re: Brandon Kennedy transferring

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.