Dorial Green-Beckham’s Waiver Denied (Updated 8:20 pm)

Image via Soonersports.com

Ever since Dorial Green-Beckham came to Oklahoma fans have been hoping that the big receiver would be granted immediate eligibility to play this year. But, as of right now, it looks like that is not going to happen. The University of Oklahoma released the following statement regarding the NCAA’s ruling:

“The University of Oklahoma has learned that the waiver request it entered on behalf of Dorial Green-Beckham has been denied by the NCAA. The University accepts that decision and will continue to provide the appropriate assistance to Dorial, just as it does with other students, in helping him grow personally from the many opportunities available to him at OU.”

DGB was running with the 1st and 2nd team throughout fall camp and it seemed there was a lot of confidence inside the program that he may be granted immediate eligibility. OU would have loved to have someone like DGB who could offer a true deep threat on the outside to open up a plethora of other things for the offense.

We have been told that one of the reason’s Jeffery Mead was given some 1st team reps throughout camp was in order to perhaps provide that outside threat later on during the season if he continued to develop.

While this is a bit of a blow just in the sense that DGB would have brought a lot to the offense, there is still plenty of reason for optimism. OU has some nice dynamic WRs in guys like Sterling Sheppard, Durron Neal, KJ Young and others. Additionally, Oklahoma has good depth and physicality on the offensive line and a stable of big, albeit largely unproven, running backs.

UPDATE (8:20 pm): If you’re like us, you were probably wondering if OU would file some kind of an appeal (assuming that’s possible). We asked the OU spokesperson if an appeal would be filed and he said, “This is the end of the process”.

74 Comments

  • Zack says:

    Sounds like my 2nd round pick might be a home run after all.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      so is DGB like Mixon in that he is on scholarship this year? Mixon can’t practice, but DGB can practice just not play in games.

      • Super K says:

        Yes DGB and Mixon are both on scholarship but as you said, DGB can practice.

        • Gary Robbins says:

          Thanks in that respect I am glad. I sense a big chip forming on Bob Stoops shoulder. Big 12 and beyond-beware.

    • Kody K. says:

      And there goes my first round pick Zack! Shucks. DGB could have been the dynamite needed to bring the offense up to the level with our defense.

      • Zack says:

        Yeah and trust me I wanted to see DGB this year because this team is missing very few pieces. Him and shepherd would have been huge leading this team. But I think there’s plenty of leaders on this team with knight, bell, shep, the whole oline. I just hope DGB sticks around for one more year so we can all watch him in Norman. I believe he will get a first round grade even with his issues(if he stays out of trouble and stays in school until the draft process)

  • Borba22 says:

    Welp, we’re 0-3 on guys playing, and very likely to go 0-4 with Mayfield. Awesome.

  • Dude You Didn't says:

    If Mayfield is denied a waiver, then the NCAA is penalizing someone that is forking over a ton of cash to attend a university without benefits.

  • James D-Space says:

    Well horse feathers!!!
    It’s a bummer, but we were playing with house money (so to speak).

  • Nate Heupel says:

    What strikes me as odd is that the NCAA doesn’t seem to have any grounds for denying the waiver if MU cooperated like everyone expected. Really the only grounds for the NCAA to do this is if Mizzou really didn’t cooperate.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      Very good point. I guess no one will know except OU/Missouri officials and of course the NCAA.

    • soonermusic says:

      Maybe I’m completely missing something, but I thought the NCAA indicated that the 2012 guidelines were not intended to be used for players who were dismissed for disciplinary reasons. They were excluded under the “outside the control of the student” clause.

  • Super K says:

    I really think Norvell talking about the emphasis on making plays down field this year was important. With or without DGB they are very conscious of how people have been able to clamp down on the underneath stuff when OU wasn’t effectively running the ball or testing people deep. In the Sugar Bowl OU was able to go deep. Obviously it would have helped having a big guy like DGB but with the addition of the big TE targets…one of the outside WRs is just going to have to step up and add that element.

    • bmrsnr says:

      Any idea on who the deep threats can be?

    • Jackson1006 says:

      Yeah this concerns me the most about our team. We have talent at WR but who will stretch the field? Neal and Woods and Shepard are not burners in that sense.

