VIDEO: Greg Schiano Press Conference, Singleton Denied Appeal by NCAA
Rutgers football Head Coach Greg Schiano addressed the media on Monday, and broached the subject of Drew Singleton’s appeal for reinstatement, which was denied by the NCAA.
Rutgers and Singleton had hoped the senior linebacker could be reinstated and play the 2022 season after what Schiano called a series of “extenuating circumstances.” When Singleton declared for the NFL Draft at the end of last football season, he did so without anyone knowing Rutgers with a record of 5-7 would be invited to participate in the Gator Bowl. After COVID pushed Texas A&M out of the game, Rutgers was invited eight days before the contest.
Singleton decided to play in the game, even though he had already declared for the draft. Singleton was later injured during Rutgers’ 38-10 Gator Bowl loss to Wake Forest, and he subsequently went undrafted and unsigned by an NFL team.
“Not many teams have accepted a bowl game with eight days notice and went and played the game. not that I know of. So when a draft eligible player comes back to play that is pretty special. Unfortunately he got injured. I struggle, I think that’s extenuating circumstances,” Schiano said. “I understand the whole amateurism rule, but eight days’ notice? That’s extenuating circumstances. I am not sure how you can define that other than. I would like them to get a team ready to go, get a plane, during the second biggest outbreak of COVID and say that is not extenuating circumstances. I am not going to talk about it anymore.”
Schiano also added that there is another step that Rutgers could try to get Singleton back on the field, but denied commenting further on the matter.
