Ex-Tulane QB Tanner Lee, now at Nebraska, granted extra year
Nebraska received news Saturday night that won’t impact it this season, but it will down the line.
Tanner Lee, a quarterback who transferred to the Huskers after two years as a starter at Tulane, announced that he has been granted a sixth year of eligibility (Nebraska confirmed the news as well). Lee has to sit out the 2016 because of transfer rules, but because he was given an extra year, he will have two years to play for the Huskers in 2017 and 2018.
Excited to have another year with the greatest fans in football. Incredibly blessed to be in Lincoln, Nebraska! #GBR
— Tanner Lee (@tannerlee12) August 14, 2016
After redshirting in 2013, Lee threw for a combined 3,601 yards, 23 touchdowns and 21 interceptions the past two seasons. He decided to leave Tulane after the school hired Willie Fritz as head coach. Fritz, formerly of Georgia Southern, runs an option offense that does not fill the skillset of the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Lee, who is more suited for a pro-style system.
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According to the Lincoln Journal-Star, that was the basis for Lee’s petition for a sixth year:
Lee arrived this summer as a transfer from Tulane, knowing he’d have at least one year in the Husker program but hoping for two after sitting out 2016 because of NCAA transfer rules. He appealed for a sixth year, using a provision in the rules that addresses student-athletes who feel they were “run off” by a school.
In Lee’s case, Tulane changed to a head coach who mostly runs the option, which didn’t match up with the skill set of the pro-style quarterback.
Huskers head coach Mike Riley is pleased with the development.
“That’s a great thing,” he said. “We feel good about the picture that’s present and looking into the future, that’s pretty good.”
Tommy Armstrong is penciled in as Nebraska’s starter this season, but Lee will have a great chance to top the depth chart for 2017. Junior A.J. Bush and freshman Patrick O’Brien will also be in the mix. O’Brien is expected to redshirt this season. The Huskers also have a verbal commitment from Top 100 recruit Tristan Gebbia in its 2017 class.
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Coming off a 6-7 record in Riley’s first season, Nebraska opens up the 2016 campaign at home against Fresno State on Sept. 3.
For more Nebraska news, visit HuskerOnline.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
