re: Jalen Cook's Waiver Denied

It sucks for both him and LSU, but it's hard to say this is a surprise. The NCAA was pretty clear when they came out in JANUARY saying the amount of 2x transfer waivers they would grant was going to be significantly reduced. Many players and coaches (not just Cook and McMahon) essentially called the NCAA on their perceived bluff...and they are coming up losers.

I don't know the basis of Cook's appeal, but it sounds like it was some sort of "mental health and well-being" argument (which has LONG jumped the shark, IMO) which I doubt will be reconsidered.

The next question I would have is how close is Cook to graduating? If there is a way he would graduate in December, perhaps there could be an argument for him to be eligible after graduation. The logic would be found in the Wright St. transfer's situation. Kid transfers from Wright St. to Ohio St. last season. After the season, he chooses to transfer from Ohio St. back to Wright St. At the time he had not received a degree from either school. So he was considered to be a 2x transfer not a grad transfer. He subsequently graduates from Wright St this summer. The NCAA grants his waiver because they now considered him a grad transfer instead of a 2x transfer.

Graduating in 3.5 years is not terribly uncommon. If I'm LSU and Cook, I think I would have tried to bust arse and graduate this December so I could petition to be eligible in December.