McKnight Might Sit

[jiggafini19]

Based on the rules and experiences I had for five years in the past, this makes no sense at all. There have been others who have not gotten this exception. I'd be glad if McKnight came back in '06, but this seems very confusing based on the NCAA rules.

October 18, 2005
McKnight may sit for season
Pete Sampson


Last month when Charlie Weis was first asked about the possibility of Rhema McKnight sitting out the rest of the season, the Irish head coach brushed off the topic as idle chatter. When asked again Monday about McKnight's status, Weis admitted the receiver preserving his final year of eligibility by taking a medial red shirt is a plausible possibility.

"Rhema and I have addressed that subject already," Weis said. "And to be honest with you, we're going to talk about that, talk to the trainers and talk to him a little bit more this week and see exactly where we are on that one. When I know, I'll say he's about ready to go, or he's not, based off of what that conversation will be. I'll let you guys know."

McKnight suffered what appeared to be a severe knee injury at Michigan on Sept. 10, but the next week Weis said the receiver stood a solid chance of returning this season. Many took that statement to mean that following the bye week McKnight might be back for the Southern California game, but the receiver never came close to full speed last week in practice.

Because McKnight will have played in less than 25 percent of Notre Dame's season –
assuming he sits for the rest of the season – he would be eligible for a medical red shirt. That exception last went to Arnaz Battle after his season-ending wrist injury against Nebraska in 2000. Not only did the extra year aid the Irish offense with Battle at receiver in 2002, but also the added eligibility helped the former quarterback hone his skills to impress NFL scouts. Battle was drafted in the sixth-round by the San Francisco 49ers.

McKnight doesn't need the extra time to make a position switch, but a fifth season could have a similar impact on his chances at the next level. Brady Quinn could be entering his fourth season as Notre Dame's starting quarterback and the Irish will lose Maurice Stovall and Matt Shelton after this season. That means McKnight could return alongside Jeff Samardzija to maintain the potency of Notre Dame's passing game.

If McKnight did return this season, it would leave the Irish passing game with just one tested receiver entering 2006 in Samardzija. The rest of the corps would be made up of Chase Anastasio, David Grimes and D.J. Hord, not including next year's incoming recruits. Hord has yet to see the field this year, Anastasio has yet to make a reception, and Grimes has just one catch to his name.

 

[BigIrish]

didn't grant irons get a similar medical redshirt, or am i mistaken?

 

[Irish Envy]

It would be swell if he can get the exception. I was hoping to see McKnight next to Samardzija anyway, so that would be A-OK in my book!

 

[KMac151993]

Like I said before and was made to look like I was stupid, this sort of thing happens in the NCAA on a semi-regular basis and in this case would be in Rhema's best interest.

 

[BigIrish]

actually, who was the tight end turned quarterback turned tight end? it was at the beginning of the willingham era....he applied for a sixth year of eligibility, but was turned down....i believe the situation was that he hadn't played his first year, played three years, medical redshirted his 5th year, and then applied for a 6th year. people in and around the program were a little surprised that he didn't get it.

the more i think about it, the more i agree with kmac on this....

 

[Irish Envy]

actually, who was the tight end turned quarterback turned tight end? it was at the beginning of the willingham era....he applied for a sixth year of eligibility, but was turned down....i believe the situation was that he hadn't played his first year, played three years, medical redshirted his 5th year, and then applied for a 6th year. people in and around the program were a little surprised that he didn't get it.

the more i think about it, the more i agree with kmac on this....

Godsey?

 

[jiggafini19]

Godsey?

Yeah. that's him.

The rule clearly states that one play would count as eligibility. I'm not sure what to make of this anymore.

But if he comes back next year, I'd be very happy.

 

[dbldomer]

remember, it is not just a matter of whether the ncaa approves it, the player must also be a full time student, undergraduate or graduate, in order to be eligable to participate in a sport. I believe it was Godsey, he reinjured his knee in fall practice. he most likely didn't get it due to academic reasons. If Mcknight gradutes then he would have to enroll in a grad program in order to continue to play. I think mcknight is a psych major and there isn't a nice little avanue to grad school like there is with an acountancy major and the one year MSA program.

 

[KMac151993]

As far back as I can remember following college football I always remember seeing a couple guys a year that were granted an extra year after playing only a small % of one season before injury.

 

[jiggafini19]

As I have posted before, I had a teammate in college get hurt on the first play of the year and was not granted a medical redshirt because he played in one play.

He was in good academic standing, but was a fifth year senior. This should not have mattered. He was going to enroll in the graduate school program and get teacher certified for Phys. Education. But he also had a decent shot at a pro career (NFL camp invite, most likely a CFL or Arena guy).

I've seen similar incidents happen in other sports too.

This could be a blessing in disguise for ND. To lose all three of these guys would leave Shark a marked man. And if Fasano goes pro, Quinn would have to find new targets.

 

[nayers]

shoot, i hope he comes back for another year, we still need all the weapons we can get

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

yeah it would be great if he gets another year. I would not want to see him him come back this year and not be effective or hurt himself more.

 

[ACCIrish]

i definitlely think its in rhemas best interest to puruse this redshirt because it will improve his chances in the NFL plus he'll be there to help out these younger guys like hord, grimes, and anastacio

 

[weisfaninmass]

Like I said before and was made to look like I was stupid, this sort of thing happens in the NCAA on a semi-regular basis and in this case would be in Rhema's best interest.

K-mac, i recall i was one who slammed you for suggesting we redshirt Rhema. I sure thought, based on Weis's initial comments, that he'd be back for Southern Cal. I forgot the school of Belichick on injuries.

