UIL State Executive Committee rules Southlake Carroll transfer running back ineligible

Charles Baggarly
·2 min read
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Southlake Carroll will have to dig deeper into its depth chart for offensive production.

The UIL State Executive Committee ruled Southlake Carroll running back Riley Wormley ineligible to play in the 2023 season on Monday.

The state committee had previously ruled Wormley ineligible and proceeded to deny the family’s appeal. It was deemed that Wormley transferred from Colleyville Heritage High School in April for athletic purposes.

His family said he transferred due to academic concerns.

Colleyville Heritage representatives said Wormley decided to transfer because of a coaching change. Jerry Edwards, the newly hired head coach, was present in the meeting.

The representatives added they did not see any academic problems, refuting the families’ claim the transfer was made for academics.

State Executive Committee Chair Mike Motheral said there were red flags, saying the the timing of the decision to transfer was “strange.”

Wormley was set to be a force in the Dragon running back room, which needed to replace an incredible amount of production. Owen Allen, one of the greatest running backs in program history, graduated in 2023 and is continuing his athletic career with Air Force.

On June 21, Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge said he was “very excited” about Wormley’s ability.

Dodge does not have a comment on the committee’s decision to rule Wormley ineligible.

Wormely’s father, Adrian Wormley, is a police officer at Durham Intermediate School in the city of Southlake.

“I haven’t spoken to coach Dodge the whole time I was there,” Adrian Wormley said. “So, for you to say it’s for athletic purposes, I just don’t agree with that.”

Wormely, a class of 2025 player, is rated as a three star prospect by 247Sports. He has offers from TCU, Texas and Oklahoma.

The loss of Wormley is significant for the Dragons, but they have a few options. Dodge, in June, said he was excited for senior James Lehman, who has served as the Dragons’ backup for two seasons, and also mentioned sophomore Davis Penn.