On Wednesday, big news happened in collegiate athletics as the NCAA approved the one-time transfer rule.
This means athletes in all sports will be able to transfer once and immediately be eligible to play.
The one-time transfer rule for athletes in all sports has been approved by the NCAA’s Division Council.
Athletes in all sports will be able to transfer once and be immediately eligible.
The transfer portal for Baseball is about to explode
— Matt Lisle (@CoachLisle) April 15, 2021
The NCAA has officially passed its new transfer rules: student-athletes are now allowed to transfer once without sitting out a year and are immediately eligible to play at a new school.
As it should be.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 15, 2021
During the start of this offseason, the question surrounding Alabama football fans was on Henry To’o To’o. He started two seasons as a linebacker for the University of Tennessee; however, he entered the transfer portal after multiple recruiting violations hit the program.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder was one of the team leaders for tackles in each of his two seasons.
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To’o To’o recorded a team-high 76 tackles in 2020, including 10 for loss and one sack. He also posted two pass breakups, two quarterback pressures, and one interception. He has played in 23 career games — 22 starts — and made the Freshman All-SEC team in 2019. To’o To’o was a preseason candidate for Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, and Dick Butkus awards in 2020.
Alabama’s had a great spring with Jaylen Moody and Shane Lee stepping up at middle linebacker.
Christian Harris, a junior, is expected to play middle and weakside linebacker in the fall.
Nick Saban is also grooming Jackson Bratton, Deontae Lawson (true freshman), and Ian Jackson (true freshman) for the role too. To’o To’o would be a luxury piece for the Crimson Tide, but the program would not need him. It will be interesting to see what happens moving forward.
To’o To’o will be eligible to play, but it comes down to the Southeastern Conference and Saban.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
