NCAA grants extra year of eligibility to any graduating UVA football player in wake of fatal campus shooting

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The NCAA will grant an extra year of eligibility to any graduating Virginia football player in the wake of last month's shooting that left three players dead, UVA athletic director Carla Williams told the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

The Cavaliers canceled their last two scheduled games — a non-conference matchup against Coastal Carolina and their annual rivalry game against Virginia Tech — after wide receivers Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler and linebacker D'Sean Perry were shot and killed on school grounds on Nov. 13.

Instead, players made their way to John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, paying their respects their fallen teammates in an emotional public memorial service on Nov. 19. The following week, players and team personnel attended Davis, Chandler and Perry's funerals in North Charleston, S.C., Virginia Beach and Miami, respectively.

MORE: How 10 former Virginia football coaches honored players killed in shooting  

The NCAA's move, which was requested by the school, will likely have the most impact on graduating seniors, as well as fifth- or sixth-year players. The Cavaliers have a host of players whose eligibility was slated to run out after the 2022 season, including wide receivers Billy Kemp IV and Keytaon Thompson, defensive backs Darrius Bratton and Anthony Johnson, defensive ends Kam Butler and Jack Camper, and defensive tackle Devontae Davis.

Some. like Johnson and Kemp, have already declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Others, though, may not. Either way, those seemingly slated to leave the program will have one extra year of eligibility, should they seek it.

The eligibility waiver is the latest in a string of actions taken to honor and grieve the loss of Davis, Chandler and Perry. Earlier this week, the university awarded each of the three players an honorary degree.

According to a school release, Davis, a third-year student, majored in African American and African studies. Chandler, a second-year student, majored in American studies. Fourth-year student Perry double majored in studio art and in African American and African studies.

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David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.