SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) The NCAA has denied a transfer waiver seeking immediate eligibility for Syracuse offensive lineman Chris Bleich.

That means the former Florida lineman, a redshirt sophomore, won't be able to play this fall unless he wins an appeal.

''To all the fans that showed endless support of me since I got here I want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for all your words of encouragement to me in these tough times,'' Bleich wrote Thursday on Twitter. ''But sadly, today I was informed my waiver was denied by the NCAA.''

The 6-foot-6, 330-pound native of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania enrolled for the spring semester at Syracuse and was expected to give the Orange needed depth at guard.

The ruling was a disappointment for fifth-year Orange coach Dino Babers, whose offensive line was riddled with injuries last year and has tight end/defensive lineman Chris Elmore at guard for Saturday's season opener at No. 18 North Carolina.

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