Almost three months to the day that his transfer to USC became public, Josh Shaw has learned that he won’t have to stand on the Trojans’ sideline in 2012 after all.
On its Twitter account Thursday night, USC announced that the defensive back has been granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA and will be eligible to play for the Trojans beginning this season. The decision was nearly a no-brainer for the NCAA; Shaw, who went to high school just outside of Los Angeles, decided to transfer from Florida in late November due to health issues involving close family members -- his grandfather has a terminal lung disease while his father is undergoing knee replacement surgery.
“This is like the happiest day of my life,” Shaw said in reaction to the news that he’d been granted a waiver.
Shaw, who was eligible to participate in USC’s spring practice but has been unable due to a rib injury, will be a redshirt sophomore this season and, counting 2012, will have three years of eligibility remaining.
“It’s good for the team because he’s such a neat kid,” head coach Lane Kiffin said. “He really does a lot outside of here. Just really happy for him.”
A four-star member of UF’s 2010 recruiting class, Shaw was rated as the No. 3 cornerback in the country by Rivals.com. He played in 10 games for the Gators this past season.