NORMAL - Alabama A&M's top returning tackler will miss the first two games of the season, the NCAA ruled late last week.
Inside linebacker Afu Okosun, a preseason first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection, will miss the Tennessee State and Central State games after it was revealed he played in a game in 2006, his redshirt year, A&M coach Anthony Jones said.
"This was clearly a misunderstanding of the rules," Jones said. "He played in a game and that could have counted as a year of competition. We sought a waiver and the NCAA granted it. Because he played in one game, he has to sit out two."
Initially, Okosun said he was told before training camp that he was ineligible this season because he played against Grambling, the second game of the season, in 2006.
"I was blindsided by it," the 5-foot-9, 255-pounder said. "I was devastated because I didn't know if I was going to get a chance to play this year."
Because A&M had not received word on Okosun's eligibility, inside linebackers coach Jay Martin moved sophomore Larry Lumpkin ahead of him at Mike linebacker just over a week ago.
"We had to get somebody else ready just in case," Martin said.
School officials filed a waiver and fortunately, the NCAA ruled in A&M's favor, although Okosun has to miss two games. Okosun got the news Thursday.
"Coach Martin texted me," he said. "My prayers were answered."
Relieved to be able to play his senior year, Okosun is angry he has to miss two games.
"I didn't do anything wrong, but those are the rules," he said. "I'd rather play nine (games) than not play at all."
Jones was thrilled with the NCAA's ruling.
"We're happy we're going to have him this year, even though he has to miss two games," he said. "It's tough, but it beats the alternative. He can continue to practice and when he's able to play, we'll welcome him back. Hopefully, we'll be able to withstand that blow."
Okosun led the Bulldogs with 79 tackles last season and was named a first-team All-SWAC preseason pick last month at the league's annual media day.
"Not having Afu is going to hurt us," Martin said. "We're going to miss his athleticism and his knowledge. He knows our defense inside and out because he's been here for five years. Fortunately, he only has to miss the first two games, because at one point we didn't know if he would be able to play at all this season.
"I'm sure once he gets back, he'll be ready to go."
Lumpkin, who has all-star potential, will start in place of Okosun.
A 6-0, 240-pound sophomore, Lumpkin was seventh on the team last season with 43 tackles.
"Larry is coming along pretty good," Martin said. "He's still trying to get the system down."
Junior Willie Fuller, who starts alongside Okosun, will call the defense in his absence, Towns said.
"Afu has started for us and has played in this defense for three years," Towns said. "He knows the defense and has made adjustments for us in the past. Larry has to make those adjustments now."
Okosun says he'll be there to help him.
"Maybe I can do some sideline coaching," he said. "I know Larry and Fuller are capable of going in there and doing a good job."