Agent Reportedly Had Privileges at Nebraska

A newspaper that investigated college recruiting by agents alleges that some of Philadelphia agent Art Wilkinson’s dealings have violated National Collegiate Athletic Assn. rules.

Wilkinson, 32, has built one of the busiest and most controversial businesses in the country, largely through his “unusual association” with the University of Nebraska, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Many of Wilkinson’s star clients are from the University of Nebraska, according to the newspaper. His first star client was running back Mike Rozier, and more recently Wilkinson signed fullback Tom Rathman and defensive back Brian Davis.

Among the most notable names on Wilkinson’s list of clients is Tom Osborne, coach of the Cornhuskers.

But Wilkinson’s recruiting strategies at Nebraska and elsewhere have led to problems, according to the newspaper, which alleged that:

--Wilkinson had a field pass for all Nebraska games and practices, which allowed him to roam the sidelines and, on at least one occasion, discuss business with a Cornhusker player, a violation of NCAA rules.

--Wilkinson’s firm paid two players from the University of Arizona, Alfred Jenkins and Jon Horton, while they were still playing for the school, a violation of NCAA rules.

--An employee from Wilkinson’s firm offered spending money to a recruit from South Dakota State during a visit to Philadelphia in November, a violation of NCAA rules.

--A letter from Wilkinson’s office distributed to college recruits last year contained factual errors that exaggerated his accomplishments.

Wilkinson said: “I know what the skeletons are in my closet, and in all honesty, they’re nothing. They’re nowhere near the skeletons in other closets.”

Osborne denied that Wilkinson had ever been his agent, disavowed any knowledge of a special pass for Wilkinson and said he would never authorize a field pass for an agent.

“The (NCAA) rule is that the people on the sidelines are players, coaches and medical personnel,” Osborne said. “That’s all I’ve ever authorized being there.”

Since the newspaper first asked Wilkinson about possessing a field pass, Wilkinson said he had returned it to Osborne.

“I told him that I certainly didn’t want to do anything that would bring him into disrepute or would make him look bad,” Wilkinson said. “In my heart, I believe that I did nothing by being on the sidelines to either improve my position with the players or to do anything other than have fun.”