NCAA officials have denied the Naval Academy's request to gain a fifth year of football eligibility for wide receiver Greg Sudderth, head coach Ken Niumatalolo confirmed yesterday.
Sudderth was beset by injuries throughout his career and appeared in just 23 varsity games over four partial seasons. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder had his senior season cut short last year by a broken right ankle after just eight games.
"I'm very disappointed for Greg. I felt he deserved another season," Niumatalolo said. "Sometimes, things are too black-and-white with the NCAA. We were hoping they would look at the totality of the situation and the fact this kid has never been able to play a full season."
Sudderth, who began his career as a defensive back, appeared in just one varsity game and two junior varsity games as a plebe due to injury. He played in six games as a sophomore before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Sudderth switched to wide receiver midway through his junior campaign, in which he logged action in eight games. The Georgia native concluded his career with 13 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense, six receptions for 110 yards on offense.
"It's a shame because Greg is a talented player who just wasn't able to stay healthy," Niumatalolo said.
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