When last we saw Montel Harris, the Boston College running back had been shut down for the season due to a lingering knee issue. That move seemingly cost the senior a shot at setting the ACC record for career rushing yards.
As it turns out, no shot was cost at all.
In a release, BC announced that Harris, along with four of his teammates, had been granted a medical hardship waiver due to the injuries incurred during the 2011 season. The ACC informed the school of the decision on Friday.
“This is fantastic news,” athletic director Gene DeFilippo said in a statement. “We’re talking about [five] outstanding young men whose seasons were cut short by injury. I would also like to thank the Compliance staffs at Boston College and the ACC for their diligent efforts throughout this process.”
For those curious as to why Harris was granted another season of eligibility, NCAA bylaws state that medical hardship waivers may be granted to players with season-ending injuries who have appeared in fewer than 30 percent of their team’s competitions, with none coming after the midway point of the season. Harris only played in two games this season (less than 17 percent), none of which came after the sixth game of the year.
Entering the season just 1,003 yards from setting the ACC’s rushing record, Harris had rushed for 135 yards this year in the two games in which he played. He missed the first three games due to a knee injury that had lingered since the previous season, then played the next two games before being shut down for the remainder of the season.
Provided he’s healthy, Harris will go into the 2012 season needing 868 yards to break the standard set by North Carolina State’s Ted Brown in the late 70s.
In addition to Harris, Kaleb Ramsey, Ifeanyi Momah, C.J. Jones and Connor Wujciak were also granted medical hardship waivers.