Solomon Tuliaupupu's Unprecedented 9th Year NCAA Eligibility

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NCAA Eligibility Issues Highlighted by Montana Linebacker's Unique Case

Solomon Tulia Poou, a linebacker for Montana, who is colloquially known as "Poo Poo," exemplifies the bewildering nature of NCAA eligibility rules. Despite his extended college football career, the NCAA has approved him for a ninth year of eligibility. This decision contrasts sharply with other cases where players have sought additional years for legitimate reasons, such as medical conditions, but were denied. This discrepancy raises questions about the consistency and fairness of the NCAA's eligibility decisions.

Micah Parsons, who entered college the same year as Solomon, has already played five seasons in the NFL, highlighting the unusual length of Solomon's college career. Further complicating the situation is the fact that Solomon, now around 30 years old and potentially playing alongside his son, has had a varied college football journey. He initially played at USC, where he missed significant time due to an injury, before transferring to Montana.

The inconsistency in how the NCAA handles these eligibility issues, ranging from medical redshirts to transfer rules, underscores a broader feeling of dissatisfaction with the organization’s governance in collegiate athletics. This sentiment is punctuated by calls for the NCAA to be replaced as the governing body due to its perceived failures in managing such matters effectively.