NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Vanderbilt officials say the Atlantic Coast Conference has filed a formal complaint for one of its members with the Southeastern Conference involving the Commodores’ football team.

Vice chancellor David Williams said in a statement Wednesday that the SEC informed Vanderbilt of the complaint.

“We are complying with SEC and Vanderbilt procedures and are conducting an investigation on the matter,” Williams said.

The SEC declined comment and the ACC did not respond to a request for a response.

Several media outlets, including the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post, reported earlier Wednesday that Maryland coach Randy Edsall gave unconditional releases to three players, including quarterback Danny O’Brien, after originally trying to block any transfer to a handful of schools including Vanderbilt. The Commodores hired James Franklin as head coach in December 2010 away from Maryland where he had been head coach in waiting to Ralph Friedgen.

Franklin led Vandy to a 6-7 record his first season.