Tennessee’s Cade Mays ruled eligible: the saga is (almost) over

The NCAA has ruled Cade Mays eligible to play for the Tennessee Volunteers this season after transferring from the University of Georgia.

Tennessee’s appeal of Cade Mays’ eligibility is successful. Mays will be able to play for the Volunteers this season, assuming the SEC approves his transfer for immediate eligibility. It’s anticipated that the SEC will approve the transfer because players won’t lose a year of eligibility this season, even if they do play.

The NCAA originally denied the immediate eligibility request of former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Cade Mays. Now, the NCAA is reversing their first decision and will allow Mays to play. Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt previously stated the school planned to appeal the NCAA’s first decision.

Mays, who committed to UGA as a five-star recruit in the class of 2018, announced his intentions to transfer to Tennessee and play for the Vols following Georgia’s Sugar Bowl victory over Baylor. Mays is from Knoxville and has a brother, Cooper, who plays for the Vols.

The Georgia Bulldogs face the Tennessee Volunteers on Oct. 10 this season in Athens. This is certainly a storyline to follow for that contest.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

 

Jay Bilas criticizes NCAA following Cade Mays’ denied eligibility

The NCAA has denied the immediate eligibility request of former UGA offensive lineman Cade Mays. Jay Bilas criticized the decision.

The NCAA has denied the immediate eligibility request of former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Cade Mays. Mays is trying to play this season in Knoxville with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt stated that the school plans to appeal the NCAA’s decision.

Mays, who committed to UGA as a five-star recruit in the class of 2018, announced his intentions to transfer to Tennessee and play for the Vols following Georgia’s Sugar Bowl victory over Baylor. Mays is from Knoxville and has a brother, Cooper, who plays for the Vols.

ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas spoke out regarding the denial of Mays’ transfer request. Bilas sides with Mays. He thinks Mays should be immediately eligible. The NCAA is inconsistent on transfer rulings and that’s a source of both his and college sports fans’ frustration with the NCAA.

Here’s what Jay Bilas said on Twitter:

The NCAA has been frequently ruling quarterbacks immediately eligible, including Georgia’s J.T. Daniels. Alternatively, the NCAA is known to be tougher on transfers within the same conference.

One key difference between Cade Mays and J.T. Daniels is that Daniels missed much of the 2019 season with an injury. Mays on the other hand played throughout last season and didn’t miss much action.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]