NCAA Denies TU's Burnham Sixth Year Of Eligibility

University of Tulsa receiver Bryan Burnham has been denied an extension of eligibility waiver by the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, TU officials announced today. The University of Tulsa has been seeking a sixth year of eligibility for the fifth-year senior and has now submitted an appeal to the NCAA Division I Appeals Committee regarding this decision.

"We're disappointed with this ruling and after consultation with Bryan's family the decision has been made to file an appeal," said Head Coach Bill Blankenship. "It's unfortunate that Bryan lost the 2012 season due to an ACL injury after just one game and the 2008 season due to illness, where his health was of utmost concern to the coaching staff."

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Burnham suffered a season ending right knee injury early in the fourth quarter of the 2012 season opener, after already catching a team-high nine passes for 90 yards against Iowa State. In 2008, Burnham was sidelined with an illness that prevented him from playing that season.

The 6'2", 197-pound receiver from Moorestown, New Jersey was Tulsa's leading receiver in 2011 with 54 receptions for 850 yards and nine touchdowns. He had three 100+ receiving games in 2011, including a career-best 146 yards and one TD on 10 catches against Marshall. Burnham also had 113 yards against BYU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl and 101 yards against North Texas.

Burnham has played in 25 career games and has started 14 of those contests. He has caught 63 passes for 940 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. He began his career on the defensive side of the ball before moving to offense in the fall of 2010.