A highly touted recruit coming out of high school, former Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage hasn’t quite had the collegiate career many thought he would. After transferring from the Scarlet Knights earlier this year to Arizona, Savage announced earlier this month through the school that he would be leaving the program after just one semester – he redshirted this year – shortly after the Wildcats hired former West Virginia and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
The belief is that Savage’s decision to move on from his second school was because he wasn’t a fit in Rodriguez’s offense; the quarterback and Rodriguez have both stated that’s not the case, and that it was a decision made so Savage could be closer to his family.
Whatever the real reason, Savage is moving on to his third school in as many years. One potential destination for Savage could be, of all places, back at Rutgers, the New Jersey Press Media reports citing sources close to RU. Since Savage was replaced with Chas Dodd last season, the Scarlet Knights haven’t quite settled their QB situation between Dodd and Gary Nova.
But if Savage were to head back to the Scarlet Knights – or, any Division 1-A program for that matter – he would have to sit out yet another year per NCAA rules. However, a source told the NJPM that Savage is looking into a hardship waiver from the NCAA that would allow him to keep two years of eligibility.
If that waiver is denied, Savage would have to transfer to a 1-AA or DII program if he’s going to keep two years of eligibility.
Hey Savage, are you interested in having a pretty good chance of winning a starting job? Texas says hi.
I hope they grant the kid his hardship waiver, but if not, there are a fair amount of FCS schools,although I am not sure how many are in the North east, that would most likely be glad to have him. Just make sure that he checks out the coaches real well, and the facilities that they have.