Florida State University transfer Darrell Jackson has yet to play this season because of an issue with getting an eligibility waiver approved by the NCAA.
Jackson, who started his career in Maryland in 2021, transferred to the University of Miami last season, before joining the Noles in August.
The NCAA has strict rules when it comes to how many times players can transfer schools. In most cases, college athletes who move more than once must sit out for a season. But Jackson wants the board to reconsider. He argues the transfers were only to be closer to his mother, who he says has medical conditions. But the NCAA has yet to see that as being enough.
FSU football head coach Mike Norvell called the decision “disappointing” during his team’s fall training camp.
“I’m extremely disappointed for that young man you know," said Norvell. "Just the journey and the reason on why he’s here, its just sad that he’s missed games.”
Norvell isn’t the only Seminole upset. Just a day before Saturday’s football game, Jimmy Patronis, a Florida State alum and now state CFO, called the NCAA out for being “out-of-touch hypocrites.”
The @NCAA are a bunch of out-of-touch hypocrites. NC threatens antitrust allegations and they punted to save face on their terrible decision. #FSU’s Darrell Jackson must play NOW. We’ll take legal action soon if they don’t reverse course. #FlaPol https://t.co/1uXwHpOPOd
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) October 6, 2023
He points to a similar situation involving a North Carolina player who recently was granted playing time after a controversial ruling by the association.
Patronis is now gearing up for a legal battle with the NCAA’s front office to ensure his fellow Nole gets to play immediately.