It’s a question that can’t be answered until the NCAA clears Jerrell Powe’s academic eligibility, but it’s a question many schools in the SEC would like to answer. Or would they? Ole Miss signed the standout phenom defensive tackle as a sure thing, only to be faced with academic accusations that put the school in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Will they take a third chance or will another SEC school sign the 6-foot-3, 345-pound blue-chip player?

These days university’s are less willing to take on controversial cases like Powe’s that might give the NCAA watchdog reason to bark. Oklahoma is a prime example. The football program had to dismiss its wins from the 2005 season and lose two scholarships for the ’08 and ’09 seasons after two players were kicked off the team for being paid for work they never performed.

It’s unfortunate that players and programs alike are receiving more press for their actions off the field or in the classroom than on the field.

I hope wherever Powe goes that he will get to play and put up great numbers, and even better grades.

As my grandmother used to say, “One thing that can never be taken away from you is your education.”

Christi