Virginia Tech Football: Rutgers Transfer Raheem Blackshear Denied Immediate Eligibility
By Max Magee
Virginia Tech football’s offense was expecting to have an extra weapon added to their depth chart this season, as versatile running back Raheem Blackshear, who transferred into the program from Rutgers in January, was almost a sure bet to be granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.
However, that idea went by the wayside on Saturday, when head coach Justin Fuente announced that the NCAA would not be granting Blackshear that ability for this fall.
The ruling adds another example of the nonsensical decision making process of the NCAA, especially when allowing or denying immediate eligibility to transfers. Fuente also added that the program plans to appeal the NCAA’s decision, which hopefully will knock some sense into the decision-making powers at will.
Blackshear, if ruled eligible, could provide some immediate help at the running back spot after a solid stint at Rutgers, where he tallied 211 carries for 912 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground, as well as being a strong threat in the passing game as well, adding 80 catches for 810 yards and 6 scores.
The 5′ 9″, 190-pound talent from Archbishop Wood High School in Philadelphia was also a 2018 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection by the league’s coaches.