High school athletes who want to get recruited sometimes jump on the first offer or opportunity they come across, but hidden complexities in the NCAA transfer process make it more difficult to transfer than most athletes expect.
Nerman Delic, a defensive tackle at Kentucky, illustrates why the transfer process requires thought before action. Delic recently transferred from Kentucky, an FBS school, to Georgia State, an FCS school. Typically when an athlete
Image from 247 Sports
transfers from an FBS to an FCS school they are not required to sit out a year. This situation is slightly different though because Georgia State is set to move into the FBS next year; because of this, the NCAA told Delic he must sit out a year of competition. The NCAA does not have to comment or explain why they decide to accept or deny a transfer waiver.
Ultimately, Delic is happy with his decision because he will have two years of eligibility left and he can finish out his playing career about an hour from where he grew up; but, it shows how what seems like a relatively straight-forward process can become more challenging than expected.
If you are thinking about transferring or you are attending a school with the sole purpose of transferring, there are some things we think you should consider.
Make Good Choices Early
Sometimes transferring is necessary, but you can increase your chances of avoiding it by starting your recruiting early. Figure out what schools are best for you. Don’t just window shop by school name. Learn about class sizes, majors, academic support, the training facilities, and visit as many campuses as you can. The better fit a college is for you, the more likely it is you end up graduating from there.
Think About the Consequences of Transferring
How much eligibility do you have left? Is it worth it to sit out a year? Nermin Delic doesn’t mind having to sit out a year to play for a couple years near his hometown. How would that decision affect you? If you are holding on to your valuable years of eligibility and don’t want to lose any, transferring might not be a good option for you.
Know the Transfer Rules Before Entering College
If you are attending a school with the sole purpose of transferring, you are better off looking at a junior college or an NAIA school. It is much easier to transfer from one of these schools to an NCAA division I or II school than it is to go from an NCAA school to another NCAA school.
Fully Evaluate Your Situation Before Trying to Transfer
If you are transferring from an NCAA division I or II school then you will need a waiver from your athletic department just to discuss transfer options with other coaches. If a coach finds out that you have contacted them without a waiver, then they will not continue to speak with you (and if they do then it’s a violation).
Asking your athletic department for a waiver can create a rift between you and a coach, which can lead to you losing playing time if you decide not to transfer. You are not allowed to constantly look for opportunities while continuing to play, which creates a situation where an athlete must choose to transfer or stay, likely before they even know what opportunities are available.
Do you have any questions about the transfer process? Just leave your question in the comments section below, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+!
div1 fall 2012 baseball, where can he transfer to play 2013 spring baseball
Generally you have to sit out a year when you transfer. So if you play this year and transfer next year you would have to sit out and can play during the 2014/15 school year. However, there are several waiver options and you can sometimes play right away. If you would like email us for more details or you can contact your athletic department and ask the compliance office there. Best of luck.
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how long must sit out from dv1 fall baseball to transfer to div1
When you are transferring most of the time you need to sit out one year.
I have a daughter who redshirted at a D1 school 2011-2012 as a freshman on the softball team. Can she transfer this January to another D1 school and play this year.
If she did not play softball the 2012-13 school year she should have no issues.
If my son plays for a division III school and wants to transfer to a Div 1 school does he still need a waiver from the athletic department?
Here is everything you need to know about the transfer process from one four year school to another ( http://www.athleticscholarships.net/college-transfer-4-4.htm). At the DIII level, you have what is called a self release. Good luck.
I have a full ride athletic scholarship (golf) to a NAIA school. I am a transfer from a JUCO. I had to take an unexpected medical red-shirt this year (my first year with NAIA) due to a simple operation. I am wanting to transfer to a DI or DII school as I am not happy at my NAIA school. I have a good relationship with my current NAIA coach and have expressed my desire to talk with other coaches, and he has agreed to a release. If I transfer will I have to sit out a year? And, do I still have 2 years of eligibility left?
If you signed an NLI with the NAIA school most likely you will have to sit out a year. How many years you have left will depend on if you get the paper work done for medical redshirt and don’t use your normal redshirt. Good luck!
I have not signed anything this year for next. The paperwork for the medical redshirt was done in Fall 2012 after I found out surgery would keep me from swinging for several weeks. I got sick literally during our first Fall tournament and went to the hospital but I did complete the tournament. My coach said the medical redshirt went through.
That is good news you have the medical shirt done. If you have the release, I suggest you begin contacting coaches right away and finding opportunities at the D1 level. Because you are under an NLI currently, and are using a release, typically, athletes need to sit out one year. There are several waivers that you might be able to use, but all of that will be done by the coaches at the university you transfer to.
If you transfer from D II to D I do you have to still sit out a year ?.
Not necessarily. If you are granted a one time transfer exception, you can play right away. You can work with the athletic departments of the school you are leaving and the school you are going to, in order to get the waiver completed. Good luck.
I transfered to a JC in California after my freshman year of college baseball. I was ijured and did not play. I have requested a medical reshirt. if I decide not to play baseball at the JC do I have 4 year of eligibilty left for a DI school?
It will come down to if you are granted the medical redshirt. Generally, you are only granted a medical redshirt if you have already used your redshirt. At this point, it sound like you used one year your frshman year, your redshirt this year and have three years left. If you are granted the medical, then you will still need a sixth year exemption to get the full four years you are talking about. Once you get to a university you can work with you athletic program to get the sixth year waiver.
If you are a sophomore on a DII softball team, but the coach doesnt play you, what are ghe rules of transfer and eligibility if you go to NAIA school or DI?
Here are the complete transfer rules (http://www.athleticscholarships.net/ncaa-transfer-rules.htm). You will most likely have to sit out a year, but there are some waiver opportunities explained in more detail in the page I linked to.
what are the requirements if transferring from a JC to a FCS school?
Here is all of the information you need to know on how to transfer from a JUCO to a DI school http://www.athleticscholarships.net/junior-college-transfer-2-4.htm.