7:55 p.m. -- According to the Indy Star's Terry Hutchens, Indiana and athletic director Rick Greenspan have appealed the NCAA ruling to make transfer Jeremy Finch sit this season.
"IU's appeal is hardship based and cites undisclosed family matters that were involved in Finch's decision to leave the University of Florida and enroll at IU," Hutchens said on his blog.
Hutchens said IU hopes to have a decision from the NCAA within ten days.
----- The former top Indiana prospect and No. 1 ranked safety in the nation was cleared to practice with the Hoosiers on Tuesday.
The Indianapolis native attended Florida his freshman year but broke his leg after only three games before deciding to transfer to IU. In those three games, Finch recorded seven tackles and an interception.
Academics were an issue in Finch's transfer, but the 6'1" 215-pound safety showed devotion to his decision, enrolling in summer classes and performing well enough to improve his academic standing with the University -- and making this announcement possible.
This is good news for the team, but his presence won't immediately be felt as he will have to sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules.
The press release reads:
For Immediate Release August 5, 2008
JERIMY FINCH OFFICIALLY JOINS IU FOOTBALL PROGRAM
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Safety Jerimy Finch has officially joined the Indiana football program and will practice with the team Tuesday evening. The sophomore out of Indianapolis spent the 2007 season with the University of Florida football program before transferring to Indiana University.
The 6-1, 215-pounder appeared in three games at linebacker for the Gators before suffering a broken leg vs. Tennessee that ended his season. He collected seven total tackles (four solo) and was one of three true freshman to record an interception. Finch picked off his pass against Tennessee and added three tackles in the Gators' victory.
He attended Warren Central High School, where he was rated the No. 1 safety in the nation by Rivals.com and the top player in the Hoosier state by Rivals.com and Scout.com. As a senior, he helped lead Warren Central to its fourth consecutive Class 5A state title, the first high school football team to accomplish that feat in the state of Indiana.
Finch collected Class 5A all-state honors in both his senior and junior years. He recorded a team-high 11 tackles, returned an interception 42 yards and had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the state title game his junior year. Finch ended his junior season with 98 tackles, 10 interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He collected near 100 tackles as a sophomore.
