By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hosted several prospects on official visits last weekend, but a photograph of the group taken in the football locker room may serve as proof of an NCAA rules violation.

The prospects were wearing Arkansas’ red home jerseys and stood in front of lockers with personalized name plates in the photograph, which surfaced on the Internet. The problem: NCAA rules prohibit universities from simulating a game-day atmosphere during official visits.

Arkansas spokesperson Kevin Trainor said Monday the school is looking into the situation.

“Any time there’s a matter that raises a question, we’ll review it,” Trainor said.

NCAA bylaw 13.6.7.9 specifically stipulates schools “may not permit a prospective student-athlete to engage in any game-day simulations … during an official visit.” In addition, the bylaw says “personalized recruiting aids include any decorative items and special additions to any location the prospective student-athlete will visit (e.g. hotel room, locker room, coach’s office, conference room, arena) regardless of whether the items include the prospective student-athlete’s name or picture.”

Ten prospects are wearing jerseys — although it is not known if they were personalized — in the photo.

The photo does clearly show the names of five prospects on name plates over the lockers.

Arkansas gained two verbal commitments from prospects who visited over the weekend, according to recruiting websites. The two — linebacker Tyler Gilbert and safety/linebacker Rohan Gaines — are in the photograph. “T. Gilbert” and “56” are on one of the five name plates.

If Arkansas does determine NCAA rules were broken, it would be a secondary violation and shouldn’t affect the athletes’ eligibility.

Secondary violations aren’t uncommon and are often self-reported by programs. They are not typically met with stiff penalties.

But there are other factors to consider after a USA Today report published Monday. The report said college football coaches now “run the risk of being suspended by the NCAA for one or more games if they commit a secondary recruiting violation.”

According to the report, the move was approved by the NCAA Division I and II Committes on Infractions in September. Members were informed, but no public announcement was made.

An NCAA spokesperson told USA Today that “punishment could depend on the circumstances, and suspension is not automatic” for coaches.