Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz criticized the NCAA on Wednesday for its handling of the Iowa DL Drew Ott case.
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“Drew has just done a great job and it’s a tough situation, ” Ferentz said. Beyond that, I am disappointed with the decision and also disappointed at the process.
Again, I was a little bit hopeful and mildly optimistic this ruling would go the other way. Ott, in the sixth game of his senior season, tore his ACL in a victory over IL. “But I’m very thankful for the coaches and everyone here who helped with my rehab”. Ott – and Iowa – argued that Ott should receive a fifth year of eligibility because while he technically played in nearly half of Iowa’s games last year, he played very sparingly in many of those games.
“He’s a warrior. He’s a classic Hawkeye, the type of guy I would have loved to play with”. That is until Wednesday, when the news finally came down that Ott wouldn’t get a fifth year of eligibility.
Ott entered Iowa’s starting lineup in 2013, making 50 tackles.
Ott was named second-team All-Big Ten after the 2014 season when he led the team in tackles for loss with 12 and sacks with eight. Last season, Ott had five sacks in six games before injuries forced him to the sidelines.
Former Hawkeye star Matt Bowen, who now writes about the NFL for ESPN, echoed that sentiment and emphasized his faith that Ott will find a way to enjoy a productive professional football career.
The injury alone could be enough to push Ott off some draft boards, but this is a really good football player.
“You’ve already got so many hours that teams have spent on this, and they’re putting their final (draft) boards together, and then you get a new name thrown in”.
Ott plans to hire an agent and begin the process of turning pro.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around, one of the best leaders we had on our team past year, ” Beathard said.
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Ott said the rehab from his ACL injury is going well, and Ferentz expressed plenty of confidence that Ott will succeed at the next level.
