INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said that there are “not a large number” Iowa football players involved in the NCAA’s investigation into sports gambling.
“Long story short, we don’t really know what the outcome is going to be,” Ferentz said at Big Ten Media Days Wednesday. “I don’t think anyone condones gambling, especially on the college game. That being said, I’ve learned a lot the past two months just about gambling.”
Defensive lineman Noah Shannon was the first Iowa football player to be publicly named in the sports-gambling investigation that flagged 26 athletes at Iowa and approximately 15 at Iowa State.
“We live in a real different world right now,” Ferentz said Wednesday. “I think what the NFL has done with their rules makes a lot of sense. I’m hopeful this is an opportunity for the NCAA maybe to reconsider two things, what punishments might be that are fair and relevant to the world we’re living in right now. And then probably the bigger thing, there’s an opportunity right now for a lot better education process if you will.”
More: Iowa football’s Noah Shannon to miss Big Ten Media Days due to NCAA gambling investigation
Initially, Shannon was supposed to be among Iowa’s representatives at Big Ten Media Days. But on July 19, Shannon’s involvement in the NCAA investigation into sports gambling was made public. Therefore, linebacker Jay Higgins served as Shannon’s replacement at Big Ten Media Days.
“Being selected to represent the Iowa Hawkeye football team at Big Ten Media Day is a tremendous honor and privilege,” Shannon said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity. However, given the circumstances I told Coach Ferentz it would best for him to select another player. Since the NCAA review is not yet complete, I don’t feel it is right for me to represent the team.”
Shannon has been a major contributor to Iowa’s dominant defense, starting 27 games across the last two seasons. He tallied 44 total tackles last season. The veteran’s status going forward remains unclear.
More: Iowa football releases first depth chart for fall 2023: 5 things you need to know
According to NCAA guidelines, which are in effect for violations reported on or after May 2, 2023, Shannon’s college eligibility would be in jeopardy if he bet on Iowa games (in any sport) and could lose half a season if he bet on any college football. For other wagering activity, he would face a loss of 30% of the season if he wagered more than $800, 20% of the season if he wagered between $501 and $800, 10% of the season for $201 to $500 and gambling education (no games missed) for $200 or less.
This story will be updated should more information become available during Big Ten Media Days
Follow Tyler Tachman on Twitter @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]