WR says he'll sit out 2010 season

[PonyPride]

Wide receiver Terrance Wilkerson said Thursday that he will miss the 2010 season for the SMU Mustangs after being declared academically ineligible. He said an appeal was filed on his behalf, but was denied. Wilkerson said that he talked with SMU's Provost, Dr. Paul Ludden, who told him that he will be be allowed to re-enroll in January and resume his playing career.

Wilkerson said he knows he let down his family, coaches, teammates and fans, but said he plans to do whatever is needed to resume his education and playing career in the spring semester of 2011.

"My parents are disappointed, and I'm disappointed that I let down my coaches," Wilkerson said. "Coach (June) Jones was so excited for me for this year. He talked about what we could do with me and Al (Aldrick Robinson) outside. The team will still do fine, but he had high hopes for me individually. He said he thought I would explode this season."

Wilkerson said that since he found out he'll sit out a season, his teammates have embraced him.

"They're disappointed," he said. "But they're encouraging me, too. I'm going to work out while I'm out, and come back faster and stronger."

Quarterback Kyle Padron said he is sorry he'll be without Wilkerson — SMU's third-leading receiver in 2009 with 42 receptions for 527 yards and four touchdowns — for the 2010 season, but has complete confidence in Wilkerson's dedication to make good on his promise to return.

"It's tough to lose someone like him," Padron said. "But I'm confident he'll re-enroll and he'll be back with us. He's a very hard worker, and he'll work hard to be back with us."

Wilkerson said that when his appeal for eligibility was denied, Jones called Texas A&M-Commerce coach Guy Morriss on Wilkerson's behalf, if Wilkerson didn't want to sit out a year. He said he was told A&M-Commerce had a scholarship available for him if he wanted it, but he turned it down.

"That was a generous thing for Coach Jones to do, thinking about what I want," Wilkerson said. "But I don't want to play for anyone but Coach Jones, and I don't want to play anywhere but SMU."

Wilkerson and Padron both said they expect Brad Haynes to have a chance to step into Wilkerson's starting role.

"When I was being recruited, I came to the Memphis game, and that was kind of Brad's coming out party, I guess," Padron said. "He's such a big, strong target. He's so physical, and he can create real matchup problems for the defense."

"We're going to be fine, this offense is going to be fine," Wilkerson said. "They don't need me to win. I want to be out there, of course, but we have a lot of weapons."

Wilkerson said that when he re-enrolls, he plans to switch his major from anthropology to sociology, and will dedicate himself to reaching a better balance between academics and football.

"This is good for me," he said. "It's about me maturing as a man. I'm going to come back, I'm going to do my work on the field and in the class room, I'm going to be humble and play wherever they put me."

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Well, that sure sucks.

[Hoop Fan]

lovely.

[Stallion]

great attitude-hope he means it. Looks like some of these freshman better get ready to contribute. I've always thought Haynes has some talent if he keeps his speed up.

[MustangIcon]

Tough to lose your #2 WR. I am hopefull TWilk re-enrolls and dedicates himself to his studies. Getting a degree from SMU will be more valuable to him in his life than anything he will ever do on the football field.

I also loved this quote, which gave me a little bit of a warm and fuzzy feeling:
"But I don't want to play for anyone but Coach Jones, and I don't want to play anywhere but SMU."

[NastyStang]

Wow, this hurts. Never expected him to be one of the causalities. Was looking forward to him having a huge year...damn.

[ponyte]

This is very unfortunate for the team and Wilkerson. Sounds like Wilkerson has a plan though. I hope he gets his act together and gets to contribute in 2011. Seems about the time we think we get a break things conspire to knock us down a notch.

[NickSMU17]

Now we need De'von Baily to get scholarship...

[Eye In the Sky]

Unfortunately, I heard that he was one of the "casualties" when the other names came out a few weeks ago. This really hurts since he has started all along and now we only have Al and Beasley who have had significant playing time in this offense. Fortunately, I think we have some guys who can step up and fill the role (DJ, Cole Loftin). They just have to stay healthy so we're not forced to play a ton of freshman who are not ready.

[couch 'em]

What is going on that these guys cannot stay eligable? What professors are not passing these guys?

Are they just not getting a break, or are they just not trying?

[NickSMU17]

I think this is what has been talked about June dealing with Turner...

[Dutch]

is there anyone else we should have heard about? or is Wilkerson it?

[couch 'em]

There is no excuse for any prof to fail a football player unless they just purposely don't try.

[MustangIcon]

There is no excuse for any prof to fail a football player unless they just purposely don't try.

That is exactly what has been going on with some of our players...you have to attend class to pass it. I don't know that to be fact in Wilkerson's case, but from some of the things I have heard spoken more generally about some of our players, I wouldn't be shocked.

Also, does a failing grade in 1 course constitute academic ineligibility? I thought it was a GPA watermark for the semester or year, which is quite low. To be academicly ineligible as a football player, even at SMU, means you simply didn't give a damn (of course there is the occassional exception to that rule).

[Stallion]

sounds like we may need more class monitors than tutors, What's so funny is that June has these guys up at Daybreak. Wish NCAA would ban that practice.