Mississippi State's Jackson hopes for another season of eligibility

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - Mississippi State defensive lineman Kamau Jackson is hoping last year&#39;s Egg Bowl was not his final collegiate game. <br> <br> Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 284-pounder from Decatur, Ga., and a transfer from Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, has filed an appeal with the NCAA to play this year. <br> <br> The appeal stems from his freshman year at Co-Lin, where he played only in the season opener before dropping out of school for personal reasons. He was granted a waiver based on financial hardship and returned the following year at the Wesson school. <br> <br> But Mississippi State has discovered that original waiver applies only on the community college level. <br> <br> According to the NCAA, Jackson, who started six of the 12 games he played in last season, has already used his four years of college eligibility. <br> <br> ``We expect to hear something soon,&#39;&#39; Mississippi State football coach Jackie Sherrill told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal of Tupelo. ``I expect him to be playing this year.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Bracky Brett, MSU&#39;s coordinator of compliance, said Jackson enrolled at MSU under the impression he had three years left to play. <br> <br> ``In the eyes of NCAA, Kamau has already played four years,&#39;&#39; Brett said. ``One play of one game counts as an entire season. And unfortunately, the only waiver the NCAA recognizes is medical.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Last year, defensive back Demetric Wright was granted a medical hardship after suffering an injury in the season opener at Oregon. Although he was classified as a senior at the time, his total playing time for the year was less than 20 percent of the season, and his waiver was granted. <br> <br> As for Jackson, Brett said other players at different schools with similar situations have won their appeal. <br> <br> Players report for fall drills on Aug. 3, with the first game slated for Aug. 30 at home against Oregon. <br> <br> Jackson has played in 23 games for Mississippi State, starting seven. He has been credited with 96 tackles, including 47 last year.

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