The NCAA introduced a new redshirt rule that is having unintended consequences early on in the 2018 season, prompting a wave of transfers.
In one of their better moments, the NCAA instituted a new redshirt rule that gives some power back to the athletes rather than propping up their member institutions. Players across all levels can now redshirt provided they play in four or fewer contests during any given season.
The idea was a good one; the unintended consequences have begun to turn the last weekends of September into the college football version of free agency. Four weeks into the 2018 season, players are reaching the point where they must make a hard decision. Is it worth playing one more game or would they be better off testing the market and finding a new school to play for in 2019?
The Alabama quarterback situation has garnered a lot of attention, but Jalen Hurts’ future isn’t the only marquee name in question. Athletes from across the country will be making their decisions soon. Week 5 is approaching. For some, it would be better to step away from the team, finish up their semester and dawn a new uniform in 2019.
Here are the most notable transfers that have made announcements so far:
- Kelly Bryant – QB, Clemson
- T’Rod Daniels – RB, Southern Miss
- Kyrei Fisher – LB, Arkansas
- Taj Griffin – RB, Oregon
- Jalen McCleskey – WR, Oklahoma State
- Nate Craig-Meyers – WR, Auburn
- Devon Modster – QB, UCLA
- Jonathan Nance – WR, Arkansas
- Quez Trigg – RB, Western Kentucky
More and more transfers are being announced — they started to trickle in following the Week 3 results and have picked up over the next week. Don’t miss any of the big names who might be moving on. Check back here for updates on the early season transfers who are trying to take advantage of the new redshirt rule.