Chris Smelley considering Alabama

islstl · Feb 18, 2009

Heard it on ESPN's College Football Live

Transferring obviously

pjnchamps · Feb 18, 2009

I thought he already transfered awhile back and will play Baseball thought it was discussed on here already

pjnchamps · Feb 18, 2009

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/artic...A_denies_eligibility_waiver_for_Chris_Smelley

NCAA denies eligibility waiver for Chris Smelley
By Andrew Carroll Sports Writer
Published: Friday, February 13, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.

HOOVER | The eligibility status of Chris Smelley, the former South Carolina quarterback who transferred to play baseball at the University of Alabama, is uncertain, Crimson Tide coach Jim Wells said Thursday at the Alabama Sports Writers Association baseball media day.

“He can’t help us this year,” Wells said during an appearance at Regions Park.

Earlier in the week, the NCAA denied a waiver request for Smelley, but the case is under appeal, according to Mike Ward, Alabama’s associate athletic director for compliance. Ward said a ruling could be issued as early as next week.

“Because Smelley was an intra-conference transfer in baseball at mid-year, the University of Alabama needed two waivers granted for Smelley to compete immediately,” Ward said in an e-mail to The Tuscaloosa News. “The first waiver — a waiver of SEC Bylaw 14.5.5.1 — was granted by the (Southeastern Conference) office. The second waiver — a waiver of NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2 — was denied by the NCAA and is currently in the appeals process. The University believes there are extenuating circumstances that merit the NCAA waiver and will continue to put forth its case. Smelley will continue to practice with the team.”

Ward said that if the appeal is denied Smelley would have two years of baseball eligibility.

Smelley needs an NCAA waiver because of new rules regarding baseball transfers. Basketball and football players have to sit out a season if they transfer. The new rules, enacted for 2008-2009, extend the same requirement to baseball players. Baseball and basketball players transferring at mid-year are not eligible until the following year.

Under the old regulations, Smelley would have been immediately eligible because he did not participate in baseball at South Carolina. Alabama is appealing Smelley’s case, stating the new legislation was not intended to apply to transfers who have never participated in the sport.

Smelley, an All-State football and baseball player at Tuscaloosa’s American Christian Academy, has been working out with the baseball team as a catcher. He enrolled at Alabama on Jan. 12.

After spending three seasons with the South Carolina football team, including a redshirt season in 2006, he received a release on Jan. 9 that allowed him to transfer to another school.......
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TigerBait3 · Feb 18, 2009

He is already in school at Alabama.

http://www.tigerforums.com/showthread.php?t=80831&highlight=chris+smelley

tirk · Feb 18, 2009

palestinians

HatcherTiger · Feb 19, 2009

tirk said: ↑

palestinians
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Less filling.

islstl · Feb 19, 2009

I am almost certain they were alluding to him playing football, since it was a football show, not a baseball show.

I think there's more to it than the stuff we posted in early February.

pjnchamps · Feb 19, 2009

islstl said: ↑

I am almost certain they were alluding to him playing football, since it was a football show, not a baseball show.

I think there's more to it than the stuff we posted in early February.
Click to expand...

It all depends on what his release details are but Im sure Spurrier in allowing him out of his scholarship has that he can't play football and he can play baseball for another SEC school ala Robert Marve and other players. I remember when LSU was looking at him I always thought he wasn't good back in high school.

MikeDTiger · Feb 19, 2009

islstl said: ↑

I am almost certain they were alluding to him playing football, since it was a football show, not a baseball show.

I think there's more to it than the stuff we posted in early February.
Click to expand...

Smelley talked to the media Tuesday, I assume as part of a Bama's baseball meet the press thing. The football angle did come up and was mentioned in the news yesterday.

The Birmingham News

What about football at Alabama?

Smelley, who has met with coach Nick Saban about that very issue, said he would stick with baseball this spring. But he didn't rule out the possibility of playing with his brother Brad, a UA tight end, in the future.

"It's something I'll definitely be considering strongly," said Smelley, who would have one football season of eligibility remaining in 2010. "I always grew up a big Alabama fan, went to all the football games growing up, so that would be great to get to play (football) for Alabama."
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The Huntsville Times

Smelley insists he hasn't ruled out a return to football at Alabama. Soon after enrolling at UA, Smelley spoke with Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban about using a final year of football eligibility.

Though Smelley would have to sit out the 2009 football season because of NCAA transfer regulations, he left the door open for a gridiron return, saying football "is something I'll definitely be considering strongly."

Saban is open to a potential return during the 2010 season.

"He was kind of surprised that I was back in Tuscaloosa that quick," Smelley said. "He said, 'Hey, take your time. You're just getting back. If you want to come out and play football, that would be great.'

"I always grew up a big Alabama fan, and went to all the football games growing up. That would be great to get to play for Alabama for a year."
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Chris Smelley considering Alabama

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tirk im the lyrical jessie james

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