By Jerry Ratcliffe
Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris has been denied a seventh year of eligibility by the NCAA, which could officially end his collegiate career.
According to a report by On3’s Pete Nakos, Morris plans “to exhaust all options,” which could include an appeal of the decision or a possible court case against the NCAA, perhaps similar to that of Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, who was denied a sixth year of eligibility on Friday.
Morris threw for 3,000 yards this season and led the Cavaliers to a program-record, 11-win season, a spot in the ACC Championship game and a win over SEC opponent Missouri in the Gator Bowl. He had previously played one season at North Texas, was at TCU for three years (2021-23) and a year at Oklahoma.
Virginia’s case for an extra year was built around the 2022 season when Morris won a three-way battle for TCU’s starting quarterback job, but was injured in the season opener and missed the majority of that year. He came back at the end of the season, but played a minor role in the Horned Frogs’ offense.
He also played only four games in 2023 due to injuries, qualifying him for a regular redshirt season and a medical redshirt season.
In Ole Miss’ Chambliss case, the NCAA wrote: “So far this academic year, the NCAA has received 784 clock extension requests (438 in football). The NCAA approved 15 of those (six in football) and all 15 provided medical documentation from the time of the injury. Conversely, all 10 that were denied (three in football) did not provide the required medical documentation.
“To receive a clock extension, a student-athlete must have been denied two seasons of competition for reasons beyond the student’s or school’s control, and a ‘redshirt’ year can be used only once.”
Chambliss’ attorney Tom Mars said he was not surprised by the NCAA decision but rather disappointed and hinted of further action.
“The last time I checked, however, the only score that matters is the one at the end of the fourth quarter. I understand that Ole Miss will file an appeal with the NCAA. However, there’s now an opportunity to move this case to a level playing field where Trindad’s rights will be determined by the Mississippi judiciary instead of some bureaucrats in Indianapolis who couldn’t care less about the law or doing the right thing. Whether to pursue that course of action is a decision only Trindad and his parents can make.”
It isn’t known what measures Virginia’s Morris and his parents, including his father Chad Morris (just named offensive coordinator at Clemson) may take.
