Houston Cougars quarterback Case Keenum, who missed most of last season after tearing his ACL against UCLA, was granted a very rare sixth-year of eligibility today. In order to get a sixth year, you must show conclusive proof that you've lost two seasons to injury, and between the ACL and a shoulder injury in his freshman year, Keenum was able to convince the NCAA to allow him back.
Keenum will be your starting Cougars QB next year again, leaving David Piland and Cotton Turner on the bench for another season. Barring injury, of course. Keenum needs a little under 3500 yards to become the NCAA's all-time leading passer, catching former Hawaii QB Timmy Chang.
The Abilene-born QB is currently rehabbing. No decision has been made yet on whether he will participate fully in spring practice. Head coach Kevin Sumlin, understandably, was a bit excited about this news:
"Words can't describe how happy he was with the news," coach Kevin Sumlin said on a conference call. "As I talked to his dad later on, I was even happier for him and his family because of all he's gone through. For me, it's one of those deals where you're just happy when good things happen to good people. We're extremely thankful for the decision. Case is extremely thankful and thankful for all the people who worked and really took the time to be a part of this. It's been a long process. I'm out recruiting right now, but today for us and for the University of Houston, we got the best recruit we could get for the next year."
The Coogs will look to avenge last year's disappointing season, marked by a merry go round of quarterbacks, with Keenum under center. It's hard not to be happy with this turn of events if you're a Cougar fan.