Florida State hit with recruiting violation after booster promises transfer prospect $15K a month NIL deal

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Florida State was hit with a Level II recruiting violation on Thursday after an assistant coach "facilitated an impermissible recruiting contact" between a transfer prospect and a booster, who in turn promised the player an NIL deal worth $15,000 a month, the NCAA announced. 

The coach, who was identified by The Associated Press as offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, was hit with a three-game suspension to start off the 2024 season. The Seminoles football program was also placed on a two-year probation and fined the loss of five football scholarships over the next two seasons and $5,000. 

Florida State Seminoles offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins speaks during a game between the Boston College Eagles and the Florida State Seminoles on Sept. 16, 2023, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"We are pleased to reach closure to this situation and view this as another step in strengthening our culture of compliance at Florida State University," athletic director Michael Alford said in a statement. 

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"We take all compliance matters very seriously, and our full cooperation with the NCAA on this case is a clear example of that commitment. We remain committed to compliance with all NCAA rules including disassociation of the booster and the collective."

According to the NCAA, the violation occurred during an official visit to FSU, reportedly in 2022.  

Atkins transported the prospect, identified by the AP as Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, and his parents to an off-campus meeting with a booster, who