Former Rutgers linebacker Drew Singleton, who initially planned to forgo his final year of eligibility in order to turn pro wants to play for Rutgers this season, and has filed paperwork to make that happen.
Unfortunately, according to NJ.com, the application for reinstatement has been denied by the NCAA. Singleton and Rutgers are appealing the decision.
Head Coach Greg Schiano sounded off on the situation at the Big Ten Media Day. “What was the grand total of what he took? He took training expenses from an agent. And you’re not going to let this guy (come back)?” Schiano said. “Here’s a guy that wants to come back, provide for his family, he wants to get his master’s. He has an opportunity to do that. He’s an inner-city Newark kid. And we’re going to deny him that right? I hope not. I hope that cooler minds prevail and he’s granted this year. He paid the money back immediately. When he decided he was going to come back, he paid the money back.”
Rutgers football has petitioned the NCAA to allow linebacker Drew Singleton to return for his final year of eligibility, Greg Schiano confirmed. https://t.co/QZ63nI64Ax
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Singleton had initially planned to head for the NFL Draft last season, but when Rutgers (5-8) got a bid to play in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest, Singleton jumped at the chance to play in the game. He wound up hurting his ankle, which severely hit his draft stock as he went undrafted by an NFL team. Singleton played in 13 games last season, starting nine of them. He recorded 59 tackles, four for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Rutgers begins the season September 1 at Boston College.