Based on my understanding the options are
1. waiver is granted and last year is his redshirt so he is a Sophomore this year.
2. Waiver is denied and last year was his sophomore year so he redshirts this year instead of wasting the junior year on a meaningless half season and starts next year as a junior.
The waiver is for the additional year it isn’t a cut and dry 2 years. Guessing they have to substantiate why the 4 games at Pitt shouldn’t count which is the hold up. Not as clear cut as the injury to Cope.