Georgia Tech Bracing For Potential NCAA Recruiting Violations Due To Todd Spencer

In a surprising twist, Georgia Tech's offensive line coach Todd Spencer resigned on National Signing Day.

Spencer had broken NCAA rules when it comes to sending illegal text messages, and coach Paul Johnson was reportedly ready to fire him.

#GaTech OL coach Todd Spencer has resigned. CPJ wanted him fired after school found out he sent illegal texts 2 recruits. Resigned instead

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) February 1, 2012

The turmoil on the coaching staff may have cost the Yellow Jackets on the recruiting trail.

Will Adams, a three-star 6'5 280 offensive lineman from Tyrone, Georgia, had been a long-time Georgia Tech commit, but he decided to re-open his recruiting due to Spencer's situation.

Adams visted Auburn last week and ended up committing to the school earlier on National Signing Day.

At this point, there's no clear indication as to where Johnson wants to go in terms of replacing Spencer, but the offensive line coach is particularly important for Georgia Tech, a team which runs a unique triple-option system that most recruits aren't as familiar with coming out of high school.

Georgia Tech offensive line coach Todd Spencer could be departing Paul Johnson's staff, according to a report by CoachingSearch.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a factor in Tech commit Will Adams' visit to Auburn over the weekend was that Spencer, his primary recruiter, was rumored to be leaving the team:

[Adams] told the AJC on Saturday that he was aware of the reports that Georgia Tech co-offensive line coach Todd Spencer is not expected back with the team. ""I heard something like that may happen, and that’s one of the main reasons I decided to visit Auburn."

With the citizenship issues of Chester Brown preventing the University of Georgia from taking an offensive lineman, the Dawgs might be in play for Adams as well. Adams told Al.com that he's still committed to the Yellow Jackets after visiting The Plains, but that "we're still talking about it" regarding his final decision. However, the AJC updated their original story on Adams Sunday night that he was not committed to any school.

Spencer has been on the Georgia Tech staff for four seasons, and was suspended before the 2011 season for one game because of recruiting violations.

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