The NFL has granted Weslye Saunders a mulligan, as the league has decided that the former South Carolina tight end will be eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft after all.
The immensely talented but troubled Gamecock was eligible to declare for the draft but he failed to submit the proper paperwork to the league office on time. Even though Saunders missed the January 15th deadline, his agent Butch Williams filed for an appeal and the NFL has now cleared the tight end to participate in the draft, as well as the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine (Feb 23-36 for tight ends).
In 2009, Saunders caught 32 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns but was suspended indefinitely from the program on Aug. 23 for violating team rules and was later kicked off the team after it was revealed that he received improper benefits from an agent.