Okay, the world of college football is sports getting out of control!
Last month, College Football Playoff finalist Miami learned they were getting the services of linebacker Mo Toure for another year, his eighth!
Well, Toure has been out done!
And people used to bust my balls for taking 5-1/2 years to graduate!
Because now we’ve officially entered the era of the forever freshman. Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu just got NCAA approval for a ninth season of college football. Ninth. As in, this man could’ve started school with a BlackBerry and is now lining up on Saturdays with teammates who weren’t alive when he first enrolled.
Look, Tuliaupupu’s journey isn’t exactly a straight line — injuries, transfers, medical waivers, COVID years — he’s basically collected eligibility exemptions like Pokémon cards. But at some point, we have to ask: are we still talking about student-athletes, or are we just running a long-term residency program with shoulder pads?
Meanwhile, freshmen are showing up to campus nervous about finding their classrooms, and Solomon’s probably giving directions, recommending dining halls, and explaining where the best parking used to be back in 2017.
Eight years, nine years — what’s next? A tenth season? A retirement ceremony at midfield? A doctoral degree presentation during Senior Day?
So yeah, forgive me if I don’t feel bad about my extra semesters anymore. Apparently, I just lacked the foresight to redshirt South Jersey history with Dr. Dorwart.
Maybe I should look to see if I have any eligibility left…
