NCAA clears top NFL Draft prospect Quinton Coples

The NCAA concluded today that North Carolina senior defensive end Quinton Coples didn't violate any rules after attending a draft party for former teammate Marvin Austin, reports the Charlotte Observer.

Coples' attorney Robert Orr told the paper that the issue with the NCAA is closed.

"At no time was there ever any allegation or intimation of a violation of NCAA By-laws," a statement from Orr read. "This process was simply the NCAA gathering information relevant to its responsibilities for monitoring student/athlete conduct as governed by the NCAA By-laws."

What the ruling is relevant to is Coples' draft status. Even as North Carolina's program looks to be on the same path as USC and Ohio State, it shouldn't negatively affect Coples' season.

Coming off a junior season of 10 sacks, the 6-foot-6, 285-pound Coples is considered a top five pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. If he can produce a similar campaign as a a senior, Coples could even challenge for the top pick in the draft.

Read our preseason notes on Coples here. For more on this story, check out CharlotteObserver.com.