Notre Dame Football: Dayne Crist Will Benefit from NCAA Loophole and Transfer

Dayne Crist is leaving the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next season and will be looking to catch on with another program immediately.

There is an NCAA rule, or loophole, that allows for student-athletes to play right away for their new school as long as they have eligibility and enroll in a graduate program that their former university did not offer.

Russell Wilson has brought new light to this type of transfer after leaving North Carolina State at the end of last season and starring for the Wisconsin Badgers this year. He has led his new team to the Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl appearance this season.

Crist is hoping to find similar success; after his tenure, the Fighting Irish has been marred by injury and inconsistency.

The senior QB appeared in just four games in 2009 before going down with a torn ACL, ruptured his patella tendon and had a bad infection in 2010. Then once again, he won the job this season, but only lasted the first half of their first game against South Florida before hitting the bench.

He has another year of eligibility but he is being wise not to waste it with a squad that doesn’t appreciate or need him anymore.

The QB was the No. 2 recruit in the nation when he joined the Irish and has some talent to showcase if he is given the chance. Notre Dame was unwilling to give him that opportunity so he needs to find a school that will.

The 6’4”, 235-pound kid doesn’t even need to go to another storied program to have an impact.

He needs to go to a school that needs a QB and will allow him to become the starter immediately, since he only has one year left of eligibility. That might mean going to a smaller school without a winning pedigree. 

But it gives him a chance to show off his arm and skills at the position.

It will also get him a fair chance to be evaluated by pro scouts and possibly get a chance to take his game to the NFL.

Crist hasn’t shown much during his time at Notre Dame, but luckily he won’t have to wait long to get another shot at making an impression.