Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel says he will stop his attempt to gain a fifth season of eligibility with the Cougars.

Tuel had been out for much of the 2011 season because of injuries, but he told the Seattle Times that the NCAA kept pursuing a line of questioning in which it wanted to know whether he had been "mistreated" by the coaching staff or forced to play again too early.

"That's basically what they were wanting," he said. "I don't feel comfortable saying I was mistreated. I was never mistreated by them. It's (his decision) a combination of that, that how long this has been drug out. If it goes two, three more weeks and they say no, I'm kind of screwed."

Tuel says he now will try to pursue an NFL career.

Tuel came to WSU as a recruit under then-coach Paul Wulff. He went on to pass for 5,936 yards and 33 touchdowns in 31 games with the Cougars.