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| All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney will miss the 2013 season for personal reasons. (Bethune-Cookman photo) |
It appears that Bethune-Cookman will be looking to defend it’s 2012 MEAC title without a big part of its offensive line, literally and figuratively. The university released a statement announcing that All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney will sit out the 2013 season for personal reasons.
Breaking News: Bethune-Cookman All-American LT Terrance Hackney stepping away from the team for personal reasons. Stay tuned for more.
– HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday) August 12, 2013
There have been reports that Hackney was ruled academically ineligible, but that has not been confirmed as the university does not release personal info on its students. According to head coach Brian Jenkins, while Hackney won’t suit up for the Wildcats this season, he will remain at the university.
“Terrance [Hackney] and I have had several conversations, and we both agree that there are goals bigger than playing football,” BCU coach Brian Jenkins said in a statement. “We plan on providing him all the assistance needed in achieving his ultimate goal of graduating from Bethune-Cookman University.”
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe 6’6, 310 pound junior from Chapel Hill, NC helped BCU to a 9-3 record and a playoff appearance last season. The Wildcats led the MEAC in total offense last year, gaining 387 yards per game. Hackney and the offensive line allowed just 24 sacks in 12 games.
In our Bethune-Cookman preview last week, we talked about how it could possibly break the MEAC’s decade-plus playoff losing streak. Even with this loss, BCU should still have enough firepower on both sides of the ball to be considered as the favorite for the conference title. But replacing a guy like Hackney is never easy, especially with the start of the season less than three weeks away.