ESPN’s Chris Low reported Friday that Kentucky star running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. will miss the Wildcats’ SEC East showdown at No. 12 Florida Saturday. Rodriguez has been part of an ongoing, multiplayer eligibility inquiry at UK, sources told Sports Illustrated.
Rodriguez and linebacker Jordan Wright—both named team captains in the preseason—missed Kentucky’s season-opening victory over Miami (Ohio) last week. Wright was cleared to play earlier this week, but there has been no decision reached on when Rodriguez will return to the lineup. Sources told SI that the eligibility issue is being examined by both the university and the NCAA.
In most cases that involve potential rules violations that impact player eligibility, an initial ruling will pertain to when (or if) a player can return to competition. But after eligibility is determined, there often is a second phase of an investigation that determines whether rules violations can result in allegations against the school.
