West Liberty University football player Shon Stephens was denied a personal hardship waiver by the NCAA, making him suddenly out of eligibility.

He started out as a freshman at Bakersfield College, a Junior College in California and then transferred to Missouri Southern State. He took the 2020 season off to help his mother recover from a heart attack.  Afterwards, he committed to Penn State as a walk-on for the 2021 season. He wasn't granted immediate eligibility, so he transferred to Division II West Liberty University in West Virginia.  While there, he had an incredible season to get back on the Power Five radar.

Stephens earned D2 All-American honors, recording 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, and led the nation with eight interceptions. He visited West Virginia University and Purdue University and also received interest in the transfer portal from Colorado along with a few other schools. Stephens was set to commit to Purdue, but had to wait to hear from the NCAA in regard to the status of his eligibility.

In the past, the NCAA has allowed some players a sixth, seventh, or even eighth year of eligibility due to injuries. But Mr. Stephens is being denied an extra year of eligibility because he was there to care for his mother in her time of need.  This policy punishes student-athletes who have to temporarily step away from the field and the classroom to put their loved ones first.