      • JB says:

        Shepard’s pretty darn fast and athletic. I bet Michiah Quick will live up to his last name.

        Another WR that you don’t hear a lot about that I think will come up big this season is sophomore Derrick Woods. Just remember you read it here…lol

    • JB says:

      Since Norvell wants big targets downfield, this could be an opening for 1 of the young, TALL WRs like Mead, Andrews or Meier (since you guys reported he took reps with WRs as well as TEs a few weeks ago).

  • Won says:

    You guys think he will go NFL next year?

    • Super Keith says:

      I believe (and have believed the entire time) that this was a two year deal between DGB and Stoops/Norvell. I just can’t imagine Stoops giving up a scholarship for a kid that would never see the field. I also think they knew this waiver was a long shot. I think he’ll play for OU next season.

    • Super K says:

      We were always told that the deal DGB and his family had with OU is that he would stay for a year if he wasnt granted immediate eligibility. Obviously that isn’t binding but we were told that it was discussed.

    • Jackson1006 says:

      He won’t get a first round grade with his past if he goes early. Risk of getting hurt and the need to get paid on one hand, and the prospect of leaving millions on the table if he goes early on the other.

  • Mike Reed says:

    I guess there is no chance of an appeal of that ruling? Doesn’t sound like it from the statement made by the university.

  • Super Keith says:

    Not surprised at all by this, and actually think it will help DGB in the long run of life. He seems to be off to a good start at OU (in that he’s been very quiet). I still believe he’s going to play for the Sooners next year, and he’ll be a better person for having gone through this ordeal.

    • JB says:

      I didn’t want this guy at OU, but I hoped he became eligible immediately. The less time here, the less likely he’d get in trouble. Losing this appeal concerns me. Frustration over not playing is the big risk. I hope he’s truly turned a corner in his life and handles his business in the same way Mixon seems to be handling his.

  • Fear The Magic says:

    Hopefully Meade is snarfing down the cheeseburgers fries and milk shakes as we speak.

  • Rees Bear says:

    Rulings not going our way… I think I can guess what The Boz would have had to say about this had it happened in his day. Perhaps those are just my thoughts 😉

  • pitbull17 says:

    Welp…I guess we’re not going to be getting the extra deep threat we were wanting. No disrespect to the kid, but the OU isn’t hurting without Mixon. DBG on the other hand could have brought something special this year. I really hope Mayfield gets granted eligibility, but that suddenly doesn’t look so good.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      Probably not. So OU has suspended 2 ( Mixon and Shannon) and the NCAA has denied 1 (DGB). I heard that Shannon did not practice a lot this week and did Bell really take some snaps at QB?. Reckon the OU coaching staff knows more than what they are saying?

      • pitbull17 says:

        Oh they always know more than what they tell us. They’re going to play it as close to the vest as possible when it comes to what they let the media or fans know. If TFB reported that Bell was taking some snaps at QB I’d almost guarantee it happened.

    • DCinAZ says:

      Jordan Smallwood might disagree with you.

      • Boom says:

        I like Jordan too but he doesn’t run a 4.35 and isn’t 6’6″.

      • pitbull17 says:

        Not trying to take anything at all away from Smallwood, DBG is special talent that has already been proven at a very high level.

  • SoonerinLondon says:

    A shame Mixon can’t practice. DGB, Mixon and Mayfield would have been a scout team O that could probably outscore KU.

  • Dagr612 says:

    I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I think this is the first such waiver the NCAA has denied where the three primary requirements were met. I remember reading a top expert on NCAA regulations state that he expected the NCAA to deny the waiver because he said there was no reason for Missouri to support the waiver, but if Missouri did support the waiver he couldn’t see the NCAA stepping in and denying the waiver. Oh well. Guess it’s one more way OU sets the standard.

  • Matthew Hawkins says:

    He shouldn’t be eligible.

    If you are thrown out of a school for legal reasons you should not be able to go to another school and play immediately.

    The fact is, if he didn’t play football OU would never have let him in as a student.

    How does giving him special treatment help him in the long run.

