7-on-7 coach says Miss State freshman DB received money from booster

Published September 12, 2012 - 8:00am

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A Nashville 7-on-7 coach, Byron De’Vinner, told a radio show yesterday afternoon that he witnessed a booster give money to current Mississippi State freshman defensive back Will Redmond, to the tune of around $200. He also expressed that former wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando, who resigned from MSU just before the season, was aware of the exchange of benefits.

Here’s a summary of what De’Vinner said on the radio show via the ClarionLedger:

“Will Redmond is a kid that was basically taken advantage of by a booster and by an assistant coach,” De’Vinner said on the radio show.

De’Vinner, who said he is close to Redmond’s family, refuted that the booster purchased a Ford Mustang for Redmond.

“But did I physically see inappropriate benefits? Yes, I did,” De’Vinner said, adding that the booster said he mailed Redmond a jacket and “lined up some other things.”

De’Vinner said he interviewed for a job at Mississippi State in January, and has cooperated with NCAA investigators and MSU’s compliance department during the investigation.

The most recent report provided to the ClarionLedger from Mississippi State stated as follows:

An MSU booster was found to have had “impermissible contact” with a recruit and may have engaged in other NCAA rules violation, according to documents provided to The Clarion-Ledger on Aug. 28. The booster refused “multiple” requests by MSU’s compliance department to be interviewed by an NCAA representative, according to a letter dated July 13 and written by MSU’s outside counsel. The name of the booster was redacted in three documents, including two emails.

MSU then disassociated itself from a booster.

The NCAA has been looking into several Memphis-area players over the past few months, and this is believed to be a part of a much bigger investigation. Auburn’s Jovon Robinson was ruled ineligible before the season because his high school transcript was found to be altered. Robinson, like Redmond, was a Memphis-area prospect.

Tags: Will Redmond