Eastern grants Vernon Adams a release to explore opportunity at Oregon

In the wake of news that quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is contemplating a transfer to the University of Oregon, the Eastern Washington Athletic Department issued a statement Thursday clarifying its position on transfers by undergraduate student-athletes. Referring to Adams, the department stated that “we have granted the ability for our student-athlete to explore what opportunities may exist.” For Adams, that could mean a transfer to play football at another school. Adams, a redshirt junior with one year of eligibility remaining, is scheduled to receive his degree in recreation management. Under NCAA rules, Adams is allowed to complete his eligibiliy to another university should he successfully enroll in a graduate program that doesn’t exist at Eastern. Adams said Wednesday that he has been offered a scholarship to play next year for the Ducks. He is scheduled to fly to the Oregon campus on Friday for a three-day visit. The Eastern statement went on to say that the school handles each situation on a case-by-case basis. “We either allow or not allow a student-athlete to discuss the possibilities with a prospective institution, and then, should that option progress further, determine whether or not to release them to pursue the opportunity to complete their eligibility at another institution.” “When we recruit, retain and develop student-athletes, we first and foremost ask them to earn their college degree. Should they achieve that and have opportunities – whether based on current NCAA transfer rules or potentially in a professional setting – we do our best to try and support them in what is in the best interest of their future.” The statement concluded with a reference to NCAA transfer rules: “Given the current transfer rules that are in place and the desires of other institutions to utilize them to their advantage, we will continue to try and do what is in the best interests for our student-athletes, knowing that their education is our primary role.”