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Iowa DE Drew Ott applies for medical hardship waiver
Iowa defensive end Drew Ott is looking for a way to return to the Hawkeyes in 2016.
Ott, a senior, has missed the majority of this season due to two serious injuries – a dislocated elbow and a torn ACL – and has applied to receive a medical redshirt, which would allow him to return for a fifth season.
According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Ott made appearances in six games for the Hawkeyes this year, but was limited in three of them. He has since had surgery to repair both injuries.
Ott played in Iowa’s six games but failed to play significant snaps in three games. He suffered a gruesome dislocated left elbow in the second quarter of Iowa’s second game. He played sparingly in Iowa’s next two games, one of which he started. He then opened Iowa’s first two conference games against Wisconsin and then Illinois. In the third quarter of Iowa’s sixth game, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which ended his season.
Ott had knee surgery to repair his ACL tear in late October. Last week had his ulnar collateral ligament replaced with a tendon in his elbow, commonly known as Tommy John surgery.
Ordinarily, players can receive medical hardship waivers if they do not finish 30 percent of the season by the season’s halfway point. A school officially applies for the waiver after the season and a group of Big Ten officials oversee the decision. If an appeal is denied at the conference level, a player can take his case to the NCAA.
“I filed for it, so we’ll see what happens with that,” Ott told the Gazette. “I think there could be a chance, hopefully.”
Ott has been one of the better pass-rushers in the Big Ten over the past few seasons. Before tearing his ACL against Illinois, Ott registered his fifth sack of the season. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Ott’s best season was in 2014 when he had 57 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks, earning second-team All-Big Ten in the process. He also totaled 50 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a sophomore in 2013 and made three tackles in limited action in five games as a true freshman in 2012.
If his medical hardship is not granted, Ott is likely an NFL draft pick, though his stock has definitely taken a hit coming off two significant surgeries.
The 11-0 Hawkeyes, who have already clinched the Big Ten’s West division, will look to complete a perfect regular season on Friday at Nebraska.
For more Iowa news, visit HawkeyeReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
