NCAA reverses course on Marine playing at MTSU

MURFREESBORO (AP) — The NCAA has ruled that a Middle Tennessee football player who spent five years in the Marines will be allowed to compete this fall and that he will have four years of eligibility remaining.

It's a reversal from the NCAA's earlier decision to rule Steven Rhodes was ineligible because he played in a recreational league during his military service. School officials had said earlier Monday that they were working with NCAA officials to come up with a solution.

Late Monday afternoon, the NCAA issued a news release saying they wanted to thank Roberts for his service, wished him well and that member schools would continue to re-examine the competition rules.

Middle Tennessee President Sidney McPhee says it "exciting news" and thanked the NCAA for the review.