A couple of months worth of uncertainty concerning the eligibility of Jarvis Jones has apparently been resolved, and in a positive way for both the linebacker and the Georgia football program.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting Tuesday morning that Jones has been cleared by both the SEC and the NCAA, meaning he will be eligible to play during the upcoming season. The school has yet to confirm the ruling, but a statement is expected as early as this afternoon regarding Jones’ eligibility.
Jones had been the subject of a school investigation looking into the validity of a police report that alleges a Georgia Parks and Recreations Director opened up and used an impermissible bank account to illegally pay for airfare for Jones between Atlanta and Los Angeles in summer, 2009. Other items were involved that may have been construed as impermissible benefits, including a laptop.
UGA turned over the findings of its investigation to the SEC late last month.
Jones announced in June of 2010 that he was transferring from USC after he was not given medical clearance by the school’s medical team following what was described by Lane Kiffin as a career-threatening neck injury. Two weeks later, however, he was cleared by UGA’s medical staff and transferred back to his home state. He sat out the 2010 season in order to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.
Jones was a four-star recruit out of Columbus, Ga., in 2009 and was the No. 4 defensive end in the country according to Rivals.com, and is expected to be one of the Bulldogs’ starting linebackers.