Texas safety Christian Scott and receiver Brandon Collins will not play this season because of NCAA academic eligibility issues, school officials announced today.
Scott, a sophomore, and Collins, a junior, did not play in any of the first four games for the second-ranked Longhorns (4-0) while awaiting a final eligibility ruling from the NCAA eligibility committee. The eligibility questions related to whether the players had satisfied the NCAA’s rule for academic progress toward a degree.
Both players were listed as co-starters at their respective positions on the Longhorns’ depth chart heading into the team’s Sept. 5 game against Louisiana-Monroe. Although ineligible to play in games, both players remain enrolled in classes and will practice with the team. Both will have two seasons of eligibility remaining in their college careers.
In a statement released by school officials, Texas coach Mack Brown said: “We’re disappointed for Brandon and Christian that they won’t be able to play this season. But they will continue to practice with the team and work towards earning their degrees, which is the ultimate goal.”
Because Collins never has been redshirted, he can use this as a redshirt season and still be classified as a junior next fall. Scott, redshirted in 2007, loses a season of eligibility and will be a junior next season.
_ Jimmy Burch
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