SEC changes grad transfer rule, opens door for Zaire to join Florida
Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire has a clear path to join Florida if he so chooses now that the SEC has changed a rule about grad transfers.
Schools that bring in players who fail to meet academic requirements couldn't add grad transfers for three years under the old rule. That penalty's been reduced to one year, Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin announced Friday, according to Ben Baby of SportsDayDFW.
Florida added two players in 2015 that failed to meet the guidelines. Had the rule not been changed, the Gators wouldn't have been able to add another grad transfer until 2018.
The amendment means Zaire would be free to take the field in Gainesville this season for his final year of eligibility.
Zaire, however, still hasn't confirmed that's his destination. A report surfaced last weekend saying the signal-caller would join the Gators if the rule was changed, but Zaire spoke Thursday and gave no indication he had made up his mind.
He is also considering Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Texas.