How Players Can Transfer So Many Times... Explained

Jason Howeth · 2024-12-17T18:07:05Z

Below is an AI-generated fictitious example of an NCAA football player who transfers five times, along with an explanation for how each transfer is permitted under NCAA transfer portal rules:

---

### **Player Name**: *David "D.J." Harris*

**Position**: Wide Receiver

---

### **College Football Career Timeline**:

1. **Freshman Year (2020)** – **University of Michigan**
D.J. Harris begins his college career at the University of Michigan, where he shows promise as a freshman wide receiver. However, during the offseason, the coaching staff changes, and the new head coach shifts the offensive philosophy to a run-heavy system that limits passing opportunities. D.J., who thrives in a high-passing offense, decides to transfer to a school that fits his playing style better. He is allowed to transfer under the **one-time transfer rule**, meaning he doesn’t have to sit out a season, as this is his first transfer.

2. **Sophomore Year (2021)** – **University of Oregon**
D.J. transfers to Oregon, attracted by the program's uptempo offense and its history of developing top-tier wide receivers. He becomes a key contributor early in the season, but unfortunately, he suffers a serious knee injury midway through the year, which requires surgery. Due to the injury and his recovery, he does not play much in the second half of the season. After consulting with coaches and medical staff, D.J. feels his best chance to return to full form is at a school with a better medical facility and team. He applies for a **medical redshirt** for the 2021 season, allowing him to maintain his eligibility, and transfers again, taking advantage of the **medical hardship exception** to avoid sitting out for another year.

3. **Junior Year (2022)** – **University of Texas**
After recovering from his injury, D.J. transfers to Texas, where the offense has a quarterback known for spreading the ball around. D.J. has a strong season, catching several touchdowns, but the coaching staff undergoes another change after the season, and the new coaching staff runs a different offensive scheme that doesn’t prioritize passing as much. D.J. once again feels that his playing style does not align with the new system. Since he is still within his eligibility period, he decides to transfer once more. Under the **graduate transfer rule**, D.J. is eligible to transfer to another school without penalty, as he has completed his undergraduate degree in Communications at Texas.

4. **Senior Year (2023)** – **University of Georgia**
D.J. transfers to Georgia, excited about the opportunity to play for a championship-contending team with a more balanced offense. However, midseason, a new quarterback enters the starting role and establishes an incredible rapport with other wide receivers, leaving D.J. as the third or fourth option on the depth chart. After consulting with the coaching staff, D.J. realizes he won't have the same opportunities for the remainder of the season and decides to transfer again, this time to a school where he can immediately start. He applies for a **special waiver** based on "extraordinary circumstances" surrounding his lack of playing time after a coaching change and transfer. The NCAA grants the waiver, allowing him to transfer and immediately be eligible to play at his new school.

5. **Final Year (2024)** – **University of Miami**
D.J. transfers for a fifth and final time to the University of Miami, where the coaching staff promises him the number one wide receiver role. With a deep and talented roster, he finally fulfills his potential, earning All-Conference honors and leading the team in receiving yards. His eligibility is intact because he used the **graduate transfer rule** after earning his degree at Texas and was granted a waiver for his subsequent transfers.

---

### **Transfer Summary**:

- **Michigan → Oregon (Medical Redshirt) → Texas (Graduate Transfer) → Georgia (Special Waiver) → Miami (Graduate Transfer)**
- **Total Transfers**: 5

---

### **How D.J. Was Allowed to Transfer 5 Times:**

1. **One-Time Transfer Rule (2020)**: D.J.'s first transfer from Michigan to Oregon was allowed because he was transferring once and eligible for immediate play. This rule allows players to transfer once without sitting out a year.

2. **Medical Redshirt (2021)**: After his knee injury, D.J. was granted a **medical redshirt**, which extended his eligibility. This allowed him to transfer again without losing a season, as the transfer occurred after his injury.

3. **Graduate Transfer (2022)**: D.J. completed his undergraduate degree in Communications at Texas and transferred to Georgia as a graduate transfer. Graduate transfers are permitted to play immediately, regardless of how many times they have transferred previously.

4. **Special Waiver (2023)**: When D.J. found himself without a clear path to playing time at Georgia, he was granted a **special waiver** for his subsequent transfer to Miami. This waiver is often approved in cases of "extraordinary circumstances," such as limited playing time due to coaching changes or other factors beyond the player's control. The NCAA allowed D.J. to transfer without sitting out a season.

5. **Graduate Transfer (2024)**: D.J. transfers again to Miami under the **graduate transfer rule**, as he completed his degree and was eligible to transfer one last time without sitting out.

---

This fictitious example shows how a player could, under current NCAA rules, transfer multiple times (in this case, five) while maintaining eligibility by using a combination of the one-time transfer rule, medical redshirts, graduate transfers, and waivers.