Bowling Green will redshirt Joplin

8/22/2009

BOWLING GREEN - Shaun Joplin will not compete in football games during his freshman year at Bowling Green State University.

"He will redshirt," BG first-year coach Dave Clawson said.

The decision to redshirt Joplin, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver, comes after BG officials received word yesterday of Joplin's eligibility from the NCAA Clearing House, which determines the academic eligibility of student-athletes.

BG officials are not permitted to disclose specific information regarding the eligibility ruling of any student-athlete made by the NCAA Clearing House. It is considered a student's private matter.

However, the results of Joplin's ruling will allow the Southview graduate to remain involved as a member of the Falcons football program.

"He'll be redshirted for the year but he can practice with the team and he'll receive a scholarship," said Jason Knavel, BG assistant athletics director of communications.

Joplin has been taking part in Falcons workouts for nearly two weeks after missing the first week due in part to a delay with his admission to the university.

Prior to his arrival at BG, Joplin was a standout three-sport athlete at Southview who played a key role in the Cougars winning the Division II state championship last fall with a school-best 15-0 record.

He caught eight passes for a Division II state football championship game record 166 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown reception, in the Cougars' 29-25 victory over defending state champion Cincinnati Anderson in last year's state title game.

The All-Ohio football selection has shown those pass-catching skills during the Falcons workouts.

Joplin also was a standout in basketball and track and field in high school.

He helped the Cougars win the Northern Lakes League championship in basketball last winter and closed out his high school athletic career in the spring by finishing third in the Division I high jump competition by clearing 6 feet, 10 inches.