Clemson Reports Seven Minor NCAA Violations Across Six Sports in 2025
Clemson athletics self-reported seven NCAA Level III violations during the 2025 calendar year, spanning six different sports, including football, softball, women’s soccer, women’s track and field, men’s tennis, and rowing. While none of the infractions rise to the level of serious misconduct, they still required corrective action and serve as a reminder of how closely monitored and regulated collegiate athletics remain.
Let’s break down what happened, what it means, and how Clemson responded across the board.
Football: Social Media Misstep Leads to Two-Week Ban
In the most high-profile of the violations, a Clemson football assistant coach was hit with a two-week communication ban after quote-tweeting a recruit’s verbal commitment on X (formerly Twitter). NCAA rules strictly prohibit schools from publicly acknowledging a commitment before a player has officially enrolled, and even a seemingly harmless retweet can cross the line.
The post was quickly taken down, and the assistant was given a refresher course in NCAA compliance. While this was Clemson football’s first reported violation since 2023, it’s a reminder that even in the digital age, the NCAA’s recruiting rules remain rooted in formality and timing.
Softball: Official Visit Goes Public
In another case of social media causing trouble, a Clemson softball student manager posted a video of a recruit during her official visit. That’s a no-go under NCAA rules, which prohibit publicizing a prospect’s visit to campus.
The post was removed following a prompt intervention by Clemson’s compliance team, and the softball staff received rules education to prevent similar issues moving forward.
Women’s Soccer: Improper Off-Campus Contact
This violation came with more serious consequences. A women’s soccer assistant coach was placed on leave after transporting current players from the airport and involving them in an off-campus, in-person contact with a recruit.
The NCAA allows off-campus contact in certain situations, but not when it involves enrolled athletes at the direction of a staff member. On top of that, schools can’t provide transportation or cover expenses for current players to help recruit prospects.
As a result, Clemson barred the coaching staff from off-campus recruiting for two weeks and provided additional rules education. The assistant coach involved was placed on leave in 2025.
Men’s Tennis: Prize Money Over the Limit
A Clemson men’s tennis player accepted prize money that exceeded what the NCAA considers “actual and necessary expenses” - a common gray area in sports like tennis where players often compete in individual events.
While athletes are allowed to accept prize money, the NCAA draws a hard line: the funds can only cover the player’s own expenses, not those of coaches, family members, or others.
The athlete repaid the excess amount to a local charity, received compliance education, and was briefly ruled ineligible until reinstated by the NCAA.
Women’s Track and Field: Two Violations, Two Lessons
The track and field program had two separate infractions in 2025.
1. Off-Campus Meeting Beyond the One-Mile Radius
A recruit and her mother were met by staff at two restaurants beyond the one-mile radius allowed during an unofficial visit. That might sound like a minor technicality, but the NCAA is strict about proximity rules during unofficial visits.
Clemson responded by issuing letters of admonishment to the coaching staff and restricting them from taking recruits off campus during unofficial visits for 30 days. Staff also received additional compliance training.
2. Athlete Competed Before Being Added to Squad List
In another case, a track and field athlete competed in an event before officially being added to the team’s squad list - a procedural misstep that still counts as a violation.
Both the head coach and an assistant responsible for athlete entries reviewed and signed the updated squad list after the fact. The head coach received a formal letter of admonishment.
Rowing: Early Email Contact
Lastly, a Clemson rowing assistant coach contacted a prospect earlier than NCAA rules allow, sending an email before the permissible date for communication.
As with the other violations, the coaching staff received rules education, and the assistant was barred from contacting the prospect for two weeks.
The Bigger Picture
Level III violations are the NCAA’s least severe classification - typically isolated incidents that don’t provide a significant competitive advantage. Still, they matter. They’re tracked, and repeated issues can raise red flags for compliance departments and governing bodies alike.
Clemson’s response in each case followed the expected protocol: remove the issue, educate the staff, and take short-term corrective action. While none of the violations are program-altering, they show how easily even well-intentioned actions can run afoul of NCAA rules - especially in the era of social media and constant recruiting.
For Clemson, the key now is staying clean moving forward. The football program had gone without a violation in 2024, and the hope internally is that these 2025 infractions serve as teachable moments rather than the start of a trend.