NCAA denies Kristian Fulton’s appeal, keeping the cornerback out for 2018 season

The pleas from LSU’s defensive back room to “Free K Baby” have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

Cornerback Kristian Fulton’s appeal of his suspension was denied by the NCAA on Thursday night, upholding the two-year suspension and effectively taking Fulton out of play for the 2018 season.

Fulton was suspended two years by the NCAA for tampering with a drug test, which is standard — albeit unprecedented — NCAA policy. Attorney Don Jackson, a lawyer hired by the family, was successful in getting Fulton’s case re-opener, but an NCAA committee on Thursday upheld the initial decision.

Below is a statement released by Jackson via a Facebook account:

The next step for Fulton and Co. will be to seek a waiver from the NCAA, Jackson told Sports Illustrated. Such a waiver would allow Fulton to play in 2018, but it seems like a long shot given his freshly-denied appeal.

LSU has supported Fulton throughout the saga and LSU coach Ed Orgeron decided he’d continue to take first- and second-team reps in fall camp while the Tigers awaited a decision from the NCAA.

Now that Fulton is in all likelihood out for 2018, Orgeron has a decision to make regarding whether to re-distribute those reps to defensive backs who are eligible to make an impact this season.

“We haven’t discussed that yet,” Orgeron said Wednesday. “To be honest with you, he’s taken first- and second-team reps the whole time, and I don’t think we’re going to change. Obviously we’re going to let him practice. What we’re doing right, in fall camp, isn’t getting ready for an opponent, but letting everybody get better.”

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