#FreeLukeFord didn’t work. At least, not so far.
On Wednesday, the Georgia transfer tight end was denied immediate eligibility at Illinois by the NCAA. Instead of being on the field in 2019, the Carterville native will have to spend games on the sidelines. Until 2020.
It wasn’t the outcome most expected. Especially considering the recent trend toward giving student-athletes a break.
It’s particularly puzzling when you look at the case of former Georgia quarterback Justin Fields. After failing to win the job in Athens, he packed his bags for Ohio State. And was ruled immediately eligible.