Drew Ott’s decision now in the hands of the NCAA
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Drew Ott’s chance of gaining a fifth season of eligibility is now a decision that will be made by the NCAA.
The University of Iowa announced on Monday that the defensive end’s petition had been moved from the Big Ten Conference to the NCAA.
UI released a statement that said: “In regards to the University of Iowa appeal on behalf of Drew Ott, the Big Ten Conference has granted the UI’s request to forward the petition to the NCAA, where a decision will be rendered on his request for an additional year through the Medical Hardship Waiver process.”
This could be considered a positive step forward for Ott, considering the Big Ten Conference did not deny his petition for a fifth year.
But in Ott’s case, the Big Ten didn’t have that authority. It could neither deny nor grant a waiver in Ott’s case because he had exceeded the 30-percent threshold for playing time last season by appearing in six of 14 games.
The rule says that in cases in which participation thresholds have been exceeded, conferences decide only whether to forward the case to the NCAA, and the NCAA decides whether the student shall regain the season at issue.
Ott suffered a season-ending knee injury in the sixth game against Illinois. He also suffered an elbow injury in the second game against Iowa State and did not return after leaving in the first quarter.
Ott attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this past week to interview with teams, but he didn’t participate in physical drills as he recovers from left elbow surgery and right knee surgery.
The 6-foot-4, 272-pounder made second-team all-Big Ten as a junior in 2014. Ott also was performing at an all-conference level last season before being injured.
Ott told Cleveland.com in Indianapolis that he expected a decision in about two weeks.
It has been over three months since Ott filed his appeal.