The transfer portal will undergo significant change as a temporary restraining order was issued by U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey Wednesday, and it goes against the NCAA’s rule that multi-time transfers are required to out for a full season.
Although the restraining order is not a final decision, the upcoming 14 day period in which the restraining order will be active will have massive implications on the future of college football. Transfers that are being forced to sit out for a season will now have the opportunity become immediately eligible as a result of the Northern District of West Virginia ruling.
The current rules do not require a waiver to transfer the first time, but upon multiple transfers the NCAA has to sign off on a required waiver to grant eligibility. The current rule does not apply to graduate transfers as they are immediately eligible. An appeal from the NCAA is likely, but the next hearing isn’t until Dec. 27.
The NCAA is struggling to effectively maintain order in a new era of college football. Guidelines and precedents are few and far between when it comes to NIL and the transfer portal. In an article from CBSNews, the NCAA said in a statement what their stance will be moving forward.
“As a result of today’s decision impacting Division I student-athletes, the Association will not enforce the year in residency requirement for multiple-time transfers and will begin notifying member schools,” the NCAA said in a statement.
North Carolina Tar Heels’ wide receiver Devontez Walker is the poster boy for issues with the transfer portal
North Carolina wide receiver Devontez “Tez” Walker was a player like many others, directly affected by the NCAA’s handling of multi-time transfers. Walker originally played at Kent State, and he transferred to North Carolina Central before the 2020 season.
Walker never saw the field at North Carolina Central due to COVID-19. The pandemic completely wiped out NCCU’s 2020 season, but that did not seem to matter when it came to the NCAA’s decision regarding his eligibility.
North Carolina went back-and-forth with the NCAA for the first portion of the 2023 season. They finally managed to get the NCAA to overturn their decision in October. After being able to participate with his team in October, Walker made huge contributions and helped the Tar Heels win games.
Walker amassed nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns on 41 receptions in just eight games. He had multiple receptions in every game and had three games with over 100 yards receiving. His most notable performances came against a conference rival in the Duke Blue Devils and two other conference opponents in the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Cavaliers.
Walker had seven receptions for 162 yards to propel the Tar Heels over their hated rival in a 47-45 overtime thriller. He had 11 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Cavaliers, and three touchdowns en route to a win over the Hurricanes.
The rule clearly affected North Carolina’s ability to compete. The effects of the rule go beyond football as there are several basketball players that have been sidelined as well. Situations like this were the source of scrutiny directed towards the NCAA, as their process is not seen as objective.
Walker has also declared for the 2024 NFL draft. This means that the NCAA could have not only affected his team’s ability to compete, but they could’ve directly affected his draft stock, and ability to earn in the future.
— TEZ!!! (@DevontezWalker) December 12, 2023
Fans react to the new temporary layout of the transfer portal
NCAA football fans are gearing up for a wild two weeks with this new ruling. Certain players that may have hesitated to enter the portal due to this rule now have more freedom.
You think the transfer portal is crazy right now? Just wait…https://t.co/KMPkhzQr1y
— SanDiegoJosh (@SanDiegoJosh) December 13, 2023
Although this rule can help players in need, it can negatively affect teams and their future roster plans. Certain programs may have planned for the future with the idea that this rule would still be in place. Now those plans might blow up as players make decisions they wouldn’t have made previously.
And yes this ruling today can definitely also adversely affect teams who have players they knew had to stay on the roster for at least one more year before entertaining any transfer thoughts and now the door is open with the transfer portal window closing only on January 3rd. https://t.co/9ryBncoKUc
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) December 13, 2023
With a new ruling against the NCAA today, the transfer portal is just free agency. https://t.co/Gf0ohHVWv9
— Scarlet & Game (@ScarletAndGame) December 13, 2023
No notable portal entrances have occurred directly as a result of this rule yet, but the next two weeks might hold something unprecedented in the world of college football.
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