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Alabama coach Nick Saban wasnāt in favor of allowing graduate transfers to move from one SEC school to another without losing a year of eligibility. But he said his program probably would benefit from the rule.
I canāt imagine why.
If youāre smart enough to be a graduate transfer, you should be smart enough to transfer somewhere other than Alabama
Sure, if you just want to play on a national championship team, thereās no better place. But if you want to play a lot, Alabama is the last place you need to go.
I can understand why graduate transfers could find it attractive. The Tide routinely loses so many players to the NFL that players on the outside might be dazzled
by the opportunity of playing for a powerhouse program.
But if theyāre smart enough to qualify as a graduate transfer, they should be smart enough to look closer at Alabamaās depth chart. Never mind how many starters it loses. Its replacements might be even better.
My advice: If you want to play in the SEC, forget Alabama. In fact, forget the entire SEC West.
Instead, look eastward. The SEC East has been lagging behind the West so long, you could forget theyāre in the same conference.
Graduate transfers are starting to figure that out. Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida are capitalizing.
The Vols needed depth at running back and help at quarterback. So, they have added Michigan State running back Madre London and Stanford quarterback Keller Chryst, both former starters.
The Gators also have attempted to address a weakness through transfers.
Florida seemingly has been short of top-flight wide receivers since coach Urban Meyer left after the 2010 season. But new coach Dan Mullen, who runs a receiver-friendly offense, has added two receivers through transfers.
Ole Miss transfer Van Jefferson will be eligible this season. And Ohio State transfer Trevon Grimes, who is seeking a hardship waiver, also could be eligible this fall.
South Carolinaās defense could benefit from graduate transfers.
The Gamecocks lost three players who started more than one season in the secondary. But thanks to graduate transfers, they no longer look nearly as vulnerable in that area.
Coach Will Muschamp has added two graduate transfers ā Texas A&M cornerback Nick Harvey, who was injured last season but has 13 career starts; Rice safety J. T. Ibe, who has 27 career starts.
Missouri might have improved its depth chart through graduate transfers via Oregon. Both safety Khalil Oliver and wide receiver Alex Ofodile joined the Tigers in the off-season.
Oliver could be a more significant addition. Missouri lost three-year starting safety Anthony Sherrils, and safety Kaleb Prewettās status is uncertain after he was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team policy in January.
The Tigers have several proven receivers, but Ofodile could provide depth. Injuries slowed his progress at Oregon, where he caught only four passes the past two seasons after being redshirted as a freshman.
Those examples should send a message to graduate transfers.
If you want to be on a championship team, go to Alabama.
If you want to be on the field, go to the SEC East.
SEC East, not Alabama, best place for graduate transfers
I canāt imagine why.
If youāre smart enough to be a graduate transfer, you should be smart enough to transfer somewhere other than Alabama
Sure, if you just want to play on a national championship team, thereās no better place. But if you want to play a lot, Alabama is the last place you need to go.
I can understand why graduate transfers could find it attractive. The Tide routinely loses so many players to the NFL that players on the outside might be dazzled
by the opportunity of playing for a powerhouse program.
But if theyāre smart enough to qualify as a graduate transfer, they should be smart enough to look closer at Alabamaās depth chart. Never mind how many starters it loses. Its replacements might be even better.
My advice: If you want to play in the SEC, forget Alabama. In fact, forget the entire SEC West.
Instead, look eastward. The SEC East has been lagging behind the West so long, you could forget theyāre in the same conference.
Graduate transfers are starting to figure that out. Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida are capitalizing.
The Vols needed depth at running back and help at quarterback. So, they have added Michigan State running back Madre London and Stanford quarterback Keller Chryst, both former starters.
The Gators also have attempted to address a weakness through transfers.
Florida seemingly has been short of top-flight wide receivers since coach Urban Meyer left after the 2010 season. But new coach Dan Mullen, who runs a receiver-friendly offense, has added two receivers through transfers.
Ole Miss transfer Van Jefferson will be eligible this season. And Ohio State transfer Trevon Grimes, who is seeking a hardship waiver, also could be eligible this fall.
South Carolinaās defense could benefit from graduate transfers.
The Gamecocks lost three players who started more than one season in the secondary. But thanks to graduate transfers, they no longer look nearly as vulnerable in that area.
Coach Will Muschamp has added two graduate transfers ā Texas A&M cornerback Nick Harvey, who was injured last season but has 13 career starts; Rice safety J. T. Ibe, who has 27 career starts.
Missouri might have improved its depth chart through graduate transfers via Oregon. Both safety Khalil Oliver and wide receiver Alex Ofodile joined the Tigers in the off-season.
Oliver could be a more significant addition. Missouri lost three-year starting safety Anthony Sherrils, and safety Kaleb Prewettās status is uncertain after he was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team policy in January.
The Tigers have several proven receivers, but Ofodile could provide depth. Injuries slowed his progress at Oregon, where he caught only four passes the past two seasons after being redshirted as a freshman.
Those examples should send a message to graduate transfers.
If you want to be on a championship team, go to Alabama.
If you want to be on the field, go to the SEC East.
SEC East, not Alabama, best place for graduate transfers
