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Utah receiver Brian Hernandez has been granted a one-year extension on his five-year clock from the NCAA that will allow him to compete through the 2007-08 season. Hernandez, who was named to the MWC preseason all-conference team on July 17, will be considered a junior in eligibility this fall.
The NCAA allows an extra year of eligibility if a player misses two seasons for reasons beyond his control. Hernandez missed one season for an injury and another for a family medical emergency.
The native of Phoenix, Ariz., began his career at Georgia Tech in 2002. He was not cleared medically to play that season after suffering complications from a deep thigh contusion. At the semester break, family medical issues prompted him to leave Georgia Tech and move back home. He enrolled at Arizona State in the spring of 2003, but could not play due to NCAA transfer rules. In the spring of 2004, Hernandez transferred to Pima Community College and resumed his football careerâ€"earning first-team all-conference and honorable mention All-America honors. He signed with the Utes in time for the spring semester in 2005.
He was Utah’s third-leading receiver last fall, catching 39 passes for 709 yards and three touchdowns. He had 100-yard games against San Diego State (148) and Colorado State (112). He played most of the season on an injured ankle and underwent surgery in the offseason. He expects to be at full strength in time for the start of preseason camp on Aug. 7.
