Bohnenkamp: Noah Shannon in Limbo

Iowa D-Tackle Awaiting Word from NCAA on Any Gambling Infraction

Iowa DT Noah Shannon speaks with the media on Oct. 4, 2022 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Noah Shannon was going to answer every question, and he knew he was going to get some more than once.

I was late to the group of writers talking to Shannon at Iowa’s football media day on Friday, so I wasn’t sure what was originally asked.

“My apologies if this has been asked before…” I said before Shannon graciously cut me off.

“No worries,” he responded.

Shannon is in a no-man’s-land of his own doing at the moment. He is one of the Iowa football players under investigation by the NCAA for possible violation of the organization’s rules about gambling.

We know of some of the others because of the recent criminal charges brought against them.

Shannon is in a different spot — he’s submitted all of the information that the NCAA has requested and he is waiting on a ruling on how much, if any, he can play in his sixth and final season on Iowa’s defensive line.

We know of Shannon’s situation because he has admitted to it, taking his name off the list of attendees for the Big Ten’s football media days in Indianapolis last month because he didn’t want his situation to be a distraction.

“I thought it would be smart for someone else to fill my role,” he said. “I didn’t want what was going on off the field to take away from the team.”

Shannon is old enough to make legal bets in Iowa — the others who have faced charges are not.

It’s hard to believe he actually bet on a game involving the Hawkeyes — his career would be over, according to NCAA rules.

“To my knowledge, no crime has been … he hasn't been accused of any crimes, but he does have an NCAA issue to deal with, and we'll let it ride out and see what the NCAA has to say about it,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

No, Shannon said, this is his mistake. He stood and answered every question on Friday, because he wants to own up to it.

“It has to do with how I was raised,” Shannon said. “My mom and dad always raised me to be honest.

“You can’t get into trouble for lying. That’s how I looked at it. That’s why I came forward.”

It’s all about leadership,” Shannon said.

“I feel like the team should know,” Shannon said. “Being a leader on the team, I don’t want to have any secrets from anyone. It’s best to make a statement, let the team know, and let them know someone else should represent us in Indy.”

That kind of leadership is something Ferentz appreciates.

Noah is one of the best kids we have on our football team,” Ferentz said. “He's a strong, respected leader, a tremendous young person, and has been nothing, from my standpoint, than a model football player for us. I'm really proud of everything he's done.

“I'm proud of the fact that he did come forward and say, 'I'm not sure I want to go to Indianapolis. I don't think it's right right now, fair to our football team', and that gives you a little indication into his character, I think.”

Shannon has known since May that he was under investigation, and while he waits, he doesn’t have any animosity toward the NCAA.

“I have no clue when the NCAA is going to release their disciplinary actions,” Shannon said. “It’s really just waiting and seeing what they’re going to do. To my knowledge, I’ve submitted everything they wanted. It’s now just wait and see.”

The news of the gambling investigation into athletes at Iowa and Iowa State dominated Ferentz’s press conference on Friday. The current and former players facing charges are accused of wagering on games involving the Hawkeyes.

That, Ferentz said, is a “deal-breaker.”

“The one thing that can’t be compromised is the integrity of the game,” Ferentz said.

Whatever happens to Shannon remains to be seen. He waits, because that’s all he can do.

“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating,” he said. “They’re taking their time doing their investigation, and I can’t be mad at them for that. I mean, I broke a rule. I owned up to it.

“It’s just waiting now.”