NCAA says Fogal can play in 2018
COLLINS» Jordan Fogal FORT was told he had nothing to worry about. But given that it was his future, he really wanted that final word.
He found out Friday when the NCAA approved a waiver granting him an extra season at Colorado State, news that Rams coach Mike Bobo shared with the team after practice.
“It’s just a good feeling, just to know for sure you get to come back and play another year,” Fogal said after Friday’s preparations for the New Mexico Bowl game against Marshall next Saturday. “Leading up to this, it was kind of iffy, is this going to be my last game, not knowing. But just getting that news, it clarifies everything. It’s a good feeling knowing I get to come back and play.”
Fogal, a free safety, joined the CSU program as a graduate transfer from Utah, previously spending two years at the College of San Mateo. He lost his first season there (2013) with an ACL injury, then was limited to just three games with the Utes in 2015 because of another knee injury.
With that medical background, Bobo and Shalini Shanker, CSU’s associate athletic director for compliance (who put together the waiver request), felt that Fogal’s chances of being granted a sixth year were good. His return means the Rams don’t have to completely rebuild their secondary; the back of the defense will be losing Jake Schlager, Justin Sweet, Shun Johnson and Kevin Nutt Jr.
“We would have lost the five main guys that played,” Bobo said. “(Fogal) coming back and getting experience and really getting back in the groove of playing full speed . ... He’s got to have a good offseason of getting stronger, but his leadership and the way he practices will be a bonus for us for the young guys and the guys we bring in, whether they’re junior college guys or high school guys.”
Fogal has started every game at free safety this season, ranking second on the team with 65 tackles. He has one interception and three pass breakups. He has made a big impact with the Rams this season, but Bobo believes his contribution can be even greater next year. So does Fogal, now that he’s grown familiar with his surroundings.
“I’m so much more comfortable with the system, especially the coaches, the players. We all kind of just jell well,” he said. “We have a lot of guys leaving, but a lot of guys are coming back. We have a lot of young guys in the system who are starting to figure things out. It could be a really good year next year, and having that year under my belt in the system really helps.”
Friday was a good day for Fogal, who has undergone four ACL surgeries in his career, two on each knee. Off the field, he is pursuing a master’s degree in adult education, and on the field, he gets a chance to make up for some lost time.
“It’s kind of like a good karma in a way,” he said. “I’m getting paid back for what I had to go through.
“It’s just good. I get to play football, I get another season. I can’t really put it into words. It’s a good feeling to be back with this team another year.”