It appears the NCAA Division I Council is moving ahead with its plans for a one-time, immediate eligibility transfer rule.
Athlon college football writer Bryan Fisher and The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach both reported Monday sources indicate the D-I council will vote on a blanket waiver to allow one-time transfers for the upcoming year at their April meeting after basketball’s Final Four.
The blanket waiver would be in place if the full NCAA body has not put the rule into legislation by the start of next season.
That’s what the NCAA had planned to have in place already, but the Department of Justice forced the NCAA to pause that quest back in January as a new presidential administration was inaugurated and put in place.
The pair also reported the D-I Council will be finalizing plans next week for post May 31 recruiting that could involve having summer camps and a possible quiet period.
The May 31 date is the current recruiting dead period deadline, one that has now been in place over a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and has prohibited official visitors to college campuses.
While a dead period allows no face-to-face contact between coaches and prospects, a quiet period allows the players to visit campuses and talk with coaches, but does not allow college coaches to recruit anywhere off campus.
The immediate eligibility rule effects the Arkansas program positively in at least two areas, but there is also a possible negative side.
It solidifies that Charlotte transfer offensive tackle Ty’Kieast Crawford (6-5, 335) will be able to play this season for the Razorbacks and will have a chance to compete for the starting right tackle spot. He is practicing this spring with the Hogs.
“We certainly wouldn’t have gone out to get him if we didn’t think he could be the future,” Pittman said. “How fast the future is depends on how fast he learns the offense because he’s very, very talented.”
It also broadens the transfer portal possibilities for Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and his staff to makes additions to his defensive line before next season.
“We’re always available for a transfer,” Pittman said. “ You know, I like to build the team through the high school ranks if we can. I think that’s good for longevity.
“…But look, we need some help there, and we’re certainly looking into the portal at the D-line to see if we can’t find somebody to come help us. I know we’ve talked a lot about a pass rusher, but we need a run stopper in there, as well.
“So, we have three scholarships we can push forward (into the 2022 recruiting class) if need be, and if we find a guy we think can come in here and start for us or help us tremendously then we would give that scholarship to them. But that would be in the D-line is where I’m specifically looking.”
Auerbach notes that the transfers could only happen if it is your first transfer from a four-year school and if the student-athlete is in good academic standing.
The player and his new head coach will also have to certify that no impermissible recruiting occurred prior to the athlete entering the portal.
That would likely stem the tide of too many transfers, but also the negative for Arkansas and others is there will still be plenty of players who might leave one program for another.
Pittman has 15 early scholarship enrollees that will be going through spring practice, which began Tuesday.
Defensive back transfers Trent Gordon (Penn State) and Darrell Wilson (Marian University) and junior college defensive tackle signee Jalen Williams join 12 high school scholarship and walk on early enrollees.
Pittman believes his returning players have set a culture and mindset for the new additions.
“…We’ve got a team now that can teach you how to work,” Pittman said. “If you walk into our DB group right now and you’re not willing to work, you’re going to stick out. I think that’s how to be a blue-collar team, the work ethic we have, the attitude that we have right now.
“I think those are the keys for like Jalen and Trent and those guys that came in. I think just learning how we do things here is very beneficial. Certainly spring ball is going to benefit them, as well, but I think who we are and how we approach our day, I think is a big deal for those young kids and for the transfers to come in and learn.”