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Top UC wide receiver ineligible for 2009 season

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By Josh Katzowitz, Contributing Writer Updated 12:10 PM Wednesday, June 10, 2009

CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati football team will have to go into next season without one of its highly touted wide receivers.

Bearcats coach Brian Kelly on Wednesday morning, June 10, confirmed in a text message that the NCAA has ruled that USC transfer Vidal Hazelton will not be allowed to play the 2009 season.

Hazelton had sought to convince the NCAA that he should be allowed to forgo the rule that states a transfer must sit out a season before continuing his career. Hazelton’s argument was that he left the Trojans program to be closer to his ill grandfather in Georgia. Now, Hazelton will sit out next season and be eligible for 2010, where he will have one season left to play.

Hazelton led the Trojans with 50 catches and four receiving touchdowns in 2007, but after suffering an ankle injury in the 2008 season opener, he finished with only six catches in eight games.

He was expected to compete for a starting spot with the Bearcats receiving corps — which loses Dominick Goodman, the school leader in career receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Instead, senior Mardy Gilyard, sophomore D.J. Woods and junior Armon Binns will look to carry more of the load.

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