The announcement was made on Thursday – one day after Bryant’s 21st birthday.

With OSU’s Scott Williams reporting that there are no underlying issues, the Bryant investigation apparently has been completed. Williams is OSU’s associate athletic director for compliance.

Williams indicated that OSU does not expect to be hit with significant sanctions separate from the one-year suspension imposed upon Bryant, an All-American junior wide receiver.

Although he could return to the Cowboys as a senior next year, Bryant reportedly has begun preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. The Oklahoman quoted John Outlaw, who was Bryant’s coach at Lufkin (Texas) High School, as saying that

Before the season began with OSU’s Sept. 5 win over Georgia, the NCAA expressed concern that Bryant might have compromised his eligibility during offseason meetings with former NFL star Deion Sanders. Bryant played in three games this season – victories over Georgia and Rice, and a loss to Houston.

Williams indicated that OSU does not expect to be forced to vacate its victories over Georgia and Rice.

Williams acknowledged that OSU did commit a secondary, inadvertent violation – the game participation of a player who later admitted to having lied to the NCAA. A violation report will be processed with the NCAA, Williams indicated, and any possible penalties likely would be minor.

When OSU’s first three games were played, a source said, school officials were not aware that Bryant had lied to the NCAA. On Oct. 7, OSU officials learned that Bryant had committed a potential violation by lying in previous NCAA interview settings. That same day, OSU suspended Bryant indefinitely.

On Oct. 27, the NCAA announced that Bryant’s suspension would be extended until September 2010. OSU filed an appeal for reinstatement, and on Thursday it was denied. During interviews with the NCAA, Bryant was asked about his interaction with Sanders, who is associated with prominent sports agent Eugene Parker. NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from entering into any type of agreement with a sports agent until their eligibility has been exhausted.

Sanders says he did not attempt to foster a Bryant-Parker relationship. Sanders maintains that he only served as a mentor to the Cowboy receiver.

Bryant was interviewed by the NCAA on three occasions (twice in Stillwater and once in Indianapolis). On each occasion, the NCAA reported last week, Bryant was accompanied by an attorney.

An NCAA spokeswoman wrote this in e-mail to ESPN.com: “In fact, at one point during (Bryant’s) first interview, he was allowed to step outside with his attorney to converse and was then reminded again of his obligation to be truthful when he came back on the record.”

While determining what Bryant’s punishment would be, the NCAA explained, these factors were considered:

Whether Bryant “actively and deliberately concealed, omitted or provided inaccurate or false information.”

Whether he “had multiple opportunities to correct or provide the accurate information.” Whether he “provided inaccurate or false information to the NCAA enforcement or amateurism certification staff.”

On Sept. 2, in an e-mail addressed to OSU, the NCAA wrote, “It is the institution’s responsibility to certify the eligibility of its student-athletes and, in the present case, the institution ultimately must feel comfortable that Mr. Bryant is eligible to compete. . . . The AGA staff (the NCAA’s Agent, Gambling and Amateurism staff) has concerns that the student-athlete may have jeopardized his eligibility.”

Bryant played in only 28 college games but ranks No. 4 on OSU’s career lists for total receptions (147) and receiving yards (2,425). Bryant had 29 touchdown catches, sharing the No. 2 spot on that career list with Hart Lee Dykes. Rashaun Woods is the leader with 42.

Bill Haisten 581-8397

bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com