QB Jeremiah Masoli's shot of playing at Ole Miss got a little blurry yesterday as the NCAA denied his waiver
Jeremiah Masoli’s eyes popped out of his head like a love-struck cartoon werewolf when he found out Houston Nutt wanted him playing at Ole Miss come 2010. Unfortunately, the NCAA nixed Masoli’s waiver plans and the troubled youth will be forced to redshirt this season if his appeal, which will most likely be, denied.
Masoli was attempting to take advantage of the NCAA waiver rule in which a player does not have to sit out a season if he transfers to a graduate degree program that isn’t offered at his prior institution. Masoli opted to transfer to Ole Miss to earn a degree in Parks and Recreation Management which is not offered at Oregon.
The NCAA was well aware of Masoli’s true intentions of coming to Ole Miss so he could play immediately. In most cases this would be acceptable, however, Masoli’s selfish style was to transfer because Chip Kelly suspended him for the 2010 season as a result of his continued legal problems. Masoli was first involved with burglary and then later picked up for drug possession. Kelly gave Masoli a stern lecture and disciplined him appropriately, but the troubled triggerman failed to obey and continued his recluse ways.
Ole Miss and Masoli were obviously disappointed in the denial and they said an appeal is forthcoming. Coach Nutt believes the ruling was wrong and Masoli deserves a second chance. What Nutt really meant was that Ole Miss only has two scholarship QBs who are questionable at best. For any success, the team needs Masoli on the field.
The thing is, the NCAA is giving Masoli a third chance by even allowing him to play college ball. This denial should be taken as a lesson learner. Masoli must understand you don’t have the right to play football you have the privilege and all he has ever done since his Pop Warner days was take advantage of the situation. Masoli should sit this one out and focus on resolving his propensity to commit crimes. There is a lot of talent in Masoli’s arm, but if it’s not harnessed and his attitude isn’t checked, he will only continue to disappoint.
The NCAA did the right thing in denying Masoli’s case and the governing body should be applauded for its decision. Any other ruling would have been a disappointment.
