Jan. 22, 2002
SAN DIEGO - Akbar Gbaja-Biamila will return to the San Diego State football team in 2002 after receiving a waiver from the NCAA on the five-year eligibility rule.
The sixth year of eligibility was granted in part due to injury. Gbaja-Biamila, a defensive lineman for the Aztecs, missed 10 games during the 2000 football season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.
The younger brother of former Aztec and current Green Bay Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila returned in 2001 to start all 11 games. He recorded 29 tackles, including eight behind the line of scrimmage. He was credited with five quarterback sacks.
While waiting on the outcome of his appeal to the NCAA for another year, Gbaja-Biamila played in the East-West Shrine game at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco, a showcase for potential draftees into the National Football League. He was credited with two quarterback sacks in that contest. However, he did not jeopardize his eligibility while playing in the game.
"There appeared to be some opportunities for me at the next level," Gbaja-Biamila said. "But after learning of the ruling by the NCAA and after long deliberations with those closest to me, I decided to return to San Diego State. I am looking forward to helping coach (Tom) Craft take the program to another level and at the same time continuing my development as a player."