re: Brandon Kennedy transferring

No, we shouldn't let him transfer to Auburn or UT. There's about 120+ other schools he can transfer to.

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I am 1000% against this. Let him go where he wants.

I lose respect for every coach that pulls this shite.

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Rules are rules.......don't be such a bitch.

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Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

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Doesn't mean you owe anybody shite either....change the rules if you don't like it. We aren't in the business of helping the competition.

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Then drop the "amateur athletics" bullshite and stop the charade of acting like they are regular students.

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Some are some aren't........NFL isn't interested in changing the paradigm either.

You commit....you have eligibility. Don't want to finish with Bama? Go somewhere else...there are 120 Div 1 schools but you aren't going to our chief competitors....they can always declare for the draft if they are good enough....most aren't......

....and you are still being a bitch

I do have some mixed feelings on this issue -- because the best interests of student-athletes are very important. The question is whether or not it's actually in the best interest of not only the tranfering student, but also the other student-athletes who are affected by the transfer, such as teammates. There's also the interests of the institutions, and last but not least the principles of integrity and fairness to consider.

A school invests A LOT of resources, money and time in recruiting, educating, supporting and developing players. And it's based on a 4-year (minimum) athletic scholarship the institution must honor. Shouldn't student-athletes also be obligated to honor their end of the deal?

Even if he's not a starter, he may be important depth on the team. He also knows the playbook, schemes and strategies well. Is it fair to the school and his teammates for him to just walk out and go play for a competitor within your conference or on your schedule?

If 3-year grads who redshirted (and thus have 2 years remaining to play) get total freedom to transfer anywhere they want and play right away, LOTS more kids are going to start taking enough summer classes to graduate early and give themselves that option.

If that becomes the trend, teams (incl. UT & AU) could have MANY of their most experienced players (incl. starters), that they invested 3-4 years and LOTS of money in educating and developing, walk out EVERY YEAR to play for competitors in their conference and on their schedules. Hey AU and UT, be careful what you wish for.

Iirc, the NCAA "grad transfer freedom" rule only applies if the player's current school doesn't offer his desired grad degree program. Maybe that has changed recently and I'm just not aware of it. But I don't think so. I think that's the basis of UA's ability to place restrictions on a transfer release for a player that's earned an undergrad degree.

To win an appeal to obtain an NCAA exception override of the transfer restriction for a certain school (AU or UT), it should fall on the player to show that he is unable to obtain his desired graduate degree on an athletic scholarship at any and all comparable non-restricted schools.

It's going to be interesting to see if UA's transfer release restrictions hold up in this player's case. It may set a very important precedent.

Like 14&Counting said, there are plenty of schools besides the ones Bama doesn't want him to transfer to. I don't think it's unreasonable for UA (and every school) to protect itself from becoming a developer of players for competitors in its conference and scheduled opponents.

Report: Alabama blocking offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy from transferring to SEC schools (SEC Country)

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Earlier this week it was reported that Alabama offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy would be transferring from Alabama. However, according to Al.com’s Matt Zeintz, Kennedy might not be able to transfer to two of his top choices, which happen to be in the SEC.

Kennedy is interested in transferring to either Auburn or Tennessee. But Alabama is blocking Kennedy from transferring to SEC schools. Alabama is also reportedly blocking him from transferring to any future Alabama non-conference opponents.  This is standard practice, even in Kennedy’s case who is a graduate transfer.

This isn’t the first time in recent memory an Alabama player has wanted to transfer to an SEC school. Two seasons ago, Maurice Smithwanted to transfer from Alabama to Georgia, so he could play for Kirby Smart who was a former Alabama coach. It’s worth mentioning that Tennessee is now coached by former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.

In the last two seasons, two other SEC players have transferred between SEC schools, running back David Williams went from South Carolina to Arkansas and defensive back Nick Harveywent from Texas A&M to South Carolina.

Kennedy was the backup center for Alabama and is in the process of appealing this ruling. Smith was eventually allowed to transfer to Georgia, were he went on to be a key player for the Bulldogs. But Smith only had one season of eligibility, while Kennedy would have multiple seasons. And Smith did not face Alabama, while Auburn and Tennessee play every year.

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And if it does lead to more kids taking summer classes and graduating early...good. Most won't play in the NFL and will have a BS and MA the rest of their lives. 

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Transfer release restictions for competitors in your conference and scheduled opponents does not prevent or discourage student-athletes from obtaining MAs on athletic scholarships.

Unfortunately this seems to be a yearly occurrence. Assistants leave for promotions elsewhere in the conference, and guys lower on the depth chart want to follow with a grad transfer.

Ultimately I am happy the kid has his degree and it is his prerogative to take his talent to play eleshere. But a part of me is irritated to see it somewhere in the SEC. Especially a kid as talented as Kennedy. If injuries don't derail his career, he may be starting this fall for Alabama.

Alabama's hands may be tied in the end. Even with this initial block, public pressure may win out like it did with Mo Smith. And I still believe that fiasco cost Alabama an additional DB with Sheffield transferring out too (they were both from the Houston metro).

@Pvlle: Sorry man that was a little harsh....

I believe they have commitment they need to fulfill. If a kid is transferring because he can't crack the rotation at Bama, chances are his future isn't going to be the NFL. I get they want to see the field and I don't have any problem with them transferring because they want to play. They can transfer to 120 other schools. I think everyone knows the deal if you sign with Bama: the best will rise to the top and they will play. They can transfer in conference if the coach says OK. We let that kid go to UGA and it turned we desperately needed depth in the DB ranks that year. So Nick had his reasons for initially blocking the transfer

I don't have a problem with the coach if he says no for all the reasons TitleSurge laid out. It's not a question of being scared but we have invested a lot in him and for him to take it to a chief competitor just doesn't sit well. The kid I mentioned was set to go to Miami then changed to Baylor and then UGA when Kirby came on board and offered him.

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Then drop the "amateur athletics" bullshite and stop the charade of acting like they are regular students.

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Grad transfers are supposed to be about furthering their education, not about furthering their football careers. The other school has to show they have programs available for furthering their education etc.

There are plenty of schools they can transfer to as regular students and also play football. There are at the same times schools he is not allowed to play football at.

It's for competitive reasons, and if they can't handle it's the nature of college football, then they can just find other options. Like it or not, while education is a large part of everything, when it comes to football itself - the rules are there for competitive reasons.

It would be in the best interests of education to not limit scholarships at all for example. But for competitive reasons they limit scholarships. The notion that "what's best for the kids" trumps all else is total bullshite.

Free agency, which is what this amounts to, even as a reward for getting a degree, is bad for the sport.