Georgia Bulldogs: Tough Break for Trinton, What's Next for Georgia?

Photo Credit: DAVID MANNING

Trinton Sturdivant is out for the 2011season. He tore the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in his right knee during Saturday's scrimmage and will spend the next year rehabbing.

Because Sturdivant took a medical redshirt in 2008—a player who uses his redshirt season for medical reasons is eligible to apply for a medical hardship year—he could possibly receive a sixth year of eligibilty from the NCAA based on his circumstances.

Medical Hardship Waivers

In order to be eligible for a medical hardship waiver, a student-athlete must have competed in at least one contest in the first half of the season, but no more than three contests or 30%, whichever is greater (14.2.4). The total number of contests is calculated by the schedule on the first date of competition. Participation in Conference postseason is counted as one competition.

If a student-athlete is unable to compete at all during an entire season because of an injury or illness, the student-athlete may not file for a medical hardship waiver. In this case, the season would be considered a medical redshirt season.

If the student-athlete has two or more seasons of medical redshirt because of an injury or illness (or one season of medical redshirt and one season of medical hardship), the Compliance Office can file for an extension of the five-year clock (a sixth year) only after the student-athlete has reached the end of the existing five-year clock [emphasis added].

However, much of this seems unlikely given Sturdivant's flirtation with the NFL this past season. He may want to take this opportunity to get strong and apply for next year's draft in hopes of having a ahot at playing in the pros.

We'll have to wait and see what happens here, but it's most likely Sturdivant has played his last game at the University of Georgia.

That said, the next question is what will Georgia do at left tackle?

Cordy Glenn appears to be the best option as he has experience playing the position, but if he moves from right tackle—a position he is admittedly more comfortable playing—Georgia will have to find someone to take his place. Some choices, according to Anthony Dasher of UGASports.com, would be Austin Long, Kolton Houston, and Justin Anderson.

Kolton Houston is a redshirt freshman with plenty of talent, but he seems best built to play offensive guard due to his average pass-blocking skills. He has impressed offensive line coach, Will Friend, in practices thus far, but it seems doubtful he would be ready to play right tackle this season. That said, he has gotten some looks all across the line this spring and remains a legitimate option—even if only as a reserve.

Justin Anderson has moved back to the offensive line after one season of trying his wares on defense, and while he's adjusted well to being back in his natural element, he's practiced solely at guard this spring. Add to that, Anderson has a lengthy injury history—he missed a majority of 2010 with a turf toe—and may not be physically ready for the rigors of playing on the outside.

Austin Long is the wild card of this bunch. He was highly touted when he arrived at Georgia, but has been besieged by injuries and hasn't contributed much. This is his first spring of really giving it a go and he's already had to miss some time with a sore shoulder.

Those are Georgia's best options for the moment, but there is still the possibility they could find their solution when the 2011 signees enroll—Watts Dantzler, Zach DeBell, and Xzavier Ward among them.

Looks like coach Friend has a lot more work yet to do this spring.

Related articles

• Gerogia Bulldogs OT Trinton Sturdivant has torn right ACL, will miss season (sports.espn.go.com)
• Heartbreak v3.0: UGA lineman suffers another ACL tear (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

College Football: Arkansas Legislators Want New Rules After Newton Scandal

It looks like the lawmakers of Arkansas want to see some major changes in the way sports-agents are penalized for "rogue" behavior—at least by their state.

According to published reports, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is introducing new legislation that would make it a "Class D felony for agents or their representatives to induce student-athletes to sign a contract by furnishing goods or services of value".

The bill would also "make it illegal for parents or others to seek the same illegal financial benefits in exchange for the promise of a student-athlete's commitment to a college or university athletic program."

Hmmm, sounds like Mr. McDaniel may not be too happy that his alma mater's (no surprise here, it's the University of Arkansas) shot at BCS glory was thwarted by a team many still feel was winning games with a dirty player who should have been deemed ineligible—Auburn.

Not that this was his only motivation for pushing the bill—sponsored by David J. Sanders—said McDaniel,

"Sports agents need to know that we in Arkansas will not tolerate them coming into our state, breaking the law, and jeopardizing the future of our student-athletes...further, we're going to make sure that our kids aren't used as pawns by their parents or others who think they can get away with selling their services to the highest bidder."

Wow, that language sure sounds pointed, no? He goes on to say,

"NCAA penalties could cost the hotel owner in Fayetteville or the convenience store owner in Jonesboro, all because of the actions of some unethical sports agent from outside the state...we support this legislation because we want our local economies to thrive and we want our student-athletes and our universities to be protected. It just makes for a better experience all around when everybody plays by the rules."

Well, not for nothing, Mr. McDaniel, but your head coach isn't exactly a saint himself—just saying.

If put into place, the penalties could be pricey if an agent or agent-representative is found in violation. The current penalty is $50,000 per offense, that would increase to $250,000 under this new law.