Drew Ott (95) pursues Illinois State Redbirds quarterback Jake Kolbe (16) during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 31-14. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa defensive end Drew Ott was denied a medical hardship waiver for an extra year of eligibility and will enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
Ott confirmed Wednesday that the NCAA rejected his appeal for a fifth year with the Hawkeyes. He suffered elbow and knee injuries last season that limited him to six games.
For months, Ott had waited for a decision and was unable to work out for NFL teams while in limbo and because of his injuries. The Big Ten approved a waiver, but the NCAA did not agree, ending his career at Iowa after four seasons.
Iowa argued that while Ott played in more than 30 percent of the Hawkeyes’ 14 games last season, he missed significant time in those games because of the injuries. A dislocated elbow suffered in the second game limited Ott’s playing time before he sustained a torn ACL in the sixth game that ended his season — and ultimately his college career.
“Finding out that my time has come to an end here at Iowa leaves me with a lot of people to thank,” Ott said in an Instagram post. “Thank you to my coaches for giving me the opportunity, believing in me, and staying with me through this whole process. Hawkeye fans, you have been amazing and thank you for the constant support. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without my friends and family.”
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, particularly with the length of the process.
“I’m disappointed for Drew and I’m really quite frankly disappointed with the decision and disappointed with the process,” Ferentz said.
With Ott now gone from the program, redshirt freshman Matt Nelson will be the favorite to start at defensive end next fall. He filled in last year after Ott went down.
Ott was named second-team All-Big Ten after the 2014 season when he led the team in tackles for loss with 12 and sacks with eight. He started 31 of the final 32 games of his Iowa career, including 19 straight before the injuries, after playing in five games as a true freshman in 2012.
