It doesn’t appear Ty Isaac will be available for Michigan in 2014, but the Wolverines aren’t going out without a fight.
Head coach Brady Hoke confirmed Wednesday that the running back’s initial appeal for a medical hardship waiver has been denied by the NCAA. However, the school is appealing that decision, hoping that Isaac will be declared eligible to play immediately at UM. The second appeal occurred last week; there’s no word on whether an answer will come prior to the season opener against Appalachian State Saturday.
The appeal is based on the health of his mother, who is having complications after undergoing a surgical procedure to correct a hearing loss. Because of the complications, she is unable to fly. Isaac’s mother lives in Joliet, Ill., and Isaac transferred from USC in order to be closer to her.
Isaac also considered Illinois after leaving the Trojans in May before landing at Michigan a month later.
If Isaac were to be granted immediately eligibility, he possesses the kind of talent that would allow him to contribute immediately.
As a true freshman in 2013, Isaac rushed for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 40 carries. Coming out of high school, Isaac was a five-star recruit rated as the No. 4 back in the country and the No. 27 player at any position in the country.