Washington State senior quarterback Jeff Tuel said he has dropped his appeal to the NCAA for a medical redshirt year and will instead focus on trying to play in the NFL.
“I have had a great four years at Washington State and will always be grateful to the university, my teammates, coaches and especially the fans,” said Tuel in a released statement “I feel it is time to pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL.”
Tuel, who missed most of the 2011 season with collarbone injuries, started in the first two and final five Cougars games this season. He maintained throughout the season that he might not return to WSU, even if the NCAA gave him a fifth year of eligibility.
Tuel passed for 2,091 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 games this season. The Fresno, Calif., native holds the school’s career record in completion percentage at 61.4. He ranks seventh in career passing yards with 5,936.
“We appreciate Jeff’s contributions to Cougar football and wish him the very best in the future,” said Washington State coach Mike Leach via a statement.
Connor Halliday, who shared the starting quarterback job with Tuel this season, passed for 1,874 yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in nine games as a sophomore .
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