Shepard apparently moved into off-campus housing this spring (first time he’d been outside student housing) with a girlfriend, who also happened to be an athletic department employee.

The payment arrangement set up may have been out of compliance with NCAA rules regulating how much money student-athletes receive and how they are supposed to spend it.

Because it’s a fairly recent development and was brought to the attention of athletic department officials quickly, it shouldn’t have a long-term effect on Shepard’s eligibility. But he could face a school-imposed or NCAA-imposed suspension.

Had Shepard not been schedule to speak at SEC Media Days, this episode likely would’ve stayed under the radar.