TSU Divens says ineligibility more painful than injury

Photo: TSU Defensive lineman Lamar Divens (right)

Photo: Tennessee State University Athletics Director, Teresa L. Phillips

Paperwork error cost TSU tackle eight games in '06

By MIKE ORGAN, Tennessean Staff Writer

Lamar Divens will start practicing this week with Tennessee State's football team. He tweaked his knee just before preseason camp began.

It was not a big deal. An X-ray revealed no damage and even before seeing a doctor Divens promised he would be on the field soon.

A sore knee is nothing compared to the obstacle that kept Divens out of action for most of last season.

A clerical error limited the 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive lineman from Fayetteville, Tenn., to three games.

"I didn't think the knee was anything too serious," said Divens, a junior. "I'm really looking forward to getting back out there."

Devastating news

Divens had six tackles, including one for a safety, through three games at defensive tackle last season. But just as TSU was preparing for its first trip to play Vanderbilt, Divens' world came crashing down.

He had played for the Commodores in 2005 and transferred. TSU's athletic administrators received a phone call from Vanderbilt officials, who said they had provided erroneous information to the NCAA pertaining to Divens' transcript.

After several days it was determined that Divens wasn't eligible. He spent the remainder of the year practicing, but wasn't allowed to play or travel with the team.

"Practicing and knowing I wasn't going to be able to play the next Saturday was like I was practicing without a purpose,'' Divens said.

"It was discouraging and I felt like I had no reason for being out there."

The big picture

Divens might have had difficulty seeing the big picture, but TSU Coach James Webster did not.

"Lamar Divens is a special player and a special kid,'' Webster said.

"He went through a lot last year and he's going to be better for it. It's a shame he's hurt his knee. He was working out hard, training hard and looked great. He just wants to get back out there so much."

TSU did not have to forfeit the two wins that Divens played in because it was determined the university was not at fault.

Relations between Vanderbilt and TSU, which were strained at the time, are fine today, according to TSU athletics director Teresa L. Phillips.

"I have seen (Vanderbilt vice-chancellor) David (Williams) several times since then and (director of compliance) Candice Storey and everything is fine between our two schools,'' Phillips said. "Nothing lingered."

Mama knows best

How does Divens feel about Vanderbilt?

"I don't really have much to say about that," he said. "I don't want to step on any toes. I just accept life as it is and go on. I'm making a positive out of a negative. That's what my mama always taught me."

Divens reported to camp 15 pounds lighter, which he hopes helps a team that sorely needs interior defensive linemen. The Tigers lost four key players from last year's unit.

"Our biggest questions are on the defensive line,'' Webster said. "I've got to get three new starting linemen so it will be good to have a player like Divens back in that mix."

Divens moved to the starting team last season. This year he feels more comfortable because he has a better understanding of TSU's 4-3 scheme.

"Moving into a new defense was a lot to get used to. Now I am grasping the concepts better and understanding the goals of this defense," Divens said.