HOOVER, Ala. — First-year Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze won’t have to worry about answering the question of where standout defensive end Channing Ward is academically when he makes his first appearance at the annual Southeastern Conference Media Days on Thursday.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Aberdeen product definitely made Ole Miss fans — and Freeze, for that matter — breathe easier Tuesday when he confirmed that he had been cleared academically to play for the Rebels in time to start summer drills. In a text message, Ward said he was “excited and relieved” when he found out he gained academic eligibility.
Ward, who was an Under Armour All-America selection last year as a senior, was one of two incoming players who had not been cleared academically to attend in summer classes. (South Panola linebacker Temario Strong remains the only signee from the 2012 class that is not cleared). (July 18, 2012, Page 6)
