NCAA denies Iowa DE Drew Ott's bid for year of eligibility

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa defensive end Drew Ott's college career is finished after his appeal for an extra year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA.

Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed the NCAA's decision to deny Ott a medical hardship waiver.

''Drew has done such a great job, and it's a tough situation. Beyond that, I am disappointed with the decision and also disappointed at the process,'' Ferentz said Wednesday. ''I was a little bit hopeful and mildly optimistic this ruling would go the other way. It didn't. The good thing is, the comforting thing is, I know he's got a bright future and he's going to do well in whatever he chooses to do moving on.''

Ott suffered knee and elbow injuries early last season, which kept him out of Iowa's final eight games. He had hoped to put off the NFL for another season, but instead he will have to take his chances in the draft without being able to work out for any teams.

Ott entered Iowa's starting lineup in 2013, making 50 tackles. He was a second-team All-Big Ten pick as a junior, leading the Hawkeyes with eight sacks and twelve tackles for loss. Last season, Ott had five sacks in six games before injuries forced him to the sidelines.

Ott spent months wondering whether he'd play for Iowa next season. But he didn't find out until this week that his career with the Hawkeyes was over.

''It's really confusing,'' Ott said. ''There was just a lot of steps that they have to go through and things like that. So hopefully they can get that a little more streamlined for the next person.''

Ott's departure will likely give redshirt freshman Matt Nelson a chance to start next fall.