The offseason is winding down for Cincinnati Football. An offseason featuring the story of one Bearcat that won’t play this season. Making national news in the process and highlighting a significant issue.

James Hudson’s transfer made many headlines throughout the offseason. Hudson is a Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman transferring from Michigan. His waiver to be immediately eligibe to play was denied by the NCAA. Due to him not previously disclosing his struggles with depression to Michigan. As a result, Hudson will not be eligible to play this upcoming season.

After emerging into the news back in May; the story re-emerged earlier this month. When Cincinnati’s head coach Luke Fickell and Michigan’s head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke about it. Both coaches engaged in a perceived war or words in recent days. Fickell basically contends Harbaugh could’ve done more to help Hudson gain immediately eligiblity. Harbaugh contends he had nothing to do with Hudson’s waiver being denied.

Hudson’s story brings some big concerns into the spotlight. The verbal spats between Fickell and Harbaugh are a distraction from those concerns. Given that the focus turned to the two high profile coaches. Yet,the spat is bringing those bigger issues back into the spotlight. Issues of concern for the NCAA, schools and society in general.

First, Hudson’s story highlights some problems surrounding the NCAA’s transfer rules. The NCAA changed part of it’s transfer waiver process in 2018. Previously, a college athlete could transfer and be immediately eligible to play only under a vague sounding “eggregious behavior” exemption. Otherwise, that athlete would be ineligible to play for a year. That was replaced by an exemption for “mitigating circumstances.”

This produced a perception that the NCAA was relaxing their transfer rules. However, as James Hudson’s story shows, perception is not always reality. Hudson isn’t the only college football player whose waiver was denied. Last April, John Taylor of College Football Talk highlighted two other stories. Both involved players immediate eligiblity waivers being declined on geographic grounds.

Luke Ford and Brock Hoffman are both transferring to schools closer to ailing family members. Ford is transferring to play for Illinois Football from Georgia. Hoffman is transferring from Coastal Carolina to play for Virginia Tech. Ford, an Illinois native, reportedly transferred to be closer to his ailing Grandfather. Hoffman to be closer to his mother, recovering from medical issues stemming from brain surgery.

Both waivers were denied because they transferred to schools more than 100 miles from their family members. Violating an NCAA rule about transfers on familial grounds. This all leaves one wondering why the NCAA maintains such stringent transfer rules. Applying standards that wouldn’t be applied to other students. Even for reasons that have nothing to do with academics or personal conduct.

Frustrations over NCAA rules are frankly nothing new. Yet, Hudson’s story brings up concerns about an issue effecting more than the NCAA. It’s also a reminder of America’s struggle to address mental health concerns. Rather than applaud Hudson’s courage for speaking up about his depression. Through their excuse for denying his waiver; the NCAA scolded him for not speaking out sooner.

Personal experience with depression isn’t required to understand how tone deaf this seems. The NCAA hasn’t shown that they’re learning anything from the world around them. Including the mental strains college students face; reguardless of whether they’re athletes or not. From the pressure to succeed or other issues they’re dealing with. Plus, not realizing that many dealing with depression or something traumatic aren’t broadcasting it.

Society already struggles with how to deal with depression and other mental health concerns. Rather than taking an opportunity to lead the conversation in a more effective way. The NCAA is inadvertenly taking the opposite approach through their actions.