Pearman, of Charlotte, N.C., submitted the paper work two weeks ago.

Pearman, who was redshirting this season, has been on an excused leave of absence from the team for more than a week. He did not attend last week's game against Idaho at Aloha Stadium.

UH coach June Jones had said Pearman was "homesick."

NCAA rules require Pearman to sit out another football season if he transfers to a Division I school.

He could play next season if he transfers to a Division II school.

The scholarship release allows Pearman to accept a football scholarship as early as the spring semester from his next school. Without the release, he would not be able to receive a football scholarship until the season he is eligible to play.

Pearman was considered to be the jewel of UH's 2004 recruiting class. Last season at Providence High in Charlotte, he rushed for a county-record 2,268 yards.