Decision looming

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AUBURN, Ala. | The long wait for Danjel Purifoy is nearing an end.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl expects the ACT testing center to rule on Purifoy's eligibility before the end of the year.

"The options are he could be eligible immediately or he would be a partial qualifier and therefore sit out the year," Pearl said. "The great news is that the NCAA has agreed that based on everything that's gone on, Danjel is able to be on full scholarship, which is a blessing. I think they've done what's in the best interest of the student athlete in that regard. I'm grateful for that.

"The rest of it is simply his eligibility piece, whether he's eligible to play, and we won't know that until probably a few weeks."

Purifoy signed with Auburn out of Hargrave Military Academy as the No. 69 overall prospect in the 2015 class. He enrolled this fall and is practicing with the team while the ACT reviews his test score, which was flagged after a too great of an increase.

"It's not an internal compliance issue. It's an issue with a testing agency," Pearl said. "I have gotten questions about compliance from the standpoint of is this an Auburn self-inflicted situation and it's absolutely not. We were required to do certain things that we did as it relates to every student-athlete's eligibility.

"So upon doing them certain things do get flagged and his increase got flagged. That's the issue. We did everything we were supposed to do from a compliance standpoint, nothing more and nothing less. If there's any blame to be put out there it's not on our compliance office."

If Purifoy is ruled a partial qualifier there is a question whether or not he can continue practicing with the team. He will be allowed to stay on full scholarship and be eligible to play next season.

"That is a decision that is also going to be determined whether he can continue to practice with the team," Pearl said.

Pearl didn't offer any odds on Purifoy's chances for being cleared to play this season.

"I'm not in control," he said. "I'm preparing without him and keeping him ready."

Pearl would welcome Purifoy to the playing rotation this season. The true freshman could push for a starting position.

"You guys just come to practice and watch him and you can see what a difference he would make," Pearl said. "I've never said he's our best player, but I have said he's our best pro prospect in the sense of what he has. I still think he's a really good professional prospect."

Auburn's players are finishing up finals this week as they prepare to play at Middle Tennessee Saturday. Pearl said it's been a good first semester for Purifoy in the classroom.

"He's doing well," he said.