Jeremiah Masoli Denied Transfer to Ole Miss

Jeremiah Masoli took a harder hit today from the NCAA than from any opposing linebacker, as the former Oregon QB was denied his transfer request to Mississippi. 

Masoli’s transfer request came after he was dismissed from the Oregon team earlier this year.  The dismissal came after the QB pleaded guilty to burglary and was pulled over while holding marijuana just a month later. 

After he was dismissed from the Ducks, Masoli immediately looked into transferring to another D-1 school.  Although in most situations a player must sit out a year when transferring across the same division (meaning FBS to FBS), Masoli sought to take advantage of a rarely used loophole in the NCAA system.

Masoli, who already had finished his undergraduate degree at Oregon, could apply for a graduate program at another school, and according to NCAA rules, be allowed to play immediately.

But the NCAA was ready to call an audible on this one.

Most columnists, myself included, believe that it is clear Masoli was taking advantage of the rule in all the wrong ways.  And although the NCAA is not supposed to take off the field actions into consideration when examining a transfer request, it looks as though the moral decision not to let the quarterback play is the right one. 

Interestingly enough, Masoli doesn’t see it this way.

“I’m shocked and disappointed, I’ve done everything I can to follow the rules,” Masoli said.

Maybe someone needs to remind Jeremiah if he had followed all the rules in the first place he would still be a Heisman candidate at Oregon.

Mississippi has stated they will appeal the NCAA’s decision.  However, with over 90% of appeals rejected, the Rebels will likely have to wait until 2011 to see Masoli on the field. 

In what has already been a trying year to say the least, Masoli’s attempt to regain star stature will have to wait another year.  The quarterback, who has yet to use a redshirt year, is able to practice with Ole Miss but will have to forfeit his right to play this season.