NCAA rules Auburn fullback Jay Prosch is eligible to play right away in 2012

AUBURN, Ala. — The NCAA has granted a hardship waiver to Auburn fullback Jay Prosch, a move that allows the transfer from Illinois to play right away instead of having to sit out a full season.

Prosch, a 6-foot, 253-pounder who drew rave reviews from teammates during spring ball for his blocking ability, transferred to Auburn at the start of the spring semester to be closer to his ailing mother, who is battling brain cancer.

Unable to make the trip to his hometown of Mobile — he played at UMS-Wright in high school — very often during his two-year career at Illinois, Prosch’s move to be closer to his family member made him eligible to apply for a hardship waiver and play immediately.

“I’m extremely blessed and very thankful to have my waiver cleared by the NCAA,” Prosch said. “I’m excited and can’t wait for my mother and family to see me play this fall.”

Hardship waivers are generally only granted to athletes who have family members facing medical issues.

“We’re happy for Jay,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said, “and are appreciative for their understanding of his desire to attend school and play closer to home so that he could spend more time with his family.”

An eligible Prosch gives Auburn one of the best blocking backs in the country immediately to pave holes in new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler’s pro-style scheme.

A two-year starter at Illinois, Prosch has been routinely recognized as one of the best blockers out of the backfield in the country. He earned first team All-American honors from Pro Football Weekly last year.

The arrival of Prosch also allows tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen to move back to his natural position as a receiver.

Used mostly as a lead blocker out of the backfield last season, Lutzenkirchen caught 24 passes and seven touchdowns, but Prosch’s addition could allow the star senior to be a much bigger player in the passing game.

If the NCAA had not ruled Prosch eligible to play right away, the Tigers would have began two-a-days in the fall without a true fullback.

“They call him the Juggernaut,” Auburn running backs coach Curtis Luper said in the spring. “There aren’t many guys who can power clean 400 pounds and run like he can run and block like he can, be as flexible as he, have the hands he has. He’s a prototype fullback.”

This story was originally published June 21, 2012 at 5:44 PM with the headline "NCAA rules Auburn fullback Jay Prosch is eligible to play right away in 2012."