Jordan Pu'u-Robinson said on Wednesday he had been cleared to play for the University of Hawaii football team, and he was on the Warriors' plane to Utah a few hours later for Friday's game against Brigham Young.
Pu'u-Robinson, a former Baldwin High School and Kamehameha Maui standout who transferred from Washington State after last season, had been denied by the NCAA in August in his appeal, based on family reasons, to waive the rule that transfers must sit out a season before playing at their new school.
"It feels great," Pu'u-Robinson said via telephone.
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Pu‘u-Robinson
He said in a text message that he "found out (Wednesday) morning through the compliance at UH athletics."
After the original denial of his case, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive lineman did not give up on playing this season, filing further paperwork.
"Additional information and detail was provided for the ncaa about my situation," he said in the text. "I assume they reevaluated and decided to clear me. The ncaa has a 30 day reconsideration period once they deny a waiver."
Pu'u-Robinson has been playing some tight end with the scout team, but he said he will line up at defensive end on Friday.
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com
