hardship waiver route, when there appear to be some fairly specific rules (miles from home).

He'd have had a slam dunk otherwise, if you go by the wording of the newer rules.

"documented mitigating circumstances that are outside the student-athlete's control and directly impact the health, safety and well-being of the student-athlete."

Seems the original route was a mistake in the first place. IMO, the NCAA will fix this.