USF Football OL Grant Polk Is Medically Disqualified Due to Concussions

Our friend Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times reported late last night that USF football offensive lineman Grant Polk has been medically disqualified due to multiple concussions within the last calendar year.

Polk transferred from UVA during fall camp in 2016 and sat out to satisfy the NCAA transfer rule. He appeared in three games as a reserve offensive lineman for starter Eric Mayes. He was squarely in the mix for extended playing time in 2018 as he took over at LT for Mayes this spring because he had minor knee surgery.

Scary stuff from Knight’s article:

Polk sustained his first concussion the first practice after last year’s season opener against San Jose State, and his second last month in the early stage of spring practice. He didn’t suit up for Saturday’s spring game.

”The second one was pretty bad,” Mike Polk said. “We had to drive him home. He kept repeating himself and that’s why we were a little worried. He was in a fight in that scrimmage and he didn’t remember.”

To not remember that you were in fight due to a concussion is a pretty strong indication that you need to really consider your long-term health. It’s a good call by him to hang up the cleats and begin to focus on his future.

Polk joins former offensive lineman Reilly Gibbons (reoccurring right knee injuries) as players who have had to give up the game due to injuries. Gibbons would’ve been a a redshirt junior this season.

Along with the departure of Brooks Larkin, Polk’s absence now shines a giant spotlight on a thinned out line. Only seven players suited up in the spring game (Polk was held out) with just William Atterbury Jr as the only one with starting experience.

Good luck in whatever you do next Grant.