Former Alabama DB Maurice Smith Granted Conditional Transfer Waiver by SEC

Former Alabama defensive back Maurice Smith was granted permission to transfer within the conference by the SEC on Friday.  

As seen in this press release tweeted by Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee, the SEC provided Smith with a conditional waiver:

Alabama initially blocked Smith's efforts to transfer to Georgia, but he was granted permission Wednesday, according to Seth Emerson of DawgNation.com. The waiver now ensures Smith can play for the Bulldogs as soon as the upcoming season.

Per Chris Low and Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com, a waiver from the SEC was required to complete the transfer since there are restrictions placed on players transferring within the conference when they have less than two years of eligibility remaining.

Smith is set to enter his senior year of eligibility, and he has the option of using it in either 2016 or 2017.

He registered 15 tackles and one sack for the Crimson Tide as a reserve cornerback and special teams ace in 2015.

In transferring to Georgia, he will play for head coach Kirby Smart, who served as his defensive coordinator during his time at Alabama.

While Georgia and Alabama are not scheduled to meet during the 2016 regular season, Smith facing his old team could be a huge storyline should the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide clash in the SEC Championship Game.

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