McKnight, Shark, Grimes, Fasano sure would make the passing game formidable on paper next year and put Brady in a good spot for #8 (heisman)

 

[jiggafini19]

K Mac, I was going on past experiences and what the rule book states.

All apologies man. I'm confused about this right now.

 

[Guest]

Was it Godsey, or Clark? Whoever it was had big problems because they didn't get into the NFL draft because he found out too late, also many of the teams had already signed the undrafted free agents, so he had to sit at home and wait another year to try out for an NFL team. Not sure how he faired, I think he had a extra role in the remake of the longest yard.

 

[BigIrish]

it was Godsey.

 

[Guest]

yeah i just searched the web on it, Gary Godsey was denied a sixth year of eligibility, mainly because his redshirt freshman year was not for medical reasons.

 

[BGIF]

Godsey's father was interviewed after the NCAA denial and he stated that in his son's appeal they had documented similar cases of players with similar injuries who had sat out their first year and were injured severly in one of the remaining 4 years of the 5 year window. Mr Godsey claimed the NCAA was being inconsistent in refusing his son a 6th year opportunity.

As for Irons he actually played in 5 seasons. He played in 12 games as a freshman, 8 as a soph missing 3 games with a shoulder injury, played in 11 as a junior. As a junior he sustained a leg injury in the Tennessee game which was first diagnosed as a shin injury. He played two more games before it was determined to be a broken fibula. He started two games his senior year then was out for the season due to shoulder surgery. He played 10 games as a 5th year senior.

 

[BGIF]

Next year looks dismal for the offense with the receivers graduating. If McKnight returns and Fasano stays the offense would be unstoppable. And the defense would be lead by veteran CB Wooden.

 

[BigIrish]

i'd hardly say that next year looks dismal for the offense - even if fasano leaves. there are talented receivers waiting in the wings that are simply inexperienced.

 

[jiggafini19]

i'd hardly say that next year looks dismal for the offense - even if fasano leaves. there are talented receivers waiting in the wings that are simply inexperienced.

Tight end is a stacked spot. I like Carlson's ability and it will be interesting to see what Hiben can do. Throw in Paddy The Laddy Mullen and possibly Konrad Reuland, we're looking mighty squared up in that area.

Shark and McKnight can ease the young frosh WR into things. Shark is All America worthy, but you can't ease off on McKnight.

 

[BGIF]

i'd hardly say that next year looks dismal for the offense - even if fasano leaves. there are talented receivers waiting in the wings that are simply inexperienced.

If you're contrasting the offense to the Davie/Willingham years, yes, it's overstatement but compared to '05 no. Preseason I noted that this receiving corps was probably the best in ND history. Not the best single receiver but the best group, the deepest.

'05 WR McKnight, Stovall, Samardzija, Shelton, Anastacio, Bragg, Grimes, Hord, and Woods.
'05 TE Fasano, Carlson, Freeman, Hiben

Preseason McKnight and Fasano were considered the threats with Stovall still a question mark. Samardzija was considered a reliable possession receiver. And it was hoped that Shelton's surgery would return him to the deep threat 25 yds/catch receiver.

So far in '05 Samardzija and Fasano are raising AA talk. McKnight looked go but went down with an injury. Shelton hasn't shown breakaway speed nor the deep threat but has been a reliable receiver. Stovall looks much improved making clutch catches but not yet the premier WR expected. Hord hasn't seen PT and Anastacio was passed by freshman Grimes.

Losing McKnight, Stovall, Shelton, and Fasano would probably be the biggest loss of receiving talent and however much you like the rookies behind them they don't have the talent of these guys nor their experience. It wouldn't be reloading it would be rebuilding with the talent base that CW had to bebuild this year.

Carlson is the closest to being able to fill the shoes of a starter but he's not Fasano. Fasano is mentioned in the same sentence with Macafee, Hunter, Bavarro, and Brown. Carlson might be too in another two years but not next September.

The return of McKnight and Fasano would mean defenses couldn't key on Samardzija and it would retain the height advantage. That offense in '06 would score 50 points a game and would allow the needed seasoning for the youngsters currently on the bench.

 

[Guest]

Weis announces McKnight out for year. Sad to see him out the rest of the year, but this helps us in 06' big time.

http://www.ndnation.com/boards/showpost.php?b=football;pid=388577-HOMETOWNFAN;d=this

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

so there is no question he can return next year?

 

[BGIF]

so there is no question he can return next year?

Not as long as the NCAA and and the ND Faculty Review committee (5th year) agree with us.

 

[BGIF]

When Rhema McKnight’s knee buckled at Michigan earlier this season, Charlie Weis figured the senior would be back in time for Southern California last weekend. But the partial tear didn’t respond as well to treatment as anticipated, making McKnight’s best option a medical red-shirt and paving the way for his return in 2006.

Pete Sampson, notredame.rivals.com, 10/19/05

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

alright...so it looks good for his return but it is not 100%

 

[jiggafini19]

alright...so it looks good for his return but it is not 100%

They have APPLIED for a medical redshirt. Big difference. Don't stamp his ticket just yet.

According to today's paper, they've submitted a request for an extra year. If he gets it or not, that's another story.

If he does, I'm going to do some digging on this. My former teammate years back also happened to be a receiver. One play, torn ACL, done. The first play of the year.

I have a weird feeling he's going to get approved, just because. According to the rules, he shouldn't. If it were practice or spring ball, he'd have a case. I'm not sure how they pull this off.

 

[weisfaninmass]

alright...so it looks good for his return but it is not 100%

The university always has to grant the 5th year so that is not "100%". If McKnight were a problem child academically, they would not grant him this. But - knock on wood - there are no problems.

As far as the NCAA, he qualifies. End of story.