East Carolina's football team got some disappointing news two days into spring practice.

The NCAA has ruled reigning American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Nate Harvey will not have an extra year of eligibility.

"The first thing is when I had the opportunity to take the job I had no idea who Nate Harvey was and so over the last three months, I have had the pleasure of getting to know him on a daily basis, what an incredible young man. Unfortunately, I received a phone call last night, our appeal was denied from the NCAA, we respect the decision of the NCAA, at the same time we are disappointed," said ECU coach Mike Houston following spring practice Saturday morning.

Harvey is coming off a banner breakout season where he led the nation at the end of the regular season with 25.5 tackles for loss and 23 solo tackles for loss. He also ranked top five nationally with 14.5 sacks.

The defensive end's application for an extra year of eligibility stemmed from his time at Georgia Military College as a freshman where he played limited snaps. Harvey's played for ECU for two seasons, transferring in from Georgia Military College ahead of the 2017 season. He spent most of his time that year on special teams and as a reserve running back. Harvey made the transition to defense this past offseason under a new defensive staff and excelled at defensive end.

In early February, the NCAA sent ECU's initial application back to the compliance compartment, requesting further information on Harvey's case. East Carolina then gathered the information and returned it to the NCAA's office, and had been waiting on a final decision ever since.

"We've had quite a few players with waivers," Houston said in February. "We had one last year where we didn't think it would go through and it went through, and the kid ended up starting for us. I've been through this process before. It's really a toss-up. It just comes down to who has the case, how they present it and is your information justifiable."

The Knightdale, N.C., native has remained in class this spring semester and has been staying in shape in the weight room along with the rest of the team this offseason until hearing the news. Harvey was not permitted to work out with the team on the field during the application process.

"It would mean everything to me," Harvey said in October of a potential extra year. "I would like to come back and play for my family again for one more year."

Senior guard Branden Pena was already approved for an extra year of eligibility earlier this offseason. His return will add some much-needed experienced depth to the offensive front. Injuries have limited the California native to five total games in three years with the program. He redshirted in 2016, played in the season opener in 2017 before getting hurt and started the first four games of 2018. The 6-foot-2, 288-pounder has the ability to play center or either guard position.