ASU P Michael Turk granted rare waiver, returns after going undrafted
Jun 3, 2020, 5:46 PM | Updated: 6:00 pm
Arizona State punter Michael Turk is returning to the program despite declaring for the NFL Draft, participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, signing with an agent and going undrafted.
That’s because Turk was granted an “unprecedented” waiver from the NCAA, largely on the basis that COVID-19 affected his chances of being drafted due to his inability to be a part of pro days, team workouts and in-person interviews.
“We had no idea,” Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards said regarding if the waiver would go through on Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo Wednesday.
“It’s a good thing for him, good thing for our football team as well, so we’re excited about the opportunity of bringing him back.”
This gets complicated for the Sun Devils because ASU landed former Florida State punter Logan Tyler to replace Turk.
Turk, who will now be a junior, averaged 46.0 yards per punt on 59 punts last season. That ranked 11th in the FBS and led the Pac-12.
Turk was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team following the season as well.
He also finished as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, an annual award given to college football’s best punter.