NCAA slammed for denying Arizona State football player Jake Smith's transfer appeal
Arizona State wide receiver Jake Smith will not be suiting up for the Sun Devils this season, after his transfer waiver ruling was denied by the NCAA.
Smith, a former standout at Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, transferred from Texas to USC after injuries derailed his career in Austin.
Then, after being plagued with more injuries in Los Angeles, he transferred for a chance to conclude his career close to home at ASU.
But it now appears that he won't get a chance this season.
Per NCAA rules, student-athletes who transfer multiple times without a degree require a degree or a waiver to be cleared and Smith, listed on ASU's roster as a redshirt junior, was not granted a waiver by the NCAA.
More: NCAA denies Arizona State wide receiver Jake Smith’s transfer waiver
More: ASU WR Jake Smith back home, hoping 3rd time's the charm after stints at Texas, USC
Social media slams NCAA for its ruling on Smith, who wouldn't have even been allowed to play at USC if he had remained there:
The NCAA has denied ASU WR Jake Smith’s appeal to play this season as a second-time transfer (before graduating) despite the fact that he was declared a medical non-counter at USC due to a foot injury. He wouldn’t have even been allowed to play again at USC so he had to transfer. https://t.co/PKWYhGxqFZ
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) August 10, 2023
NCAA has been very harsh with seemingly no wiggle room on allowing second-time transfers to play immediately but Smith’s situation is particularly noteworthy because he literally had to transfer in order to play again.
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) August 10, 2023
The NCAA deciding to backdate transfer waiver rulings to render student athletes ineligible, especially ones that made decisions (or had decisions made for them) prior to the updated rules, is absolutely criminal.
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) August 10, 2023
What the NCAA is doing to Devontez Walker at North Carolina + Jake Smith at ASU is one of the most misguided rulings they've ever enforced in their entire sordid history. Both players transfered before these new rules and only played for one school.
pic.twitter.com/SfWcmSd9zg— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) August 10, 2023
Every time I think I can’t hate the @NCAA any more.
— Mark (@cmark12) August 10, 2023
The NCAA not acting in the best interest of a student athlete, I’m shocked…
— Jar Jar Danks (@aholll69) August 10, 2023
NCAA gunna NCAA. Smh.
— Riley (@NickRiley117) August 10, 2023
Let the kids play!
— Aaron (@SundevilFerg) August 10, 2023
@NCAA needs to be eliminated.
— RideWithTyler (@RideWithTyler) August 10, 2023
The @NCAA is the biggest joke organization
— Thomas Eric (@Big_Ez29) August 10, 2023
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 https://t.co/hEuRJimM4n
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) August 10, 2023
Add former National Gatorade Player of the Year Jake Smith to a list that includes @DevontezWalker for players that have only played at one school, through no fault of their own, that are ruled ineligible for the 2023. Jake Smith announced a transfer to ASU PRIOR to the change. https://t.co/wKMiagEYwJ
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) August 10, 2023
Get the AZ governor to write something https://t.co/4kzQFj6ZF5
— Rick Dickson🇺🇸 (@rickdicksonreal) August 10, 2023
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NCAA slammed for denying transfer appeal of Arizona State's Jake Smith
