Demetris Robertson, the five-star football recruit who transferred this week to Savannah Christian from Savannah Country Day, is not eligible after all – at least for now.
The Georgia High School Association, which had ruled Robertson eligible on Wednesday, reversed field on Thursday because of new information regarding Robertson’s residency status.
To be eligible, Robertson must change residences from one school district to another, relinquishing his old address and living in the new one permanently. Savannah Christian, Robertson’s new school, visited the reported new residence and found that Robertson and his brother, who is a teacher in Chatham County Schools and also Robertson’s guardian, were not living there.
According to a release issued Thursday by the GHSA, “Evidently, the lease on the new residence does not go into effect until Sept. 1 and the lease at the old residence where Robertson lived while attending Savannah Country Day is not up until Aug. 31. In the meantime, Robertson had moved in with friends near Savannah Christian’s campus.’’
Savannah Christian officials told the GHSA that Robertson and his brother still plan to move to the new residence on Sept. 1, at which time the school can resubmit his transfer papers.
“If that occurs and if we can then verify that the family has moved into the new school district, then the student could be ruled eligible at that time under by-law 1.62(b),” said GHSA executive director Gary Phillips in a statement. “But until that time, his eligibility will be withheld.”
That means Robertson can’t play in Savannah Christian’s first two games but could become eligible on Sept. 12 – when Savannah Christian plays Robertson’s former school, Savannah Country Day.
Robertson, rated one of the top three Georgia prospects for the class of 2016, has committed to Alabama.
About the Author
