Ryan Trahan Nearly Ruled Ineligible for Popular YouTube Channel

By Adam Kopet

Texas A&M freshman Ryan Trahan nearly lost his NCAA eligibility this week when it came to light his popular YouTube channel he used to promote a business he started in high school violated NCAA policies, according to Chris Chavez of Sports Illustrated.

The problem came from how Trahan mixed his two passions, running and his business on his YouTube channel that has 14,000 subscribers and has had nearly one million views. On his YouTube channel, he promotes Neptune water bottles from the business he co-founded with a friend last year.

Trahan finished runner-up at the Texas UIL 3A State Cross Country Championships last year for Altair Rice TX. He also finished second in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters at the Texas UIL 3A State Outdoor Championships in May.

Texas A&M released a statement Friday stating an NCAA waiver had been granted so that Trahan can compete in Saturday's Texas A&M Invitational. Trahan will need to maintain separate social media accounts, one that he can talk about running for Texas A&M and the other for his business.

Trahan has run one race for Texas A&M so far this season, prior to the potential NCAA violation coming to light. He finished 41st at the Bulldog SEC Preview on Sept. 9.