SEC Passes New Graduate Transfer Rules

The Southeastern Conference reportedly passed new rules Friday geared toward making graduate transfers less restrictive and creating a more level playing field for SEC schools with their counterparts in the other Power 5 conferences.

Alex Byington of the Decatur Daily reported the SEC lessened penalties related to the Academic Progress Rate from three years to one year. Matt Baker‏ of the Tampa Bay Times noted the change would allow Florida to bring in former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire.

Gators head coach Jim McElwain previously expressed his support for the rule change due to the competitive disadvantage it created with other high-profile programs, per Landon Watnick of Rivals.

"I'll probably say like I do with all the rules—if we have rules in the Southeastern Conference that are different than the other conferences that we're playing against or we're competing against, you know, I don't know what we're trying to prove there, I guess maybe," he said. "But at the same time, we've got a ton of guys calling us every year that are graduates."

McElwain added: "They may say, 'Look, I don't want him to go there, so I'm going to vote against it.' We've got issues if that's it, right?"

Word of the reduced APR penalties comes one day after Zaire confirmed he was close to making a decision about where he's going to play, per Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.com.

"As soon as possible," he said. "I want to get in before fall camp and before school starts so I can be around the guys and get rolling on those relationships."

The report listed Wisconsin, North Carolina and Texas among the other potential landing spots if he opts against joining the Gators despite the rule change.

Zaire spent most of his time with the Fighting Irish in a reserve role. He completed 59.2 percent of his throws for 816 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions across 15 appearances, including just three starts. He added 324 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.