Oklahoma transfer WR Jalen Saunders will know if he's eligible to play this season on Tuesday, coach Bob Stoops said on Monday.
Saunders, a Fresno State transfer, put in a waiver request to the NCAA for immediate eligibility. Oklahoma has not said the reason for his request. Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell did tell the Oklahoman on Aug. 14 that it was personal, off-the-field issues.
Saunders would be a nice addition if he were approved to play this season, but the Sooners should be just fine without him. They released their depth chart on Monday and Trey Metoyer, Justin Brown and Kenny Still were the starters, which is not expected to change if Saunders does become eligible.
There would have been a better chance for Saunders to play immediately had Brown not transferred to Oklahoma. If Saunders does become eligible, he would battle Sterling Shepard for the backup slot position.
What's odd about Saunders' situation, as Jason Kersey of the Oklahoman pointed out, is that Saunders left Fresno State to avoid playing in the slot. New coach Tim DeRuyter wanted him to be a slot receiver and he wanted to stay outside where he had already made a name for himself as an All-WAC performer in 2011.
The chances of Saunders being able to play are likely not that great. Brown was able to become eligible because of a rare special ruling by the NCAA. The most similar scenario recently in the Big 12 might be with former OU receiver Justin McCay, who transferred to Kansas after last season.
McCay asked for a similar special waiver and was denied. The reason for McCay's special request was never made public by Kansas, but KU coach Charlie Weis said at the time that KU "felt the evidence was overwhelmingly in his favor."
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