And now we know the rest of the story.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Texas, long considered the favorite to land Max Wittek, was cooling on adding the former USC quarterback to its roster. No reason at the time was given for the unexpected development, although plenty of speculation as to the cause of the about-face surfaced.
According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, it’s as simple as this: Wittek will not graduate from USC this month as expected and will instead receive his diploma this coming December, meaning he would not be granted immediate eligibility at the FBS level as a grad transfer for the 2014 season.
Wittek could still transfer to an FBS school, but he would be forced to sit out the 2014 season and would have just one year of eligibility in 2015 remaining.
Still, the Star-Advertiser reports that Hawaii, which had been holding a scholarship for Wittek, will not be an option for the sit-a-year route. With Texas apparently out of the equation, the only remaining schools that had been connected to Wittek are Louisville and Pittsburgh; it’s unknown if those will still be options.
Wittek could also drop down to the FCS level, play immediately, then transfer back to the FBS level for his senior season. At this point in time, it’s unknown which tack Wittek will take.