Miami Nixes Football Player's Transfer

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The New York Post

 

After four years at the University of Miami, Gus Edwards has fulfilled his duty as a student-athlete. He is on pace to graduate in May with an undergraduate degree in liberal arts and has accepted his role as a backup running back. Now, with one year of eligibility left, the former Tottenville High School star wants to be closer to home to be able to receive family support for his recently born son and get an opportunity as a feature back.

There's only one problem: The Staten Island native is being blocked by Miami from transferring to either of the two programs that interest him the most - Pittsburgh and Syracuse - a source close to him told The Post, because those two programs are on the Hurricanes' schedule next season. Considering Miami coach Mark Richt's history, this comes as a surprise.

Richt said in August he didn't block transfers because "life is too short." While head coach at Georgia in 2012, Richt made a similar statement and he never blocked a transfer to a specific school while with the Bulldogs from 2001-15. He even allowed Georgia transfers to go to SEC rivals such as Alabama and Auburn.

"I want our guys to stay, and sometimes when they do choose to leave, I still like the kid and I still want the kid to have success," he said in 2012. "If he thinks he will have success at a school you compete against, then so be it."

The issue, however, may be out of Richt's control. Miami athletic director Blake James said in an interview with the Palm Beach Post it is school policy not to allow student athletes to transfer to upcoming opponents.

"Institutionally, our policy has been that we would not do that for a school we're going to play in the upcoming season," James said.

Edwards has declined comment on the matter, but the source believes Miami should rethink it's stance.

"It's a shame that after four years of Gus doing everything right by Miami and their football program they would limit his options to go to either Syracuse, his home-state school, or Pitt, who has a recent history of a dominant run game," the source said.

Edwards ran for 977 yards and 12 touchdowns on 186 carries in three seasons at Miami, and received a medical redshirt following his sophomore season because of a foot injury.

Syracuse would seem like the perfect fit for Edwards. He initially committed to the Orange while in high school, but decommitted and signed with the Hurricanes when Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone went to the NFL's Bills.

In his first season at Syracuse this past year, head coach Dino Babers installed an offense that could use a a power back like the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Edwards.

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January 25, 2017
 
 
 

 

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