Raheem blackshear GRANTED INSTANT ELIGIBILITY BY NCAA
Chris Hirons
September 1, 2020
Raheem Blackshear, who spent the last three seasons at Rutgers, was was granted immediate eligibility on Tuesday after originally having his waiver denied by the NCAA. (Virginia Tech athletics)
BLACKSBURG, — Last week, Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente let out a dismal sigh when asked about redshirt junior Raheem Blackshear’s status regarding his waiver for immediate eligibility for the upcoming fall season.
Today, the sound of disappointment in his voice from last Monday’s press conference will surely be replaced with optimism and cheers as the NCAA declared that Blackshear will be eligible to play immediately this season.
“There’s probably four-to-five positions on either side of the ball that he could play,” Fuente told reporters last month. “I mean, he’s talented, highly intelligent and rarely skilled, so he’s kind of a unique part of that. He can play in the slot; he can play tailback; he can do a lot of stuff.”
Blackshear’s initial eligibility waiver was denied on August 14 by the NCAA, to which Fuente told the media that he was “shocked and saddened”. However, the Hokies filed an appeal that was eventually overturned that same week.
Fuente’s no stranger to sharing his frustrations with the NCAA’s eligibility waiver process. Last year, Tech landed offensive line transfer Brock Hoffman, a transfer from Coastal Carolina. Hoffman sought a family medical hardship waiver for immediate eligibility but was ultimately denied. Hoffman is set to start at center for Tech this fall.
The Hokies also landed Braxton Burmiester prior to last season through the transfer portal. Like Hoffman, Burmiester, an Oregon transfer, was forced to sit out last season after not being granted a transfer waiver.
Prior to arriving in Blacksburg at the beginning of last season, Burmeister sat behind the 2020 NFL Draft’s sixth overall pick in Justin Herbert at Oregon for his first two seasons. As a true freshman, Burmeister completed 59.4% of his passes while throwing for 307 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
The NCAA’s eligibility process seems to be shaky, at best. Last season, Miami quarterback Tate Martell, who was granted immediate eligibility, transferred from Ohio State because he lost a position battle to then-transfer Justin Fields.
Earlier this spring, Taulia Tagovailoa, the younger brother of former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, announced his intention to transfer from Alabama to Maryland. In a matter of weeks, the NCAA approved his eligibility waiver, while Blackshear continued to wait on his waiver, even though he enrolled at Virginia Tech in January.
As the five-foot-nine, 192-pound Philadelphia native awaited the NCAA’s decision, he continued to workout with Tech in the offseason and during fall camp. The former Scarlet Knight expected to play a major role in an intriguing stable of running backs, as well as playing in the slot when called upon by the coaching staff.
Former Hokies running back Deshawn McClease, who led the Hokies in rushing yards last season, declared for the draft a year early. However, senior Jalen Holston, sophomore Keshawn King and redshirt freshman Tahj Gary are returning to Blacksburg to join Blackshear in the backfield.
Tech added even more running back depth over the offseason through the transfer portal, landing Marco Lee, a junior college transfer, and Khalil Herbert, a graduate transfer from Kansas.
Blackshear redshirted last season after starting the first four games for Rutgers. However, an abysmal start for the Scarlet Knights led to the firing of head coach Chris Ash — who recruited Blackshear to New Jersey. The firing prompted Blackshear to sit the rest of the season and enter the transfer portal.
During his tenure with Rutgers, which lasted two-plus seasons, Blackshear recorded 912 yards rushing and six touchdowns, while accounting for 80 receptions for 810 yards and six scores. During his career at Rutgers, Blackshear averaged 5.9 yards per play — proving that he’s an electrifying talent when given the ball.
As a kick returner, Blackshear posted 530 yards on 30 career attempts, adding another talent to his already deep skillset.
Blackshear is set to make his Hokies debut against Virginia as Virginia Tech opens its season with the Battle for the Commonwealth Cup on Sept. 19 at either 3:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Additionally, the game will be broadcasted to a national audience on ABC.
The Hokies have owned UVa over the past 21 meetings between the two in-state rivals, winning 19 of them, including a span of 15-wins in a row. However, Tech dropped last season’s clash in Charlottesville, in a thrilling 39-30 win for the Cavaliers.