    • Dagr612 says:

      Why wouldn’t OU let DGB in as a student. His academics are in good order and he’s never been charged with a crime or failed any drug tests. The waiver being denied doesn’t hurt DGB in the slightest, but of course it’s disappointing for OU.

      • JB says:

        Actually, he was. He pled guilty to trespassing instead of possession as a freshman after he was caught doping in a campus parking lot.

        Miraculously (and by miraculously I mean someone called in some favors & used some influence to sweep that one away) he wasn’t charged when he & 2 other males were arrested for trafficking 1lb of marijuana. And after pushing that woman down the stairs, the victim declined to press charges, citing fear of retaliation.

        The last 2 cases didn’t make it to court, but he didn’t get thrown off the team and thrown out of Mizzou because he did nothing wrong. I’d say that’s ample justification for denying admission…

        • lovethemsooners says:

          It’s really too bad folks can’t see the good that can still come out of this instead of continuing to criticize. What if the change in environment is enough for this kid to STRAIGHTEN HIS LIFE OUT? Isn’t that what’s most important anyway? I know, cops don’t think like that. Everyone is guilty and incapable of change in the eyes of law enforcement.

          Dagr – You’re right, his academics are good enough, and despite what others THINK(not know), he’s not a “doper”, and deserves another opportunity somewhere else. I’m glad it’s at OU, even if he isn’t playing.

          • Matthew Hawkins says:

            The good happens after you take responsibility for your actions. Not when you are given everything on a silver platter.

            I am for second chances and don’t have a problem with him being on the team next year, but actions have consequences. He shouldn’t be allowed to fail upwards.

          • lovethemsooners says:

            Not arguing with that at all. His being ruled ineligible is fair. I’m just saying that the criticism should stop there. JB still seems to think this is a bad kid, undeserving of the opportunity he has been given. I disagree and think the change in environment will end up being a positive for him both on and off the field.

          • Matthew Hawkins says:

            He very well may be a bad kid. He certainly hasn’t proven he is a good kid.

            I don’t care about smoking a little bud, but throwing the girl down the stairs is clearly bad behaviour.

          • lovethemsooners says:

            Yeah, but the key word in that is “kid”. He’s still pretty young. We all have made mistakes in our lives and done things we regret. Unfortunately for him, his mistakes are out there for all to see and criticize. Luckily for you and me, we were afforded to make our mistakes and did things we regret without all the public scrutiny. I say let this play out a few years before ultimately passing judgement. If he’s 26 and still acting like that, it’s one thing. However if this change in environment was enough to where as he gets older his mistakes and regrets are behind him, then good for him, and good for OU.

          • ND52 says:

            You can join the military at 17 and you’ll be held accountable for everything single you do or don’t do. The only thing to have saved this guy’s hide so far is he football talent @lovethemsooners:disqus

          • lovethemsooners says:

            I served 4 years myself and agree. However had he joined the military, he wouldn’t have been in the environment that would have lead to the majority of trouble he’s been in. Sure maybe he makes a mistake, but the military has disciplinary actions as well(article 15 being the most common), where he would lose rank, and be subjected to extra duty, and restriction to base. The main difference is the military doesn’t “enable” soldiers like MizzOU apparently does with it’s star players.

            Still not sure what your post means in regard to my opinion that the change in environment for him could end up being a positive thing for him. @ND52

          • ND52 says:

            @lovethemsooners:disqus

            I hope only the best for him and others like him but I guess it just irks me a little when we refer to these guys as “kids” as often as we do.

            Hopefully he matures and realizes his full potential.

          • brainpimp says:

            Just plain false. he didn’t throw anyone . He pushed a door in and she was behind another person and got knocked down. He didn’t even know she was there. You guys keep acting like that one section is Joan Crawford throwing children off a balcony.

    • brainpimp says:

      Not special treatment. He has now been treated differently than the other 3 kids with near identical situations.

    • JB says:

      Uh oh…don’t say that! I made that very same point when it first happened & you wouldn’t believe some of the replies I received. I wouldn’t put on my crimson-colored glasses, overlook his crimes, and justify them with his athletic abilities.

    • Boom says:

      There are a lot of guys who get kicked out of school for a lot of reasons and go to other universitys. Not only football players but regular Joe’s. Case in point, Ms Moliter, think she will get kicked out? I guess you got your answer.

