(Image Source: Miami Herald)

BY BRAD GALBREATH

You're watching multisource sports news analysis from Newsy

With the first game of the season just over a week away, the fates of at least eight University of Miami players are now solely in the hands of the NCAA.

On Friday, UM ruled the players ineligible.

The Miami Herald reports-- “eight football players — including quarterback Jacory Harris and linebacker Sean Spence — were declared ineligible.”
 

The players are accused of receiving impermissible benefits from former UM booster Nevin Shapiro.

Miami coach Al Golden would not verify the number of players involved - or who they are. Miami’s WTVJ has his comments-- or lack thereof.

“I’m not going to comment on that. It’s an ongoing investigation. I’m not allowed to comment on that. Again, we’ve been most respectful for the process here in the NCAA and we’ve been extremely cooperative so I’m not going to deviate from that path right now.”
 

But as ESPN’s Joe Schad reports-- it was a necessary move to expedite the reinstatement process.

“This is a procedural situation where Miami had no choice but to declare these players ineligible and hope that the NCAA can move this process along quickly enough to determine how many games these players will miss.”
 

Players will still able to practice and prepare for the opener against Maryland on September 5-- but whether they get on the field is up to the NCAA.
WPLG reports the punishments could be different for each player….

“If they are reinstated, there could be conditions, those players may have to sit out games, they could be suspended, they may have to pay fines, so we’re going to have to wait and see what happens with all of this.”
 

But as Golden points out on WSVN, the investigation will not have a major effect on the field.

“90 percent of the guys aren’t impacted by this, and none of the staff is impacted by this, so we’re going to continue to move forward and stay focused.”
 

Transcript by Newsy.