Here is how I understand the process, and if I have it wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me. A kid needs to achieve a certain GPA in high school, and a certain SAT or ACT score - they need both, it isn't one or the other. If they fail to pass the SAT, they can try again - they only have to pass once. If they fail to qualify, they have 3 choices:
1. Go the prep school route - With one more year of high school, they may be better prepared, and be able to become eligible the following year. This route preserves all four years of college eligibility, but they will still need to pass the SAT the following year.
2. Go the JUCO route - They can go to a Junior College. This will be considered college, and will begin using up their eligibility, however, since they are in college, only grades matter now - They will not need to pass the SAT. They simply need to get their grades high enough at the college level to be eligible, and they can transfer to another school, and be immediately eligible, with no requirement of sitting out a year. Also, they are available to play at the JUCO level even though they are not eligible at FBS schools, so their skills do not grow rusty.
3. Enroll as a non-qualifier. Many conferences do not permit schools to enroll non-qualifiers. Some conferences, including the MAC, do. At that point it becomes up to each school to decide whether they are going to enroll non-qualifiers. A non-qualifier can enroll at the school, (if they get by admissions). If they earn high enough grades for a year, they can become eligible, with no need to pass the SAT. They can not work out or practice with the team, however until they become eligible, so they may be somewhat out of condition and/or rusty when they do become eligible. I do not know if they can get their scholarship money while they are still a non-qualifier. Also, they still have the 5 years to complete 4 years of eligibility, so I would think that the year spent working on grades would count as the redshirt year, but I am not certain of that.
I do not recall Ohio enrolling any non-qualifiers, though they may have. I do know that they have in the past included some non-qualifiers in their recruiting classes. Some have gone the prep-school route and become eligible that way. Some have gone the JUCO route to establish eligibility. Others have taken the SAT after the signing day, and become eligible in time for Fall without having to do either.
I do think that Ohio has a very strong support system for recruits. Once they are enrolled, most seem to perform well as student athletes, and Ohio has maintained a very high APR, with only a very small number of football players leaving because of grade issues.
Last Edited: 1/30/2012 6:53:23 PM by L.C.