Report: NCAA to Vote on One-Time Transfer Waiver in May

College sports could be changing in a big way if an upcoming vote is passed.

According to multiple reports, the NCAA Division I Council is expected to talk about a one-timer transfer waiver when they meet on April 24 and then the committee will then take a vote on that major proposal on May 20. The big thing that’s mentioned in the report is that, if passed, this would be effective immediately, allowing any athlete that’s transferring for the first time to be immediately eligible for the 2020-21 season.

This is a huge development especially when looking at men’s D-I college basketball where 746 players have entered the transfer portal. When you break down that large number, 181 of those players were graduate transfers, meaning 565 were players transferred with the expectation of sitting out the 2020-21 season. If this new rule passes, all of these players would be eligible to play immediately.

When looking at a local angle, Pitt quarterback Joey Yellen, who transfered from Arizona State, would be eligible to compete against Kenny Pickett this season. On the basketball court, Pitt is in the running for Rice transfer Trey Murphy III, and if he chooses Pitt, would be a huge addition this season for Jeff Capel’s 2020-21 team.

Another thing being discussed and possibly voted on will be whether or not student athletes will be able to profit from their name, image and likeness.