    • brainpimp says:

      What legal reason would that be? The one where he was, no wait a minute everything was dropped!

  • Dude You Didn't says:

    Dorial Beckham should be headed to the NFL in the spring, so he’ll most likely just be a fan on the sidelines imo.

    • JB says:

      Doubt it. With his off-field problems he’ll need a season without trouble and put up some good numbers to go in a high round. I’d be stunned if any NFL team would take him before the 5th round, if that early, with his drug & ESPECIALLY his domestic violence history.

      • lovethemsooners says:

        Not if he stays out of trouble(which I know you think impossible). He does that, keeps his nose in the books, and if he chooses to come out, he’ll go in the 1st round. sEcSPiN is one media outlet that has already called that.

        • JB says:

          I don’t think it’s impossible. I’m just not going to wager any of my $$ that he avoids trouble.

          Randy Moss fell to the 21st overall pick and he continued to play! DGB is good. He is very good. But he ain’t no Randy Moss. With a relatively small sample of stats and one year off without trouble, I cannot envision any scenario where he’d go 1st round.

      • Boom says:

        I guess the NFL is full of choir boys. He stays clean and decides to go and has Stoops endorsement = 1st round. Just cause you want him to crumble, look at this realisticly, he’s a special talent. Only time will come between his past mistakes and what he does for rest of his life. Ease up on the hate, we all saw what Rice did and he only got two games.

        • JB says:

          I do not hate DGB nor do I want him to “crumble”. I have never expressed either sentiment. I don’t think he should have been admitted to the team. Bob Stoops felt differently, so he’s here.

          The very LAST thing I want at this point is for him to embarrass my university.

  • lovethemsooners says:

    Slightly disappointing, but completely understandable decision. We were going to be good before Dorial chose to come to OU to begin with. My belief has always been that this was a good move if for nothing else than to provide a change in environment. Hopefully it’ll be enough to make a positive impact in his life in the long run.

    • soonermusic says:

      The answer might be in Infante’s February article about the 2012 NCAA guidelines for the “run off” issue. These guidelines would be post Masoli. Infante indicates that he spoke to an NCAA rep who clarified as follows:

      “Kelly Brooks, a director of academic and membership affairs with the NCAA who oversees the legislative relief staff gave some background on these waivers.
      This waiver is designed for athletes who have not been kicked off the team for academic or disciplinary reasons. That would be within the control of the student-athlete.”

      Further clarifies that the “run off” provision was designed to protect athletes who commit to a school and then are dropped for football reasons:

      “Athletic performance is not considered within the athlete’s control, whether the team is oversigned, the athlete was “recruited over”, or the coach misevaluated the athlete and they do not meet the standards of the program.”

      Given that reading of the 2012 guidelines, especially if that was clarified in the ruling, I can see why they might not think appeal would be warranted.

  • Dagr612 says:

    I could understand the NCAA denying DGB’s waiver if there weren’t so many examples of the NCAA approving waivers just like this. They approve all others but not this one? Doesn’t make sense and once again shows how ridiculous the NCAA is. I’m certain the reason OU went down this road and felt confident was based on all the other waivers involving players kicked off teams for multiple arrests that were approved.

  • lovethemsooners says:

    Jordan – What does this mean in regards to Dorial’s status with the team this year. Will he still be able to practice and participate in other team activities(travel to road games/bowl game), or does his status more closely resemble that of Joe Mixon?

    • Borba22 says:

      He’ll be able to practice and everything.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Yes to practicing and while I’m not 100% sure there is something that would prevent him from traveling w/ the team for road games, I’d be pretty surprised if that happens.

  • soonerinks says:

    Hey, I’m okay with the decision. Just hope the young man takes full advantage of the opportunity provided by OU and gets his life together.

  • Rees Bear says:

    Sorry for my ignorance or if this has already been asked, but- who sits on the NCAA boards/panels that make these type of decisions?

  • Bob Browning says:

    I really doubt that DGB will play at all at OU. After this year, he will be out of HS for 3 years and be eligible for the NFL. So, I think he’ll go. I don’t get the impression that he’s too interested in school and only want to stay long enough to get to the pros.