One more year: NCAA grants two Michigan State players sixth year of eligibility

Michigan State received some good news from the NCAA this week, as two players have been granted a sixth year of eligibility, according to a report.

Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press reported that punter Jake Hartbarger and wide receiver/punt returner Brandon Sowards were both granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. The two players both received waivers due to injury.

MSU confirms that P Jake Hartbarger and WR/PR Brandon Sowards both were granted a sixth year of eligibility as an injury waiver from the NCAA.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) May 9, 2019

Hartbarger was Michigan State’s starting punter to begin the 2018 season, but was forced to miss the rest of the year after suffering a lower leg injury in the fourth quarter against Arizona State. It was just the second game of the season for the Spartans.

Hartbarger has been Michigan State’s starting punter since the 2015 season and averaged 42 yards per kick in 2017, his last full season.

Sowards missed the entire 2017 season due to a knee injury suffered in preseason camp. His first season in East Lansing was in 2014, when he was redshirted as a true freshman.

Last fall, Sowards played in all 13 games and made four starts for the Spartans. He caught a career-high 18 passes for 201 yards. He’s also served as the team’s punt returner while at Michigan State.

Michigan State opens the 2019 season against Tulsa on Friday, Aug. 30 at Spartan Stadium.