2021 NFL Draft prospect Cade Mays denied immediate eligibility

With the 2021 NFL Draft looming, Cade Mays finds himself in a sticky situation

The transfer portal has been a busy system this offseason as college players and 2021 NFL Draft prospects alike have been shifting teams. After a season starting along the interior of the University of Georgia offensive line, Cade Mays was one of the players making a change as he transferred to the University of Tennessee.

However, on the heels of the season’s beginning, Mays received the news he had not received immediate eligibility. With hopes of making the jump to the 2021 NFL Draft, Mays may now have to take a gap year before seeing the field for the Volunteers; this would push his draft hopes back to at least 2022.

What is next for Cade Mays?

It looks as though Mays will have to sit out a year before suiting up in the orange and white. However, there is an alternative route and an avenue Mays is exploring: he is set to appeal the NCAA’s ruling on his eligibility. All hope is not lost that he could see himself on the field this fall in Knoxville.

It would seem unlikely he will declare for the 2021 NFL Draft if he has to sit out, and he may not even with a full season under his belt. However, this is an option for Mays as well as he is technically eligible to opt out and declare. Should he lose his immediate eligibility appeal, we could see Mays make the decision to skip out on Tennessee altogether and train for the NFL Scouting Combine.

The SEC has yet to cancel their season, so hope remains for Mays and the Volunteers. There is no timetable on his appeal, however, the NCAA has not been historically flexible with their decisions.