Feb 26, 2015 03:17 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Before Silas Nacita's first season playing football at Baylor University, he was homeless and slept in someone's home, which the NCAA considers an impermissible benefit.

According to ESPN, the walk-on running back apologized Thursday, acknowledging that he "broke the rules." He also said the school's compliance department advised him against accepting such help.

Nacita, who goes by the nickname "Salsa Nacho," originally contested the NCAA's conclusion that he accepted impermissible benefits. Baylor's decision to dismiss Nacita was apparently a preemptive move to avoid NCAA sanctions.

The announcement did not sit well with Shawn Oakman, Baylor's All Big 12 defensive end who became a meme for his towering and imposing stature compared to the smaller players around him. Oakman punctuated a series of tweets with the question, "Who is the NCAA to take someone's dreams from them [because] they can't afford to live [?]"

Nacita's playing career is not necessarily over at Baylor, as coach Art Briles and his staff would reportedly welcome the running back onto the team if he is cleared, ESPN's David Smoak reported.

Nacita's story can be read in full on SI.com thanks to an in-depth profile from Ken Rodriguez.

As indication from his public apology, Nacita seems willing to cooperate with the NCAA and work toward restoring his eligibility and earning a scholarship that would grant him on-campus housing. He had a 4.1 GPA in high school and even earned Academic All Big 12 honors in what was his sophomore season this past year.

"At the time I did not think this was inappropriate behavior, but now I can see that I made a mistake by disregarding guidance from Baylor compliance on what benefits I may accept," he wrote. "I take full responsibility for my choice to accept these inappropriate benefits."

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