So much for Internet rumors. Reportedly (by several sources) considered the biggest longshot of the three Longhorns in academic limbo to regain his eligibility, senior cornerback [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag] has been cleared to play by the NCAA. He is eligible to play this weekend against [tag]Texas Tech[/tag].
From the official university press release:
The NCAA academic eligibility issues for University of Texas senior cornerback Deon Beasley have been resolved. Beasley will be eligible to play immediately, beginning with tomorrow’s Texas Tech game. There is no update on the two other players with unresolved NCAA academic eligibility issues.
Before his status came into question Beasley was working as the team’s fourth corner. No official information
It was already pretty much assured but the Statesman has confirmed that the three Texas players in academic trouble did not make the trip to [tag]Wyoming[/tag] for the game.
Cornerback Deon Beasley, receiver Brandon Collins and safety Christian Scott, who were ineligible for the Longhorns’ season-opening game against Louisiana-Monroe, also won’t play against Wyoming, a school spokesman said Friday.
Spokesman John Bianco said the three Longhorns did not travel to Laramie, Wyo., with the team.
Lots of rumors are swirling about all three players. A student-athlete’s academics are a sensitive subject so I don’t want to spread unconfirmed information (though it does come from good Orangebloods sources) but one of the three players is likely to be back, one is 50-50, and one has little chance of being eligible this season. No word on when official news will come from the NCAA.
Not the news you want to hear three hours before the opening kickoff, but three important Longhorn contributors will miss at least today’s game due to academic issues. Wide receiver [tag]Brandon Collins[/tag], safety [tag]Christian Scott[/tag], and cornerback [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag] are out against Louisiana-Monroe today because of “unresolved academic issues”. All three players would have seen significant playing time today, particularly Collins and Scott. Fortunately receiver and secondary are two of the Horns’ deepest spots.
The academic issues appear to be with the NCAA requirement of progress towards a degree, and the reason the news is coming so late is that the players are likely appealing grade decisions to the university. This could be a one game issue or these guys could miss the entire season.
There were rumors about Collins and Beasley, but Scott surprising. He was getting a lot of love from the UT coaches and I find it hard to believe [tag]Will Muschamp[/tag] gives him so many first team snaps at safety if they expect him out long.
We’ll keep you updated.
I’m not sure when or if Texas running back [tag]Chris Ogbonnaya[/tag] is going to be drafted in this weekend’s NFL Draft, but no matter what this young man is going to be successful in life. The official site has yet another great article on Chris’ life and academics off the football field:
When Chris Ogbonnaya came to Texas in 2004, he wasn’t totally sure how he’d fit into the Longhorn football program, but one thing was certain. He was going to take advantage of the opportunity, both on the field and off. The results of five years of hard work were All-Big 12 honors both athletically and academically, two degrees and a chance to play in the NFL. Ogbonnaya will share those experiences as the student-athlete speaker during the 2009 Academic Awards Presentation on Monday at the Frank Erwin Center.
After getting bad news on Christmas, Texas fans awoke to more bad news on the first day of 2009. Three redshirting freshmen did not make the trip to Arizona for the [tag]Fiesta Bowl[/tag] due to various reasons. The three players are defensive tackle [tag]Jarvis Humphrey[/tag], linebacker [tag]Dravannti Johnson[/tag] and wide receiver [tag]DJ Monroe[/tag], all of which are important four-star 2008 recruits. The Statesman reports that each of the players was left behind for a different reason and that none were “serious”.
Unsubstantiated (and hopefully untrue) rumors on Orangebloods are that Monroe is a grade casualty and “don’t expect him back.” That of course would be counter to what the Statesman is reporting that none of the three issues were serious and if true would cost the Horns a possible future dynamic playmaker. Losing Humphrey for the spring or longer would also be a huge blow at one of the team’s least deep positions.
While they obviously would not be playing in next Monday’s game against [tag]Ohio State[/tag], bowl practices are a time when young players gain a great deal experience during the extra practice time and these guys are missing reps. Hopefully all three players are still in school and back on the practice field for spring football.
Kevin Durant wants to earn his degree from Texas. Took one class this summer and hopes to take more next summer.
Receiving his T-Ring: Chris Ogbonnaya. Chris discusses the honor of getting his degree and earning his ring.
Vince Young is back on campus to finish degree. Good for him, he’s definitely setting a good example for youngsters.
Twelve years after leaving school, Texas’ all-time leading scorer Terrence Rencher graduated this weekend. Brad Buckman also picked up his diploma.
Senior center [tag]Dallas Griffin[/tag] was awarded the 2007 Draddy Trophy Tuesday night, an honor often referred to as the academic Heisman. The award is handed out to the student athlete who best exhibits the combination of academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership.
Griffin, who suffered a season and career ending knee injury against Nebraska, graduated last May with a 3.88 GPA in Business Honors and Finance. As someone who was booted out of the Business Honors program I can vouch for how hard it is to get A’s (but it’s actually also near impossible to get worse than a B). This fall he was probably one of the youngest people in the Red McCombs’ MBA program, which usually requires at least 3 – 5 years of real world experience.
Congrats to Dallas who not only played hard on the field but obviously has represented the university well in the classroom as well.