Kentucky got some good news on Wednesday, as QB Joey Gatewood was cleared to play right away by the NCAA and the SEC. Why it couldn’t have happened before Week 1 is unclear, but it’s better late than never for the Wildcats.

Gatewood, who comes to the Wildcats from Auburn, confirmed the news in a tweet, thanking both the NCAA and the SEC:

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey cited “unique circumstances,” such as COVID-19, as to why Gatewood and others received instant eligibility.

“It must be stated unequivocally that these approvals are solely a reflection of the unique circumstances present and should not be interpreted as endorsement of the rationale set forth by individuals seeking these waivers,” Sankey said in a statement obtained by Kentucky.com. “These are unprecedented times in which decisions about eligibility and competitive opportunities demand consideration of the current challenges facing our student-athletes and schools as a result of COVID-19. In a non-COVID environment there may have been a different outcome for some of the waiver requests determined today.”

Gatewood, who enrolled at Kentucky in January, might be granted a fourth year since the NCAA isn’t counting games played this season against eligibility.

Gatewood and freshman Beau Allen have taken the majority of snaps as the backups to starter Terry Wilson. Gatewood selected Kentucky last December after deciding to leave Auburn in October. The dual-threat Gatewood amassed 4 touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing) last season at Auburn.

247Sports deemed Gatewood as the nation’s No. 1 athlete in the class of 2018.