Deliz May Appeal for Extra Year After Season-Ending Injury
Navy has run out of the tunnel without injured senior captain Jeff Deliz for two games, but the safety may return next year after withdrawing from school in preparation for a medical appeal.
(Jonathan Newton - TWP)
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Navy senior Jeff Deliz, a starting safety and team captain who suffered a season-ending injury to his right leg against Rutgers on Sept. 7, has withdrawn from school for the fall semester, Coach Paul Johnson said yesterday. The move opens the possibility that Deliz could play in 2008.
"There's a chance," Johnson said. "We have to appeal to the NCAA to get a medical year. . . . It really didn't have anything to do with football. He was having a hard time getting around, he was pretty immobile. The whole thing is based on academics. The only way we will take a player [for an extra year] is if he needs extra time to graduate."
Junior Clint Sovie, a starting linebacker, had a season-ending foot injury against Rutgers. He has not left school, however, and Johnson said he likely would not apply for a fifth year.
"I don't think his injury was as bad," Johnson said.
Deliz is believed to have suffered a Lisfranc fracture of his right leg in the first quarter of a 41-24 loss to Rutgers; he had surgery six days later and has been on crutches since.
He left school late last week and is expected back for the spring semester.
Technically, Deliz has two years of eligibility left because he did not play as a freshman in 2004. But Johnson said Navy does not seek an extra year for players for any reasons other than academics.
The Midshipmen have had three players receive a fifth year in the past 15 seasons.
Meantime, Deliz is rehabbing at the University of Michigan, near his home in Clinton Township, Mich. Senior linebacker Irv Spencer has taken over the nominal duties as captain for the defense. Other duties are being divided evenly, according to Johnson.
"We've got a lot of leaders," Johnson said. "This place is about leadership."
Snyder Is 'Total Package'
Junior safety Kevin Snyder likely will start tomorrow against Wake Forest (4-2). This comes after a spate of injuries to safeties -- including Deliz, junior Ketric Buffin and sophomore Jesse Iwuji. Also, sophomore Ram Vela moved to outside linebacker from safety.
Snyder, a graduate of Paint Branch, would be the 20th player to start on defense for the Midshipmen (4-2) this season. Against Pittsburgh on Oct. 10, he played much of the final three quarters and both overtimes and finished with four tackles.
