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NCAA considering drastic changes to football transfer rules

By Jason Parker

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 05: A detail of giant NCAA logo is seen outside of the stadium on the practice day prior to the NCAA Men's Final Four at the Georgia Dome on April 5, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 05: A detail of giant NCAA logo is seen outside of the stadium on the practice day prior to the NCAA Men's Final Four at the Georgia Dome on April 5, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The NCAA is considering a change to their rule regarding transfer athletes that could become a huge game changer for the entire sport.

Every off season in the world of college football, fans of different schools focus on not just what recruiting class they are going to bring in – but what transfers they can get to switch to their school from another institution. For those who haven’t graduated, the NCAA still requires you to sit out one year if you go from one FBS school to another.

Now, the governing body of college sports is considering several possible changes to that policy – including one that could be an instant game changer for those who love the game.

Wednesday, the NCAA announced they are considering several different models regarding the rule of undergrads wanting to go leave their current FBS program without a degree (as graduates are currently allowed to transfer without losing eligibility:

"Members discussed two models: One model would require every transfer student to sit out a year to acclimate to a new school; the other would allow all transfers to play immediately provided they present academic credentials that predict graduation at the new institution."

IF that second model is the one that is chosen, you can expect it to basically be a free agent market every summer the likes of which the NBA hasn’t seen. Players who are upset after just one or two seasons at their current school will be on the first thing smoking to the highest (theoretical) bidder.

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The NCAA also addressed several more possibilities with this issue, including allowing a transfer athlete to not need his current school’s approval – effectively stopping the practice of coaches saying what schools an athlete can’t transfer to – as well as putting more penalties on coaches who tamper to get an athlete to transfer an an effort to curb a potential spike in transfers should there no longer be a one year waiting period.

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