'05 OH RB/ATH Dennis Underwood (Indiana signee)

[BuckWrestler141]

Not enough time for it, but it would make a good VCash bet. I'm betting 200 against the article above, I think he gets an extension to play football at least since he is 19 all season.


Post your predictions BEFORE the results are told, also if he is allowed to play and has a good season, what kind of chance does he have of an OSU offer, someone questioned his IQ, even with it at 75 he has a 2.8 GPA and a 17 ACT which is goo enough to get in, espically with a good fall term since its unlikely he recieves his offer until its about time Fall grades go out anyways.

Underwood, if allowed to play and does well and Ringer i'd like to make our two 'at risk' players this season.

[BuckWrestler141]

Still no word, thus i'm guessing the outcome wasn't positive... or they have better things to do then go striaght to the internet with the news to keep people like me happy.

[sears3820]

http://ohiostate.theinsiders.com/2/282168.html

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=490 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Court Decides Against Underwood
By Bill Greene Ohio High Scout/Contributor
Date: Aug 10, 2004

In a decision announced this morning, running back prospect Dennis Underwood learned he would not be able to play football in Ohio this fall.
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In an announcement made this morning, running back <!--Default NodeId For Dennis Underwood is 819348,2004-->Dennis Underwood of <!--Default For Louisville is to ignore-->Louisville (Oh.) St. Thomas Aquinas learned that the OHSAA ruling stating that he cannot play football this fall has been upheld in court.

I was at St. Thomas Aquinas high school this morning and talked with Dennis, as well as Coach Tim Tyrrell and teammate Corey Sanchez. Obviously, there is a sense of disappointment, as everybody involved with Underwood was hoping he would be playing this fall. Coach Tyrrell stated his preparation for the upcoming season was being hindered by not knowing if he would have his star tailback but indicated his primary concern was for the welfare of Dennis Underwood. Corey Sanchez, the Knights' two way lineman, was hoping to have Dennis running the ball behind him and indicated that with Underwood playing, he hoped the Knights could make the playoffs.

When asked what his future might bring Underwood replied "I'm pretty sure I'll stay at Aquinas and try to graduate early. I don't really want to go to a prep school at this time."

As far as college plans, Underwood, who has offers from <!--Default For Bowling Green is to ignore-->Bowling Green, <!--Default For Akron is to ignore-->Akron, <!--Default For Ball State is to ignore-->Ball State, and Youngstown State, said he is not close to deciding on a school. He has also received interest from Big-12 and Big-10 schools.

Previously, Coach Tyrrell indicated he wanted to keep Dennis involved with the Aquinas program, in some capacity, if the ruling went against him.

Underwood (6-2, 190) was rated as <!--Default For Ohio is to ignore-->Ohio's No. 22 prospect in the latest issue of Ohio High magazine.

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[wadc45]

I can't help but feel for Dennis. Maybe he and DK will turn into a big 1-2 punch for Akron's backfield...

[MililaniBuckeye]

He still has a chance at some bigger schools if he continues his personal workouts hard during football season.

[Buckskin86]

Canton Rep article on ruling

Judge upholds athletics age rule
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 By SHANE HOOVER Repository staff writer
CANTON — Dennis Underwood will not take the field for St. Thomas Aquinas High School this football season, a judge has decided.

Stark County Common Pleas Judge John G. Haas denied Underwood’s request for a temporary injunction that would have allowed him to play despite age ineligibility.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association says Underwood violates its rules by turning 19 before Aug. 1. Underwood claims that he qualifies for an exception to the age limit because he has a learning disability.

Haas ruled that Underwood, who has an IQ of 75, is developmentally handicapped and qualifies as a “child with disability.”

But allowing him to play on the team would displace another athlete and give the team and Underwood an advantage over competitors, Haas wrote.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Underwood rushed for 1,207 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior running back last season. He also was a member of the Knights’ regional-qualifying basketball team and qualified for the state track and field meet as a member of Aquinas’ relay teams.

The football team’s assistant coach testified that the team is short on players, but Haas said there would be enough players to fill Underwood’s positions on offense and defense.

It was clear that the age-limit exception was intended to allow an athlete with a disability to compete when he or she would not influence the game or even be allowed to play under normal circumstances, Haas said.

“It is a rule of compassion but was not intended to give the top athletes another year of eligibility,” he wrote.

Haas said that Underwood did not pose a danger to himself or other players and that there was no indication of “redshirting” or academic dishonesty. He also noted that running afoul of the state athletic association did not automatically end Underwood’s high school football career because he could play at a school outside the association.

Underwood’s attorney, Richard Bing, said he had not seen a copy of the judge’s decision and had “no idea” what the next step would be. Haas’ decision could be appealed.

OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross could not be reached for comment.