Boulder – Colorado running back Mell Holliday, who burst onto the scene as a walk-on and has been one of the most impressive players in preseason camp, may have seen the end of his playing days before they even began.
According to Holliday on Thursday night, the NCAA has declared him ineligible this season, citing the one-year-in- residency rule. That rule states if a player transfers from a four-year college to an NCAA school, he must complete one academic year before playing or receiving traveling expenses from the new school.
Beginning in 2002, Holliday played two seasons at Wayne (Neb.) State, a Division II school. In the spring of 2004, he transferred to the University of Nebraska, where he tried out but did not make the football team that fall. After finishing spring 2005 classes in Lincoln, Holliday transferred to Colorado, he says, “with the understanding that I’d be able to play.”
After tearing through the first half of preseason practices, Holliday was offered a scholarship this week by coach Gary Barnett. In finalizing the paperwork, the NCAA once more looked at Holliday’s eligibility, and apparently denied it.
“All the times before my scholarship got offered, my eligibility was fine,” Holliday said. “Now, all of a sudden, my eligibility is no good. I’ve sat out a year and a half. Now, they are talking about I’m going to have to sit out another year. I’m not understanding that.”
CU is appealing the decision. Holliday said he has an appellate meeting today but has been told a final ruling wouldn’t be rendered for two weeks to one month. That puts him out of Colorado’s season opener against Colorado State on Sept. 3 and possibly more.
Academically, Holliday said he’s up to date. He said he has 73 credits, which qualifies him to be a junior at CU. He says his grade-point average is just under a 3.0.
“I’ve done everything possible academically so that I’ll be eligible,” he said.
Holliday impressed coaches this month with eye-opening play. With thin numbers at tailback, Holliday was the talk of camp, working his way from walk-on to No. 3 tailback behind Hugh Charles and Byron Ellis. Now, fullback Lawrence Vickers is being prepared as CU’s third tailback.
As for Holliday, he’s mulling whether even to stay at Colorado if his appeal is denied.
“It’s frustrating, especially for all of the hard work I’ve been putting in just to be able to play,” he said. “I get offered a scholarship, the best day of my life, and then this. All day, it’s been going through my head. I might not even be here. To sit out 2 1/2 years to play one year is kind of frustrating. I want to play so bad, but I don’t know just yet.”
Footnote
Colorado still has 4,500 tickets remaining for the CSU game. CSU, meanwhile, has sold its allotment of 3,500 tickets.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
