James Woodall heard back from the NCAA yesterday that he, too, will be receiving a sixth year of eligibility due to medical hardship.

Woodall, who tore his ACL in a Dec. 30 match, petitioned to the Big Ten and the NCAA requesting an additional year on the "five-year clock." Woodall is the second Lion to get such news in as many weeks, as All-American Eric Bradley got the news on April 5 that he would be allowed back for the 2005-06 campaign.

"To have him back in with his great leadership on the team. Great competitor, great student, great representative for the program," Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said. "It's great to him and Eric back for a sixth year to meet their goals and fulfill their dreams."

Ranked No. 12 in the 149-pound weight class at the time of his injury, he's grateful to get another opportunity to return to the team.

"Getting that sixth year means a lot," Woodall said. "I'm more mature and I know what I need to do and also I'm at that point where I could be graduating. ... You have to look inside to see how much you really want to come back."

-- By Chris Weeden