Tyler Shelvin to Enroll, Take ‘Academic Redshirt’

LSU’s depth chart at nose tackle took a hit on Thursday, with confirmation that massive true freshman Tyler Shelvin will be taking an academic redshirt in 2017.

From The Advocate on Saturday:

Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed Saturday that nose tackle signee Tyler Shelvin will not be eligible to play this season, and he also revealed that backup nose tackle Ed Alexander has been limited with injury and is out of condition.

The NCAA only partially granted Shelvin’s eligibility, allowing him to practice and be on scholarship but not play in games, something The Advocate reported Friday. A key member to the Tigers’ 2017 signing class, Shelvin was expected to potentially contribute in a rotation at that position this year, Orgeron said over the summer.

Shelvin was known to be an academic risk since transferring to Notre Dame High School in Crowley, La. for his senior season. He will enroll in classes at LSU tomorrow, and be eligible to practice and work out with the team as a full member, just ineligible to play. Buck linebacker Andre Anthony was a similar case last season.

LSU returns senior Greg Gilmore at the nose tackle spot and sophomore Ed Alexander, but Shelvin had a great chance to provide depth and quality backup snaps this year. Although it is a silver lining that he can enroll, rather than have to go to a junior college and be re-recruited again in two seasons.