As it stands there are twelve players confirmed out for Saturday’s gave against LSU, with a possible three or four more “doubtful” for the game.

For those that haven’t been keeping up with the saga unfolding in Chapel Hill, the NCAA decided to look into allegations of improper benefits, and has allegedly found a mountain of other violations to go with it.

So far confirmed ineligible are; defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.

Six other student-athletes who will be “withheld” from Saturday’s game include: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.
As reported by Rivals, and noted above;

Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, and safety Deunta Williams weren’t on the team plane as the Tar Heels prepared to leave Friday morning for Atlanta.

What effect this has on the Tar Heel’s season remains to be seen, but one can fairly obviously assume it will be huge.  Fallout for both the players and coach Butch Davis could be even bigger.  Marvin Austin, Robert Quinn and Kendric Burney were widely considered top NFL prospects, their stock will all probably take a large “character” hit.  What about Butch Davis?  Does he get fired?  What are the short and long term prospects for his employment after this?

As always, more to come as the situation unfolds…

EDIT:  Updating our earlier report on linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, and safety Deunta Williams, who didn’t travel with the team as UNC conferred with the NCAA on their status’. Sturdivant and Carter are now cleared and are traveling to Atlanta tonight. However, Williams remains sidelined because the NCAA wanted more information before ruling on his status.