The recent graduate requested for a release back in June but was denied, citing SEC rules of transferring to a fellow SEC school. Alabama played Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 2, 2014.
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But the saga doesn’t end there. “It’s not over yet”.
On Wednesday, there was finally a positive resolution that worked in the benefit of the student-athlete.
However, SEC rules prevent players who are released from transferring to other schools within the conference. Smith has very publicly stated that he wants to transfer to Georgia, but head coach Nick Saban had steadfastly refused to grant a release to another SEC program. “So that is past us now”.
An Alabama spokesman said he could not go beyond what Saban told the media. “This information is gathered for the objective of a thoughtful and appropriate consideration of the particular facts associated with each case”. “Each waiver request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis”.
“Graduate transfer rules were established with the intent to be grounded in the academic interests of the student-athlete”, said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
Smith played in eight games last season for the national champion Crimson Tide, collecting 15 tackles. A transfer may seek waivers of those bylaws. The transfer request is now up to the SEC, and they have the final say to allow it or not. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey ultimately makes the decision. If the waiver is granted, Smith is poised to join the team as soon as possible, and considering his background with head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinatoor/secondary coach Mel Tucker (they each coached him a year ago at Alabama) the adjustment period shouldn’t be long.
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“That’s the same system he’s been in for three years”, his father Maurice said last week.”It just makes sense for him to be there”.
