King could have 2 years as Hurricanes’ quarterback
What the NCAA’s decision on extra eligibility means for UM
The NCAA will allow fall athletes, including football players, to compete in any number of games this season without it counting as a year of eligibility.
It was a decision approved by the NCAA Board of Directors on Friday after proposal from the NCAA Division I Council earlier in the week.
What does it mean for the Miami Hurricanes?
Quarterback D’Eriq King and linebacker Zach McCloud already extended their college careers one more season beyond what they originally anticipated would be their final one last fall. Both decided to sit out and redshirt after playing four games to remain eligible for one extra year of eligibility.
Now, they could see another season beyond that, even if they play in every game of UM’s revised 2020 schedule of 10 conference games plus one non-conference outing amid the coronavirus pandemic. When Miami kicks off the 2021 season against Alabama, King could still be behind center and McCloud leading the defense.
The thought already drew the attention of King, who on Wednesday tweeted “Hmm wow” with a report of the pending decision underneath.
While King, McCloud, defensive end Quincy Roche and others could opt for a sixth college football season in 2021, along with four-year seniors like receiver Michael Harley and safety Amari Carter getting a fifth, one Miami player could even end up with a seventh. Offensive tackle Jarrid Williams, who transferred to UM from Houston like King, is already playing his sixth season this fall after redshirting twice while Cougars.
It’s not just seniors who could benefit. It’s an extra year of eligibility for underclassmen, as well. Those who are juniors in 2020 would still have two years of eligibility remaining. Essentially, any college football player affected this fall by the COVID-19 pandemic will now have six years to play five seasons instead of five years to play four seasons and, in rare cases, may get up to seven years the way we sometimes have sixth-year seniors now, like Williams.
“It’s a good thing because of the unknown that we’ve faced throughout the last five or six months,’’ Hurricanes cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph said on Thursday. “There has been playing for the so much unknown. Every day is an adventure for guys like us [coaches]. I can understand it would be more of an adventure for the players.
“So, for the NCAA to do something like that, I think it shows the heart they have and the vision they have of fixing something that was kind of out of our hands, going through the pandemic. It’s a great opportunity for college football to take a deep breath and allow these kids, for the uncertainty, to say, ‘OK, I do have another opportunity to do this thing over again if things don’t go right.’
“I think it showed that they’re not just robots and it’s not just politics, and it’s not all about the money. It’s about doing what’s right for the game.”
College football’s top pro prospects would likely head to the draft nonetheless, as the NFL is still going to take seven rounds’ worth of prospects in 2021, plus sign undrafted free agents. But those in the ACC, SEC and Big 12 this fall, who are still planning on a fall season while the Pac-12 and Big Ten sit out until the spring, can opt for that extra season if they feel they can boost their draft stock in the fall of 2021.
“You have a lot of guys who felt a little shaky because there are some seniors who don’t know how their season’s going to go,” Hurricanes cornerback Al Blades Jr said. “That is a big thing for a lot of guys around the college football world.”
According to
The
Athletic,
seniors who want to come back next fall won’t count toward teams’ scholarship limits, so Miami can still bring in a full recruiting class in 2021 without the worry of returning seniors pushing the program over the total football scholarship quota of 85.
The Hurricanes also received positive news on the likelihood of playing out their fall season Friday.
A third consecutive round of testing on the team came back with no positive tests, according to a tweet from senior safety Amari Carter that was retweeted by coach Manny Diaz.
Nearby, Florida Atlantic had a setback, pausing training camp on Friday after a “small number” of positive tests on the team.