The owner of a Texas-based scouting service tells Yahoo! Sports that Oregon coach Chip Kelly personally approved a $25,000 payment to him that's the focus of an NCAA investigation.
The payment to Will Lyles in February 2010 has been questioned because of his relationship with running backs Lache Seastrunk and LaMichael James. Lyles was paid soon after Seastrunk signed a letter of intent.
Oregon announced in March that it had been contacted by the NCAA to provide documentation about its use of recruiting services.
Spokesman Dave Williford told The Associated Press on Friday that the school maintains it has done nothing wrong.
Yahoo! reports that Lyles' role as mentor to prospects and paid contractor to Oregon is believed to be central to the NCAA's investigation.
