PROVO — The NCAA turned down BYU's Ben Archibald's request for a sixth year of eligibility, but while working on an appeal, the senior offensive lineman is ready to accept his college career is over.
"Until we got word the NCAA turned us down (Dec. 23), my wife and I had our future up in the air," Archibald said. "Now it looks like we can start getting on with our lives, whatever that turns out to be."
The NCAA rules allow for a medical redshirt if an injury to an athlete forces him to sit out a season. But Archibald redshirted as a BYU freshman without a medical reason. This past August, he severely fractured both bones in his lower leg during one of the team's first two-a-day drills and missed his senior season.
"It's pretty clear that my case to get back that senior year will not be given to me, but when coach Gary Crowton returns to town later this week, I will sit down with our compliance officer and head trainer George Curtis and see what kind of new information could be presented in an appeal of the ruling.
"But the NCAA is pretty stingy about this."
Archibald made the preseason Outland Trophy watch list just weeks before he broke his leg this past summer and was expected to be an anchor on BYU's offensive line. The injury was traumatic, not only for Archibald but for his teammates, as an ambulance came onto the field and Crowton canceled practice.
Archibald underwent surgery and had a rod placed inside his bone from his knee to ankle.
In November, he began lifting weights and doing cardio workouts on a stationary bike. Today a doctor is expected to clear him to run for the first time since the injury.
The 24-year-old said he has learned from his experience. He graduates in April with a degree in health sciences.
"I've learned to appreciate the game for sure, to be a part of it. I also have learned patience and persistence in doing what you can with what you have," Archibald said.
E-MAIL: dharmon@desnews.com