NCAA approves one-time waiver exception for all student-athletes, normal recruiting set to return on June 1

MSU+coach+Mel+Tucker+supervises+the+first+day+of+spring+practice%2F+Photo+Credit%3A+MSU+Athletic+Communications

MSU coach Mel Tucker supervises the first day of spring practice/ Photo Credit: MSU Athletic Communications

Nathan Stearns, Football Beat Reporter

After much discussion, the NCAA Division I council has approved a measure that will give all student-athletes, including those in men’s and women’s basketball, hockey and football, the ability to transfer from one university to another once in their career without having to sit out a season.

In order for the measure to become official, the NCAA Board of Directors must approve of the council’s recommendation. It is expected that this measure will be approved at the board’s next meeting on April 28.

This announcement has wide-ranging implications for MSU coaches, including Tom Izzo and Mel Tucker. For Izzo, Tyson Walker, a former Northeastern point guard, will be immediately eligible to play in 2020-21.

Tucker, who has nabbed 12 scholarship transfers in the portal, will be able to immediately play athletes such as former Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker, former Florida cornerback Chester Kimbrough, former Michigan linebacker Ben VanSumeren and former Arkansas State offensive tackle Jarrett Horst in addition to transfer corners Marqui Lowery Jr. and Khary Crump.

In addition, the NCAA also announced that the recruiting “dead period” will be lifted and that normal, in-person recruiting will begin on June 1. This will allow for coaches to conduct in-person meetings and recruiting visits with prospective student-athletes.