Former Caldwell County standout and 2014 Kentucky Mr. Football Elijah Sindelar will get a sixth year of eligibility at Purdue — if he wants it.
The Journal & Courier of Lafayette, Ind., is reporting that the NCAA has awarded the fifth-year senior an additional year of eligibility because of his injury problems at the school. Sindelar played in just two games last year.
With the graduation of David Blough, Sindelar is the unquestioned starter at quarterback for the Boilermakers entering the 2019 season.
“It’s huge,” Sindelar told the Journal & Courier of getting the extra year. “It made me feel really good to know I’ve got two more years, especially with guys like Rondale Moore and David Bell. I love where the program is going and to be a part of it for another year will be phenomenal.”
However, Sindelar also told the Lafayette newspaper that his game plan would be to play well enough this fall to enter the 2020 NFL draft.
“My goal is not to use it if I don’t have to,” he said. “Hopefully, I can perform well enough this season to be able to get drafted. That would be ideal. For some reason, if that does not happen and I’m able to take that sixth year to increase that opportunity then that’s what is going to happen.”
The NCAA allows student-athletes five years to play four seasons of collegiate athletics. However, the organization will grant a sixth-year of eligibility due to certain hardships.
Sindelar has battled injuries going back to his high school career. He was injured in his final game at Caldwell County — a playoff loss to Murray in the regional championship game in 2014.
At Purdue, Sindelar hurt his left knee in 2017 against Northwestern. He played the final three games with an ACL injury— including Purdue’s bowl victory — before having surgery. Sindelar started for the Boilermakers to open the 2018 season, but experienced tendinitis in the knee, which forced him to miss the final 11 games.
Sindelar was shut down during spring drills after tweaking the knee again. However, he said following spring practice that he was good to go in preparation for this fall.
“I have no problem with it,” Sindelar said. “I’m already back to doing everything.”