Lawyers for Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays appear to have found the focus of their appeal regarding his eligibility as a transfer. Mays’ lawyer Gregory P. Isaacs says Mays was in a “toxic environment” at Georgia.

“Because of a variety of factors, it was a toxic environment that did not support Cade Mays’ well-being as a student-athlete,” Isaacs said, per Blake Toppmeyer of the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Mays, a former 5-star recruit, committed to UGA on Dec. 20, 2017. After 2 seasons with the Bulldogs, he entered the transfer portal on Jan. 8, 2020 and announced a transfer to Tennessee. As an undergraduate transfer to an FBS program, he is ineligible for 2020 without a waiver from the NCAA. News broke Monday that Mays’ waiver request was denied by the NCAA.

“We’re surprised and disappointed it was denied,” Isaacs told Knox News. “The mandate of the NCAA is to ensure the well-being and the future success of student-athletes. Cade Mays clearly meets these criteria.”

Numerous players and analysts and even a politician have called out the NCAA over the Mays’ waiver decision and voiced support for the #FreeCadeMays movement.

Tennessee and Georgia are scheduled to play on Oct. 10. We’ll see if the appeal works and Mays is able to suit up against his former team.