NCAA Division I Council approves waiver for schools to replace football transfers

Transfers have become common in college football in recent years, and they can take a toll on a team’s roster. Now, there could be some help coming to programs that get hit hard by potential losses.

On Tuesday, the Division I Council approved a waiver of limits on signing and initial counter limits. It would only be in place for 1 year, but schools would be allowed to replace up to 7 football student-athletes who leave in the first term during that time.

Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour, who is also the Division I Football Oversight Committee chair, issued a statement regarding the approval:

Division I Council approves a one-year waiver of signing and initial counter limits to allow schools to replace up to seven football student-athletes who leave school in the first term.

Decisions are not final until the end of tomorrow's meeting. pic.twitter.com/a5u3pP64BV

— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) October 5, 2021

This waiver could be put in place by as soon as Wednesday at the end of the Division I Council’s meeting.

Athletes have been able to transfer and immediately play without sitting a year of late, so this is a move to counter that. Teams will be allowed to replace up to 7 players who enter the NCAA transfer portal at the end of fall term or Dec. 15, whichever is earlier, according to The Athletic.

While this move is only temporary, there’s the possibility of a more permanent situation in the future.

“I don’t think this discussion is ever going to end. I don’t think anybody believes we’re anywhere close to where we need to be,” American Football Coaches Association executive director Todd Berry told The Athletic.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.