Minnesota's De'Niro Laster seeks transfer to Kentucky, citing family reasons
Former Minnesota linebacker De'Niro Laster will attempt to transfer to Kentucky next season, he confirmed this weekend via a Twitter post of him sporting a Wildcats uniform.
Committed #BBN pic.twitter.com/xm9A8RxHbs
— #1⃣ (@Mucho_Deniro) July 17, 2015
Kentucky has yet to acknowledge Laster's membership on the team.
The 6-foot-4, 226-pounder played nine games as a redshirt freshman for the Gophers last season, racking up seven tackles.
Laster credited the move to Lexington as a desire to be closer to family and the opportunity to suit up alongside Dorian Baker, according to Kyle Tucker of The Courier-Journal.
"Closer to home, great coaches leading this program in the right direction, and I want to pay and be the best linebacker in the SEC. And I get to play with my lil bro, Dorian Baker," he said of the decision.
Laster also said he might not sit out the 2015-16 season, which most transfers are required to do under NCAA rules.
"Maybe not is what I've been hearing lately," he said.
The NCAA eliminated earlier this year its hardship waiver system, allowing transfers relocating for family reasons to gain immediate eligibility earlier.
Transfers in these sorts of cases are now allowed to ask for an additional year of eligibility at the end of their college careers.