QB Del Rio cleared to play for the Beavers

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Alabama transfer Luke Del Rio has been granted eligibility to play this season for Oregon State.

Del Rio, the son of former NFL linebacker and current Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, was a walk-on quarterback for the Crimson Tide last season.

Del Rio will play as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining under the NCAA ruling Friday. He will compete with fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Kempt and sophomore Brent VanderVeen to back up senior Sean Mannion this season.

"I knew it was going to be yes or no so I was kind of on pins and needles," Del Rio said. "It's more relief than anything. I've been waiting for two months. I'm really excited."

Normally players who transfer must sit out a season under NCAA rules. Del Rio's situation was unique because he was a walk-on.

As a senior at Colorado's Valor Christian High School in 2012, Del Rio passed for 2,275 yards and 28 touchdowns in leading the Eagles to the 5A state championship.

"We were thinking he would not be eligible for the year and were preparing for him for the following season," Beavers coach Mike Riley said. "This is good news. It gives us one more guy in the mix immediately."

Oregon State went 7-6 last season, capping off the year with a 38-23 victory over Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl.