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Question about "graduate transfers" in college football

Leg of Theismann : 1/14/2020 3:12 am
I just heard Coach O. say that Burrow graduated from Ohio St. in 3 years. I know Jalen Hurts was also a graduate transfer. That means that 1/2 the CFP starting QBs this year were graduate transfers.

I hadn't realized until just now that as a graduate transfer you are immediately eligible to play, whereas undergraduate transfers need to sit out a full year before playing (I believe).

My question is: what are the requirements for these guys academic-wise as graduate transfers? Do they still have to enroll for a certain number of credits, and do those classes have to be graduate school classes or are they undergraduate classes? OR-- do they literally just not have to enroll/pass any classes while at their new school? If the latter, that would just seem funny to me that these guys are basically college football mercenaries who come to a school without even having to go to class, they are at college literally just to win football games. Is that the case or no?
that's pretty much  
BigBlueCane : 1/14/2020 4:36 am : link
the case.

CFB's version of Free Agency.
There is now the portal  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 1/14/2020 6:00 am : link
You no longer need to be a grad transfer to transfer and play. They did that in hopes to prevent them from unionizing.
Yes you still have to sit a year  
KevinBBWC : 1/14/2020 6:52 am : link
unless you get a waiver.
Well grad transfers can immediately play  
bhill410 : 1/14/2020 6:55 am : link
Provided they are enrolled in a full graduate course cirriculum. Russel Wilson was first qb of note to do this but grad transfers have been a thing for a very long time. Programs don’t always invite redshirted freshman back who have graduated so they were forced to find a team historically if they wanted to play out their last year of eligibility. Now it’s more so used when they are blocked, especially high ranked recruits like hurts.

With the transfer portal in invention of waivers many players are being cleared to play immediately. The waiver system honestly makes very little sense as to what’s approved or not approved and really needs to be cleaned up.
RE: Well grad transfers can immediately play  
Mike in NY : 1/14/2020 7:03 am : link
In comment 14778180 bhill410 said:
Quote:
Provided they are enrolled in a full graduate course cirriculum. Russel Wilson was first qb of note to do this but grad transfers have been a thing for a very long time. Programs don’t always invite redshirted freshman back who have graduated so they were forced to find a team historically if they wanted to play out their last year of eligibility. Now it’s more so used when they are blocked, especially high ranked recruits like hurts.

With the transfer portal in invention of waivers many players are being cleared to play immediately. The waiver system honestly makes very little sense as to what’s approved or not approved and really needs to be cleaned up.


Waiver system makes complete sense. If you are a big name and you want to start for a favored program your waiver will be granted. If not, it will be denied.
Graduate transfers have to be enrolled  
Section331 : 1/14/2020 8:24 am : link
and taking class credits toward a secondary degree. The way they qualify to be a grad transfer is to take a course load not offered at their undergrad university.
There was an article on Joe Burrow at LSU a few weeks ago ...  
Spider56 : 1/14/2020 9:45 am : link
He never set foot on campus this fall except to play football ... his course load was all independent study and video classes .... you can draw your own conclusions on this, but most guys who follow this route are very smart and get a graduate degree too ... they just want a chance to play football.
RE: There was an article on Joe Burrow at LSU a few weeks ago ...  
markky : 1/14/2020 12:31 pm : link
In comment 14778427 Spider56 said:
Quote:
He never set foot on campus this fall except to play football ... his course load was all independent study and video classes .... you can draw your own conclusions on this, but most guys who follow this route are very smart and get a graduate degree too ... they just want a chance to play football.


Burrow was basically a professional football player this year. Not really taking classes. Older than Daniel Jones. It's like taking one of the top QB prospects from the last few years and plopping them back on one of the best or the best NCAA teams.
RE: There was an article on Joe Burrow at LSU a few weeks ago ...  
jestersdead : 1/14/2020 1:36 pm : link
In comment 14778427 Spider56 said:
Quote:
He never set foot on campus this fall except to play football ... his course load was all independent study and video classes .... you can draw your own conclusions on this, but most guys who follow this route are very smart and get a graduate degree too ... they just want a chance to play football.

That doesn't bother me as much as Matt Leinert taking 1 dance class in the fall of his senior year to finish his degree.
RE: There was an article on Joe Burrow at LSU a few weeks ago ...  
mdc1 : 1/14/2020 6:48 pm : link
In comment 14778427 Spider56 said:
Quote:
He never set foot on campus this fall except to play football ... his course load was all independent study and video classes .... you can draw your own conclusions on this, but most guys who follow this route are very smart and get a graduate degree too ... they just want a chance to play football.


What a surprise, and I thought LSU was one of the models of a fine education. lol. One of their marketing brochures they send to potential undergrads is a big picture of death valley in team colors with Tiger slogans. NFL should start a minor league and get some of these clowns out of the system and get back to academics. Wonder if some of these players would turn on the NFL to have those memories ?
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