After blocking Corey Sutton from receiving a grant-in aid to 35 different programs, Kansas State has released the wide receiver in his quest to transfer.
The Friday announcement made by athletic director Gene Taylor and coach Bill Snyder comes after a swirl of controversy in which Snyder passionately -- or, as passionately as Snyder can be -- explained why he denied Sutton his release.
"After having further dialogue with Coach Snyder and the Sutton family, we believe that it is in everyone's best interest to grant Corey his full release," Taylor said in a release. "We wish Corey the best as he continues his athletic and academic career."
Sutton confirmed his release on Twitter.
Sutton requested his release from the program in May. In a recent interview with the Wichita Eagle, Sutton said he "presented K-State with a list of 35 potential transfer destinations in early May and the school denied his release to all 35 a week later. Sutton said the list didn't contain any Big 12 schools or teams on future Kansas State schedules. Some were FCS and Division II. Didn't matter. K-State blocked him everywhere."
Typically, schools exercise their option to prevent a player from receiving a grant-in aid to any program in the school's conference or on an upcoming nonconference slate.
However, a list of non-approved schools featuring 35 members was overkill. But, in speaking to reporters this week, Snyder doubled down on his decision by leaning on his reputation.
"I've been around there for 28 years; the young man was in our program for less than two years. I think our fans know what I'm about," Snyder said. "They know what our program is about. I think they trust that."
Then, in a textbook example of burying the lede, Snyder noted that Sutton had failed two drug tests during his time on campus. Snyder also maintained his position on the meaning of commitment, and that if every person transferred out of the program, there'd be no depth.
In Friday's release, Snyder apologized for his comments.
"I would like to apologize to Corey and his family for my remarks last night which included sensitive and private information," Snyder said. "I spoke out of line and for that I express a sincere regret for my comments."
There's Sutton's side of the story and there's Snyder's. Somewhere in between, there's probably the truth. But the lesson here is that, regardless of a player's backstory or a coach's intent and/or reputation, blocking a player from transferring out is almost always a losing PR battle for the school. Before this week, few knew who Sutton even was. K-State and Snyder took their licks and now ended up doing what they probably should have done weeks ago.