Mike Williams doubtful for opener - The Orange Mane

FADERPROOF · 08-24-2004, 07:04 PM

Williams doubtful for opener, eligibility uncertain
Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Standout receiver Mike Williams is all but certain not to play Saturday night when top-ranked Southern California opens its season because of continuing delays in the school's appeal process to the NCAA.

After that -- who knows?

USC has applied to the NCAA for a progress-toward-degree waiver and reinstatement of Williams' eligibility.

"Even today there are still some holdups in the processing -- not on our end," USC coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday. "We have done all we can and we still can't get the word as to what is going on. It has been very, very difficult to get Mike back on the playing field.

"It has been extraordinarily frustrating for Mike and his family."

And the Trojans as well, although the presence of talented freshmen wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Fred Davis might make Williams' absence easier to take.

Williams, who hasn't practiced with the Trojans since early August, began fall semester classes Monday.

USC leaves Thursday for its first game against Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Association Football Classic.

Williams caught 95 passes for 1,314 yards and a school-record 16 touchdowns as a sophomore last season to help the Trojans (12-1) win The Associated Press' national championship.

After a court ruled in February that Ohio State's Maurice Clarett was eligible to play in the NFL, Williams left school in the spring, hired an agent and said he was turning pro, apparently ending his college career.

Williams was projected as a high first-round draft pick, but an appeals court overturned the earlier ruling and upheld the NFL's right to bar players who had been out of high school for less than three years.

After that ruling, Williams severed ties with his agent and began the process of applying to the NCAA for reinstatement. He returned to USC, attended summer school and practiced with the Trojans early this month while awaiting word on his status.

He's still waiting.

Without elaborating, Carroll said required paperwork still hadn't been sent to the NCAA.

"Mike passed his [summer school] units, got his coursework done," Carroll said. "Mike has done everything you can do to get himself back. It's been a very difficult process -- it's just been hard. It's still very much in question."

Carroll said a new NCAA rule requiring an athlete to pass six units the previous semester to retain eligibility is at the heart of the matter.

"That's what the requests are about," the coach said. "He has enough units, he has the grade-point average, but he was not enrolled in the spring."

Summer school doesn't apply. Williams left school when he made the decision to go pro.

NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said from Indianapolis that the new rule took effect for the 2003-04 academic year.

"It used to be that it was year-by-year," Christianson said. "If a student-athlete didn't complete the requisite credit hours in one semester, he could in the next one."

Christianson said there is no timetable on the Williams matter, but added: "The NCAA processes reinstatement requests as timely as possible and at the same time as thoroughly as possible."

Saulbadguy · 08-24-2004, 07:18 PM

Hmm..I was pretty dead set on taking VT with the points..but should I call for the straight up win? Decisions decisions...

SoCalBronco · 08-24-2004, 07:40 PM

this is easy saul. USC is going to trash VT either way as much as i want to think otherwise. I would love for VT to win because USC is starting to make inroads in Florida recruiting and its pissing me off but there really is a huge talent gap between these two teams. VT lost alot to the draft this year. They had a standout Defensive Lineman in Nathaniel Adibi that is gone, D'Angelo Hall gone, a big imposing WR in Wilford gone, their best player in my estimation, Kevin Jones...gone and Marcus Vick who was dazzling at WR and QB gone for at least this year. Incoming freshman George Bell is a good back but outside of Marcus Randall there isnt much on offense. What is the line? If its anything under say 12, take USC easily.

Garcia Bronco · 08-25-2004, 08:52 AM

USC has no chance

Garcia Bronco · 08-25-2004, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Tough game for us this weekend. How the heck do you have to start off with number 1 anyway. And the runner-up in the National Championship race at that. I'm not optimistic. Last time the Hokies played in the BCA.....thunder and lightning stop the game right at kick off. We had to watch a re-run of the Hokies killing the Canes 42-10. I was there so it was cool to see the game on TV, but I hope the game goes off without a hitch.

Mike Williams should never play college ball again...he knew the risks.

08-24-2004, 07:04 PM	#1
FADERPROOF Bucknuts Colossus Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eastlake OH Posts: 17,338	Mike Williams doubtful for opener Williams doubtful for opener, eligibility uncertain Tuesday, August 24, 2004 Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- Standout receiver Mike Williams is all but certain not to play Saturday night when top-ranked Southern California opens its season because of continuing delays in the school's appeal process to the NCAA. After that -- who knows? USC has applied to the NCAA for a progress-toward-degree waiver and reinstatement of Williams' eligibility. "Even today there are still some holdups in the processing -- not on our end," USC coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday. "We have done all we can and we still can't get the word as to what is going on. It has been very, very difficult to get Mike back on the playing field. "It has been extraordinarily frustrating for Mike and his family." And the Trojans as well, although the presence of talented freshmen wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Fred Davis might make Williams' absence easier to take. Williams, who hasn't practiced with the Trojans since early August, began fall semester classes Monday. USC leaves Thursday for its first game against Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Association Football Classic. Williams caught 95 passes for 1,314 yards and a school-record 16 touchdowns as a sophomore last season to help the Trojans (12-1) win The Associated Press' national championship. After a court ruled in February that Ohio State's Maurice Clarett was eligible to play in the NFL, Williams left school in the spring, hired an agent and said he was turning pro, apparently ending his college career. Williams was projected as a high first-round draft pick, but an appeals court overturned the earlier ruling and upheld the NFL's right to bar players who had been out of high school for less than three years. After that ruling, Williams severed ties with his agent and began the process of applying to the NCAA for reinstatement. He returned to USC, attended summer school and practiced with the Trojans early this month while awaiting word on his status. He's still waiting. Without elaborating, Carroll said required paperwork still hadn't been sent to the NCAA. "Mike passed his [summer school] units, got his coursework done," Carroll said. "Mike has done everything you can do to get himself back. It's been a very difficult process -- it's just been hard. It's still very much in question." Carroll said a new NCAA rule requiring an athlete to pass six units the previous semester to retain eligibility is at the heart of the matter. "That's what the requests are about," the coach said. "He has enough units, he has the grade-point average, but he was not enrolled in the spring." Summer school doesn't apply. Williams left school when he made the decision to go pro. NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said from Indianapolis that the new rule took effect for the 2003-04 academic year. "It used to be that it was year-by-year," Christianson said. "If a student-athlete didn't complete the requisite credit hours in one semester, he could in the next one." Christianson said there is no timetable on the Williams matter, but added: "The NCAA processes reinstatement requests as timely as possible and at the same time as thoroughly as possible."

08-24-2004, 07:40 PM	#3
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,501 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	this is easy saul. USC is going to trash VT either way as much as i want to think otherwise. I would love for VT to win because USC is starting to make inroads in Florida recruiting and its pissing me off but there really is a huge talent gap between these two teams. VT lost alot to the draft this year. They had a standout Defensive Lineman in Nathaniel Adibi that is gone, D'Angelo Hall gone, a big imposing WR in Wilford gone, their best player in my estimation, Kevin Jones...gone and Marcus Vick who was dazzling at WR and QB gone for at least this year. Incoming freshman George Bell is a good back but outside of Marcus Randall there isnt much on offense. What is the line? If its anything under say 12, take USC easily. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

08-25-2004, 08:52 AM	#4
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 46,001 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	USC has no chance Last edited by Garcia Bronco; 08-25-2004 at 08:58 AM..

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08-24-2004, 07:18 PM	#2
Saulbadguy Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,923	Hmm..I was pretty dead set on taking VT with the points..but should I call for the straight up win? Decisions decisions...