Report: Joey Gatewood's waiver status may come down to unique agreement between Auburn, Kentucky
Joey Gatewood is just one of many SEC players waiting to hear news from the NCAA about his waiver to play this season. The Kentucky QB and Auburn transfer, though, may have the most unique situation of them all
Rivals’ Travis Graf is reporting that Gatewood, who transferred from in December, has likely been cleared for immediate eligibility by the NCAA, but the matter is now up to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones said he has also heard the same.
“I can confirm that report,” Jones said. “That’s what I was hinting at last week. That has been true for a while, that the NCAA (has cleared him) but they’re waiting on the SEC.”
Graf is also reporting that Kentucky has a “gentleman’s agreement” with Auburn that Gatewood will not play on Sept. 26 as a way to show thanks for Auburn’s cooperation with the waiver request. That part was not confirmed but it would be a very interesting turn of events, especially in the SEC, though these teams are not traditional rivals.
Gatewood, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds from Jacksonville, Florida, totaled 176 rushing yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns, and completed 5 of 8 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns in eight career games for the Tigers.
We gotta let him play against us. It needs to happen. Everyone wants the absolute best for Joey.
Just let him play.
Does anybody remember the “gentlemen’s agreement” episode on “How I met your Mother”? Hilarious.
HUSSA!
I don’t know man, if it’s getting to the point the NCAA can make decisions faster than the SEC that’s lmao, not good.
So Gatewood can get immediate eligibility transferring in same conference,but Mays can’t? What is the excuse now?
There is no excuse! Some people on here have said, oh you can’t transfer within the conference and be eligible. Well a QB from Clemson transferred to Duke in Feb. and was approved and started Duke’s first game. Blows up that excuse. The real holdup with Mays is Kirby Smart, as most rational people know. Whether they will admit it is another matter.
Brice was a graduate transfer..
Snapshot, I wish Kirby had that kind of power.
Mays is not a graduate, seems no UT fans thinks that applies to their team.
Also, Mays is not transferring due to a hardship. No sick parents, etc.
Mays is transferring due to his low-life Father seeking $3 Million for losing the tip of his pinky finger.
Mays Father did it to himself, and anybody who would stoop that low may even be capable of doing it to himself on purpose. Just my opinion.
Either way it’s not a life altering injury, and who thinks he deserves a dime?
It happens to every team not named Ohio ST. UT is no exception.
Um.. Kirby does have that kind of power Timmy. All sec coaches have that kind of power when releasing an athlete.
wde0012.
Um.. Per the article “has likely been cleared for immediate eligibility by the NCAA, but the matter is now up to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.”
Seems like SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey actually does have the final say in the matter.
Why anybody would think this kid, coming from this self induced situation (His Father’s Bogus Lawsuit) deserves a ‘special waver’ is amazing…
Kirby has nothing to gain and everything to lose. Why would Kirby want to reward such behavior.
Ole Timmy.. I didn’t say that Sankey didn’t have that the final word. I said Kirby has that kind of power like all sec coaches do.
“Why would Kirby want to reward such behavior.” This answers your question. Kirby knows Mays is a good player and isn’t giving a full release, whereas Malzahn did give Gatewood a full release and it waiting on SEC to finalize it. Understand now?
From what I read, UGA did not support Mays getting immediate eligibility. Auburn did support Gatewood.
I see. But why should the opinion of the school they are leaving play a factor?
It doesn’t. It’s a misleading title. Sankey has the final say if he can play at all. The “gentleman’s agreement” is only between UK-AU on whether or not Gatewood sees the field week 1.
It’s a factor with the NCAA when they are considering the waiver. It’s all subjective, but apparently the support from the school is important.
I take it that the Gatewood family hasn’t taken out a frivolous $3 Million dollar lawsuit against Auburn?
Seriously, it didn’t work out at Auburn for Gatewood. Auburn has every reason to help him find success.
Mays on the other-hand had benefited greatly from his time at Georgia, and was already headed toward an NFL career.
Yeah, I wonder why UGA isn’t bending over to help Mays out…
I didn’t say that UGA was in fault, merely pointed out the difference. Maybe the father filed the lawsuit to win support for the transfer, or it was the other way around. I don’t personally know.
It really shouldn’t come down to Sankey on any in conference player transfer being eligible. If the NCAA clears a player and both schools agree to it, then it should be a done deal.
I’d like Joey to play against us.
We want to see a head to head comparison between Joey and Bo. That’s gonna be very very interesting.
I personally have not heard any Auburn players, coaches, or fans express any ill-will towards Joey Gatewood, although I’m sure there are some narrow minded fans with negative sentiments. Joey appears to be a great teammate and did everything asked of him while on the plains. Just didn’t work out for kid. I’m proud of Auburn’s cooperation with Kentucky to set Gatewood up for success and would love to see him play in JHS on the 26th.