In May, Kansas head coach Charlie Weis announced that former Miami (OH) wide receiver Nick Harwell would be joining the program, though the question of whether Harwell would immediately be eligible remained unanswered at the time.
Six weeks later, there’s still not a lot of clarity. Citing sources with knowledge of the situation, Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World writes that Harwell will be coming to Kansas this summer “no matter what” even though Miami has reportedly “blocked his path to do so.”
As far as Miami’s side of the story goes, the university did not return requests for response. Harwell is reportedly close -- as in two or three courses -- to graduating, but a previous report from the Kansas City Star says Harwell was suspended from school following an arrest this spring on theft charges (which were later reduced to a single count of attempted theft, a second-degree misdemeanor). Therefore, he has been unable to enroll in summer classes to complete his degree.
The situation is apparently messy enough that Harwell needs an attorney with prior experience of working eligibility cases.
“He’s not going back to Miami under any circumstances,” Harwell’s attorney, Don Jackson, said. “He’ll be at the University of Kansas whether that means he’s playing this year or sitting this year and playing next year. But we’re optimistic and hopeful that he’ll be playing this year.”
Harwell led Miami in receiving yards (870) and touchdowns (eight) as junior in 2012, and finished second in receptions (68) — all while missing three games with injuries. Harwell was also the NCAA’s second-leading receiver in 2011 with 129.6 receiving yards per game, finishing his sophomore campaign with 97 receptions for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns.
He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining when he does suit up for the Jayhawks, whether that’s in 2013 or ’14.