Mississippi RB Wilkins ruled academically ineligible
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OXFORD, Miss. (AP) Mississippi running back Jordan Wilkins has been ruled ineligible for the upcoming regular season because he has not met NCAA standards for progress toward a degree.
The school released a statement on Thursday, saying it appealed the NCAA's decision based on a school ''administrative error,'' but the request was denied this week.
Wilkins, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior, was fourth on the team with 379 yards rushing last season. He was expected to be an important part of the backfield this fall.
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The school said in its statement that ''the athletics department takes full responsibility and holds itself accountable when situations like this occur with our student-athletes. We will support Jordan to the fullest during this time and look forward to seeing him return to the field.''