Report: NCAA Council makes decision on 1-time transfer rule

The idea of granted all one-time transfer student-athletes immediate eligibility, regardless of sport, is a step closer to becoming a reality.

On Wednesday, Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reported that the NCAA Division I Council approved the proposal and will now vote on the matter in January. If it passes, it’s expected to be implemented by Aug. 1, 2021.

Currently, only a handful of sports require student-athletes to sit out a year if they’re transferring, including football. This would allow all players to transfer for one time without penalty and needing a waiver to participate the following season.

NCAA Council approves proposal to allow 1-time transfers in all sports w/out sitting out a season & will vote on it January for final approval, sources told @Stadium. If approved, as expected, would be effective Aug. 1, 2021

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 14, 2020

A student-athlete transferring a second time will still need an eligibility waiver to participate immediately, even if that player is a graduate transfer.

This idea has been discussed frequently recently, as the NCAA transfer portal as seen quite the increase in the number of student-athletes transferring. It would seem to make life easier for the folks at the NCAA and would prove beneficial for student-athletes.

No specific date was provided regarding a voting date.