best groups of players in college basketball history. Michigan reached back-to-back national championship games in the early 1990s with Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jimmy King, Jalen Rose and Chris Webber as the stars for the Wolverines. But in 2002, the NCAA conducted an investigation into Michigan basketball and its relationship with prominent booster Ed Martin. It found Martin provided substantial financial benefits to several Wolverines, including Webber. Michigan was forced to vacate its wins and Final Four appearances during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons.

NCAA finds Ohio State football players exchange memorabilia for impermissible benefits

Terrelle Pryor was certainly not immune to controversy during his time at Ohio State. The standout quarterback and other Buckeyes were alleged to have received impermissible benefits in exchange for memorabilia, including championship rings and jerseys. In 2010, the NCAA began investigating allegations that Pryor and others bartered with a tattoo parlor in Columbus. The investigation also revealed other violations, including impermissible benefits provided by booster Bobby DiGeronimo and the failure of then-head coach Jim Tressel to report these violations. These violations ultimately led to a resignation from Tressel and Ohio State being placed on probation by the NCAA.