The NCAA ruling against the Iowa Football program still has multiple parties up in arms over the decision.
After it was determined that Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa program violated recruiting restrictions related to contact with then-Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, the University thought it was in the clear.
The program self-imposed mutiple penalties, including suspending Ferentz and coach Jon Budmayr, for a game, a $25,000 fine, and recruiting restrictions, but apparently that wasn't enough.
The NCAA passed final judgment in the case after four years, forcing Iowa to vacate four wins from the 2023 season when McNamara would've been ineligible. The punishment hasn't gone over well with anyone surrounding the program, including a former player.
Deontae Craig heavily criticized the NCAA decision, siting Michigan's sign-stealing scandal
Kirk Ferentz released a statement shortly after the ruling was handed down, calling it "overly harsh and inconsistent" with the infraction.
He wasn't the only one who expressed extreme disappointment with the decision.
So a recruiting violation vacates 4 of our wins but a program literally planted someone on opposing sidelines to steal signs/ and plays and their coach gets a 4 game suspension? NCAA is a joke😂
— Deontae Craig (@CraigDeontae) April 14, 2026
Former Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig, who was a member of the team when the violations occurred, went in on the NCAA after the ruling, calling them a "joke."
He blasted the NCAA on social media, noting that the Michigan football program was caught planting scouts to steal signs and plays from opponents and received a lighter penalty than Kirk Ferentz and Iowa.
Michigan Head coach Jim Harbaugh and assistant Sherrone Moore were given multiple-game suspensions, and the program was hit a hefty fine, but that's it.
Craig's sentiments have been echoed by multiple people, and he has a valid point about how the punishment does not fit the crime.
This case could lead to harsher penalties in the future for recruiting violations, but currently, it only further proves that the NCAA is at best wishy-washy when it comes to punishments for any kind of violation.
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