Milton could benefit after NCAA decision
Knights QB could get more time to complete his college eligibility
UCF coach Josh Heupel’s players all were curious whether the NCAA would grant fall-sports athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When Heupel was asked the same question by reporters Thursday, he declined to offer his personal forecast.
“I try not to guess what the NCAA is going to do or what’s going to happen there,” Heupel said.
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors ultimately voted Friday to approve a measure that gives all fall-sports athletes an additional year of eligibility and an additional year during which to complete it.
It’s a decision that could significantly bolster UCF, giving seniors the option to return. Notably, UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton would not have to petition for a sixth year of eligibility as he steadily recovers from a catastrophic knee injury. The new NCAA policy suggests Milton could play all or a portion of the 2020 season and return in 2021 if he chooses to stick with the Knights.
While Heupel didn’t predict Friday’s decision, he supported granting the extra eligibility — a move that mirrors support granted to spring sport athletes whose seasons were shut down by the pandemic.
“I think it’s the right thing to do,” Heupel said when asked about the potential extra year of eligibility Thursday. “With all the uncertainty the players are facing in this season, ensuring those kids have an opportunity to have a year that they’ve worked for for a long time is important to them. It’s important to me as a coach that those guys get that opportunity.
“There’s a lot of time and energy that’s gone into putting themselves into this position.”
Players’ concerns about burning a year of eligibility during a difficult season marked by potential COVID-19 interruptions were one reason UCF paused the start of its fall football camp for a few days.
“We had a conversation and we’re able to educate them on some of those things really quickly,” Heupel said. “Some of those we told them the NCAA is going to have to answer. When that happened, we kind of pumped the brakes for a day or two.”
Schools cannot cancel or reduce a scholarship if an athlete opts not to play due to COVID-19, according to the new NCAA leg