Report: NCAA probing Newton recruitment

NEW YORK, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The NCAA is investigating the recruitment of star Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, whose father denies alleged improprieties, The New York Times said Thursday.

Newton has led Auburn to a perfect record through nine games this season and if the Tigers go unbeaten they will almost certainly win a spot in the national championship game.

The Auburn quarterback first spent two years at the University of Florida before transferring to Blinn College in Texas.

The Times reported that Mississippi State assistant Coach John Bond was contacted by a former teammate, Kenny Rogers, who said he represented Newton. The report said Rogers told Bond he could ensure Newton would leave Blinn and enroll at Mississippi State in exchange for a "specified payment."

ESPN.com reported Bond said he had been told by Rogers it would take $180,000 to bring Newton to Mississippi State and that other schools had already offered $200,000.

Mississippi State officials said the offer from Rogers was rejected and that all communication with him was suspended.

Greg Sankey, associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, told the Times he had been told about the alleged overture by Rogers and that he had forwarded the information to Auburn officials.

Newton's father was quoted in the Times as saying the allegations were false and that the family had hired an attorney to represent it in the matter.

Newton, a junior, has completed two-thirds of his passes this season for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has run for an additional 1,122 yards and 14 touchdowns.