Miami football TE gets 9th year of NCAA eligibility

January 20, 2024 Admin

Miami football tight end Cam McCormick is returning to school. Again.

McCormick, who’s entering his second season with the Hurricanes, announced Thursday he’s coming back for his ninth season of college football. He is believed to be the first player to have nine seasons of eligibility, according to multiple reports.

McCormick, who referenced 2024 as his “last ride” on social media, started his career at Oregon in 2016 but suffered season-ending injuries that caused him to miss parts or all of the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. His waiver for a ninth season of eligibility was approved by the ACC, according to ESPN.

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The 6-foot-5 tight end caught eight passes for 62 yards while appearing in all 13 of the Hurricanes’ games this past season, making eight starts under Mario Cristobal, whom he also played for at Oregon.

Here’s everything to know about McCormick, including his age and how he received a ninth year of eligibility:

Cam McCormick age

McCormick is 25 years old and will turn 26 in April.

McCormick was in the same high school recruiting class as such NFL stars as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert — McCormick’s teammate at Oregon — and former 49ers NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.

More: Miami Hurricanes recruiting: Who were Wednesday morning’s biggest signatures?

Cam McCormick eligibility: Explaining 9th year

McCormick started his college career in 2016, but multiple season-ending injuries prevented him from seeing the field for four straight seasons.

The former Oregon tight end redshirted in 2016 before appearing in all 13 of the Ducks’ games in 2017 as a reserve. His season ended in 2018 after breaking his left ankle, according to The Oregonian, with complications from the injury also costing him the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Then, two games into the 2021 season, McCormick tore his right Achilles tendon, according to The Oregonian, ending his season again. Before his last game with the Ducks, McCormick told reporters before the 2022 Holiday Bowl he applied for eighth and ninth years of eligibility, which the NCAA accepted.

McCormick injury history

McCormick redshirted the 2016 season after being one of three Oregon players to experience rhabdomyolysis after a strenuous offseason workout. Rhabdomyolysis occurs when “damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood” and can be fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After playing in 2017, he suffered a broken ankle in 2018, which forced him to miss the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons after complications and three surgeries.

In 2021, McCormick tore his Achilles tendon in the Ducks’ 35-28 win over Ohio State.

Cam McCormick stats

Career: 26 receptions, 231 yards, 4 touchdowns
2017: 6 rec., 89 yards, 1 TD
2018: 1 rec., minus-2 yards
2019: Did not play due to injury.
2020: Did not play due to injury.
2021: 1 rec., 16 yards. One reception for 16 yards
2022: 10 rec., 66 yards, 3 TDs
2023 (Miami): 8 rec., 62 yards

Cam McCormick 247 ranking

McCormick was a three-star recruit rated the No. 539 player nationally and No. 23 tight end in the 2016 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. The Bend, Oregon, native was the No. 4-ranked player in Oregon.

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