Football: NCAA declares Gerami eligible

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • August 27, 2010

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the NCAA changed its mind concerning the hardship case involving UL safety Cooper Gerami.

Gerami learned Thursday morning that the NCAA had reversed its decision made three weeks earlier and granted his request to play immediately this season for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

The former St. Thomas More standout transferred to UL from Northwestern University after redshirting as a freshman this past season to be closer to his son Greyson, who was born in June.

So instead of sitting out the mandatory one-year period per NCAA transfer rules, Gerami can play the next four years for the Cajuns without penalty.

Gerami, who has been practicing with the team since preseason camp, heard the good news when UL defensive coordinator Kevin Fouquier called him Thursday morning.

"I didn’t believe it at first," Gerami said after Thursday’s practice. "I thought coach Fouquier was just messing with me. After that, I was kind of speechless. I was so pumped. It really was amazing. I didn’t know what to tell him."

According to UL sports information director Daryl Cetnar, the NCAA recently reviewed additional cases similar to Gerami’s hardship request and saw a precedent to waive the transfer penalty.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Gerami is expected to work mostly at free safety behind senior starter Maurice Rolle and junior Lionel Stokes but is currently second on the depth chart when the Cajuns go with six defensive backs in their dime coverage.

"He’s going to be playing for us, especially in our dime package," Fouquier said. "He will be playing some free safety and playing at the Panther (in the dime package). We’re planning on him playing really quick."

Fouquier added that the NCAA made the right move to allow Gerami to play this season.

"The NCAA did a great job," Fouquier said. "They could have just said no because they had already declared him ineligible, but instead they reopened it, re-evaluated it and said they made a mistake and needed to make him eligible. I think it says a lot about the NCAA for them to do that."

UL coach Rickey Bustle was glad to hear the news that Gerami could play this season.

"I’m happy and excited for him, but no one was more excited than Cooper when he heard the news," Bustle said. "He’s got the experience and maturity to play some for us and has a good chance of traveling with us this season.

"He’s a guy who could step in and help us."

Gerami wrapped up his prep career at STM with a strong senior season in 2008, finishing with 85 tackles, three fumble recoveries and five pass breakups. He also blocked seven kicks, returned two of his six interceptions for touchdowns and had 397 yards and one touchdown on 12 kickoff returns.

In addition to being the Daily Advertiser All-Acadiana Special Teams Player of the Year, Gerami was named to the Class 5A all-state team and was rated the state’s 73rd-best recruit by Rivals.com. He signed with Northwestern over Rice, Army and Nicholls State.

While Gerami will be playing on the field this season, his son will be cheering him on from the stands.

"It’s going to be great," Gerami said. "He’s already my No. 1 fan. I know my mom is going to hate to hear me say that, but let’s just say that she’s got some competition."