Several Rutgers football players are under investigation for fraudulent use of credit cards, according to three persons with knowledge of the situation.

Those persons have requested anonymity because they have not been authorized to speak publicly about the investigation and because the investigation is ongoing. They would not divulge specifics of the investigation.

The probe -- which is being conducted by the Rutgers University Police Department -- could involve as many as eight players, NJ Advance Media has been told. NJ Advance Media is withholding the names of the players allegedly under investigation because no one has been charged.

Rutgers coach Chris Ash has not responded to several attempts by NJ Advance Media for comment.

On Wednesday, Rutgers dismissed defensive back K.J. Gray and linebacker Brendan DeVera for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Asked if his dismissal was connected to the investigation, Gray said his lawyer advised him "to keep quiet about the situation.''

Gray's attorney, John Shiffman, didn't return an email or phone messages Wednesday and Thursday.

Attempts to reach DeVera and his attorney were unsuccessful.

On Wednesday, DeVera and Gray issued statements on their Twitter accounts that they were given scholarship releases and were free to transfer to other schools.

Gray told NJ Advance Media he was "very optimistic" about his ability to transfer to another program and said: "I'm just hoping somebody gives me a second chance."

Rutgers' players are cooperating with police, according to the persons with knowledge of the investigation.

Criminal charges would be a blow to Ash's program, which has sought to improve Rutgers' image after arrests and an attempt at a grade fixing led to the firing of coach Kyle Flood in 2015.

Rutgers had eight players charged with various crimes ranging from degrees of robbery, assault and drug charges in 2015.

On the surface, the Rutgers investigation seems similar to one at the University of Florida last October, when nine football players were suspended after being charged with credit card fraud.

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.