Palaie Gaoteote's appeal to play this season still being worked between OSU and NCAA

*Editorial Note: The Columbus Dispatch has since learned that the NCAA waiver was not denied, but is still in the process of being worked through. This story was written after the original comments from Ryan Day’s presser Thursday and since updated.

USC transfer Palaie Gaoteote transferred to Ohio State with hopes that he would be eligible to play this season. As time dragged on though, you got the feeling that his appeal to play immediately could hit a snag.

The NCAA has implemented a one-time allowance for players to transfer, but Ohio State has continued to communicate that Gaoteote’s situation does not fit the rule and that he is dealing with a separate eligibility waiver. We’re still unsure of what that is, but OSU had remained optimistic that he would be eligible to play.

That however, seemed to be a problem on Thursday when Ryan Day spoke to the media.

“As of right now, we got word that he got denied,” Ohio State head coach Day told the Dispatch’s Joey Kauffman. “So we’re gonna try to figure out what’s next. It’s very, very disappointing that he wasn’t granted an opportunity to play this season, so we’ll kind of regroup and see what’s next here.”

However, OSU later sent out a clarifying statement saying that the appeal was still in progress. According to an NCAA spokesman that spoke to The Dispatch, “she hopes the case is resolved as soon as possible but cannot give a timetable.” The spokesman declined further comment.

As it stands, Ohio State is breaking in some new blood at linebacker after losing the top four on the depth chart last season. The group played well last week against Minnesota, but Gaoteote would add some much-needed experience and depth.

This has clearly dragged out longer than Ohio State wanted or was expecting, but it’s not over yet. It’s very curious how the NCAA can drag its feet on a waiver request in today’s environment, but we clearly don’t know the full extent of what this particular situation is.

We’ll bring you more news as it becomes available.

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By: Phil Harrison
Title: Palaie Gaoteote's appeal to play this season still being worked between OSU and NCAA
Sourced From: buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/10/ohio-state-football-palaie-gaoteote-eligbility-waiver-denied-by-ncaa-buckeyes/
Published Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:57:16 +0000

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