Normally I'm all for giving guys second chances who have made mistakes in life. Take Maurice Clarett for example, who has re-enrolled at THE Ohio State University this summer after serving time in prison. He was a guy that made some mistakes, broke some laws and paid his debt to society. I am all for him receiving a second chance in putting his life back on the right track.
However in the case of former Oregon QB Jerimiah Masoli, I am not so sympathetic. Masoli was a guy that had several run ins with the law following the Ducks' loss to our beloved silver bullets in the Rose Bowl this past January. After he was arrested for burglarizing a frat house on campus this past March (hilarious 911 call), he was suspended from the team for the upcoming 2010 season. He was then subsequently kicked of the team in June after another arrest, this time for possession or marijuana. Most people would think this would end the major Division 1 football career of most players (see Perilloux, Ryan). However, Yahoo is reporting Masoli will be visiting Ole Miss, and if he enrolls in graudate courses there, he would be (somehow) eligible to play for the Rebels this season, immediately making him the favorite to start.
Although there is no rule against this happening, there needs to be one created ASAP. He should at least have to sit out a year or not be eligible to play at the D1 level anymore, or else this phenomenon will become more of the norm. This sends the wrong message to young players across the country, "Hey I screwed up at this school, but since I already graduated I can just go here and play next season with no real punishment". One value I've instilled in all the players I've coached is that when you break the rules, you have to face the consequences, no matter how small the violation is and that's the same message the NCAA needs to send, NOW.
