UAB Football Players Free To Transfer To Other Programs

In a glimmer of good news on a dark day, the NCAA announced that UAB’s football players will be able to transfer without having to sit out the 2015 season.

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Tuesday’s announcement that the University of Alabama-Birmingham would shut down its football program was a soul-snatching event for the Blazers’ players, who now lack athletic scholarships while facing an uncertain future. However, the news was brightened a bit by news from the NCAA, which will allow the UAB players to transfer to other programs without the penalty of sitting out the 2015 season.

The former Blazers student-athletes still must ask permission to talk with other schools about a possible transfer, but it is very unlikely any of the players will be denied a chance to do so.

One Blazers player who could get considerable attention will be sophomore running back Jordan Howard, who is seventh among FBS backs with 1,587 yards and 13 touchdowns. At 6’1, 228 pounds, Howard has the type of size and ability to run between the tackles that will make him an intriguing pickup for a program in need of a bruising back who can move the chains.

UAB’s nine recruits who had already verbally committed also find themselves scrambling for options with more than two months from National Signing Day.

Running back Michael Frederick, who had committed to the Blazers in July, said he is now back to square one when it comes to finding another FBS program. Frederick had offers from at least four other schools, and said he is hoping to hear back from at least one of them.

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