UPDATED: Muhammad, Grace permanently dismissed; Young weighs in
Defensive tackle Al-Quadin Muhammad and linebacker Jermaine Grace were permanently dismissed from the UM football team Saturday, a crushing blow to the Hurricanes a week before opening day.
The two were involved in a summer-long investigation into their use of exotic rental cars, which they reportedly did not pay for. The car rental agency involved, South Beach Exotic Rentals, has vehicles that range from $499 a day (a Porsche Panamera) to $25,000 for one day (a Bugatti Veyron).
The University issued the following statement: "The University of Miami announced today that red-shirt junior Al-Quadin Muhammad and senior Jermaine Grace have been permanently dismissed from the Hurricanes football program for violating NCAA rules. The University will, however, continue their financial aid through graduation. The decision was made in consultation with outside counsel and after discussions with the NCAA enforcement staff. As no staff members or boosters were involved in the violations, the program will not be subject to sanctions and, at this time, the University deems this matter closed."
Muhammad and Grace were expected to be two of the main leaders of the Miami defense this season. For Muhammad, it was the final chapter of a very disappointing career at Miami. He missed the 2014 season after being booted from school for his role in a fight with a fellow student.
He learned of his fate Saturday morning in a meeting UM administrators. Muhammad confirmed the violations involved the car rentals. But when asked for details, told CaneSport "I can't talk about it."
When told Grace had also been dismissed, Muhammad was surprised.
"Wow, I knew he had a meeting," Muhammad said.
Sources told CaneSport that the players have been represented by attorneys throughout the investigation.
Grace started 10 games last season and entered this year with 147 career tackles, 12.5 for losses, and five sacks. He was expected to have a big year in Manny Diaz's attacking style defense given his 4.4-second speed. Muhammad started seven games last season and had 8.5 tackles for losses and five sacks. Like Grace it appeared he was in store or a huge season until this news came down today.
Juwon Young, who was also involved in the rental cars but was dismissed earlier this summer and is now enrolled at Marshall, told CaneSport Saturday afternoon that "it's crazy" Grace and Muhammad were dismissed.
"It was just legitimate cars - nobody did anything bad, nobody took money, shot anybody, nothing outrageous," Young said. "It was just cars."
Young says he was dismissed earlier than the other two because "I wasn't forthcoming - that's why I was suspended, but they didn't get suspended at the time."
He adds "At the time it was a lot of confusion. I was thinking we could pay it back, pay whatever."
He said media reports about the incident paint an accurate portrayal in terms of the student-athletes not paying for the rentals.
Young sums up his final thoughts on today's dismissals: "That's crazy how they got what they got."
CaneSport's take
This is a huge blow for the team. Without Muhammad it appears Trent Harris will now start, and with Grace gone look for Zach McCloud to start which will put two freshmen starters at linebacker.