Updated at 9:33 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011
The status of Oklahoma signee Trey Metoyer is still in limbo. But at this point, it appears the former Whitehouse High School star receiver will not be suiting up for the Sooners or for Tyler Junior College any time soon.
According to multiple sources, Metoyer passed only nine of 12 hours of summer school at TJC -- making him ineligible to play junior college football this fall. By law -- the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act -- TJC officials cannot release Metoyer’s grades.
David Metoyer, Trey’s father, sought help from Whitehouse school officials. Richard Peacock, the assistant superintendent at Whitehouse ISD, confirmed that the meeting took place Tuesday at the father’s request.
“… I don’t know it for a fact, but I would assume if he didn’t qualify for TJC he wouldn’t qualify for (NCAA Division I),” Peacock told the Tyler Paper, adding that “to my understanding” the Metoyers have not received an official ruling from the NCAA Clearinghouse, which still leaves his future at OU in question.
“Trey is a graduate of Whitehouse High School. He met all the state and local requirements for graduation,” Peacock said. “His transcript is sealed … what happens from that point on is out of our hands. We have nothing to do with making him eligible or making him ineligible, or a qualifier or a non-qualifier for TJC or a Division I.”
David Metoyer told the Tyler Paper, “We’re not exactly sure what we’re going to do right now.” Pressed further on the matter, the father said, “I am not going to discuss anything else about Trey.”
One viable option for Metoyer, one of the nation's top wide receiver recruits last year, would be to attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., for a year, where he could play football and continue to try to raise his test scores and grade-point average. By doing that, Metoyer would retain all four years of NCAA eligibility.
“All those things were discussed,” Peacock said. “But as far as what he’s going to do, I have no idea. There were no decisions made about anything in the meeting.”
An email seeking comment from The University of Oklahoma was returned by sports information director Kenny Mossman, who replied: "We're familiar with Trey's process. It would be premature for us to say anything at this time."
In the June 16 edition of the Tyler Morning Telegraph, David Metoyer said his son was taking two classes at TJC in an effort to boost his grade point average in order to be eligible for Oklahoma this fall. TJC’s Summer I session was June 6 through July 7. Summer II ran July 11 through Aug. 12. TJC head football coach Danny Palmer said Trey Metoyer was enrolled in both summer sessions.
“He was trying to get eligible through the Clearinghouse and get his grade point average up,” Palmer said. “I don’t understand all the rules of the Clearinghouse in that situation. I know he did real well this last semester.”
One year ago, Metoyer was the talk of East Texas and the state for his play on the field. The U.S. Army and PARADE Magazine All-American had 108 catches for 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior at Whitehouse. Metoyer committed to Oklahoma before his senior season.
Although he did not sign with TJC, or any other junior college, Metoyer would have been eligible to play Juco football this fall just by being a high school graduate. But once he reached 12 hours at TJC, he was considered a full-time student and therefore had to pass all 12 hours, said TJC athletic director Dr. Tim Drain.
“The only reason to take 12 hours in the summer at the Juco level is to become eligible,” Drain said. “But for all I know, he literally might have needed all 12 to become eligible at Oklahoma.”
Palmer thinks Metoyer will go to Hargrave Military Academy, unless a better option becomes available.
“I’ve heard that’s what Oklahoma wants him to do,” Palmer said.