not that kiffin has any more credibility than cecil newton,but here is an article quoting clk on the subject:
Nov. 11--Lane Kiffin is a long way from Southeastern Conference country, watching from afar as the Cam Newton saga unfolds at Auburn.
As Tennessee's coach, Kiffin recruited Newton when the Florida transfer was playing in junior college. Kiffin, hired by USC in January, said the quarterback and his father made an unofficial visit to Knoxville.
"We didn't offer him a scholarship, which doesn't make me look very smart, but we did talk to him," Kiffin said Wednesday. "We just went in a different direction. He was a very exciting player that wasn't necessarily a perfect system fit for what we were doing, but we knew he would be great in other systems."
The controversy surrounding Newton, a Heisman Trophy frontrunner, began last week. ESPN and the New York Times reported that a former Mississippi State player said a person claiming to represent the Newton family had sought money from the school to land the quarterback.
Asked if the Newtons, or someone claiming to represent the family, ever said money would be required for Tennessee to sign Newton, Kiffin said, "No."
Kiffin said his experience in the football-crazy SEC -- "You hear so many things down there" -- gave him a unique perspective.
"I remember so many things said about me that weren't accurate," Kiffin said. "It was a good lesson learned. If something comes on the radio or in print, I don't think there are any facts to it at all until someone shows some proof. This is a perfect example."