Georgia junior wide receiver has been suspended for four games by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff for violations of NCAA agent benefits rules. What exactly happened?

According to the facts of the case submitted by Georgia, the student-athlete sold his Independence Bowl game jersey to an individual who meets the NCAA definition of an agent. Green has repaid the $1,000 value of benefits to charity.

The ruling is consistent with NCAA guidelines for reinstatement following the receipt of improper benefits:

(a) Value of the benefit ranges from greater than $100 to $300 = 10 percent withholding condition and repayment.
(b) Value of the benefit ranges from greater than $300 to $500 = 20 percent withholding condition and repayment.
(c) Value of the benefit greater than $500 = 30 percent withholding condition and repayment.

UGA can and almost certainly will appeal. It would be interesting to see why Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus received only a two-game suspension after receiving benefits totaling $1,787.17. Green’s infraction involved a smaller dollar amount, and he’s already repaid the money. Hopefully the resolution of the appeal will be as speedy as Jeremiah Masoli’s was last week. If Green’s suspension is not reduced, the Oct. 2nd Colorado game would mark his 2010 debut.

For now, Georgia must prepare to play its next three games without Green. The receiving corps will benefit from the return of Tavarres King this week, but otherwise it’s the same group that took the field for the opener. Georgia had to play much of the end of last season without Green, and they had mixed results. Georgia defeated Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Texas A&M without their star, but they fell to Kentucky.