NCAA approves 1-time transfer rule

The NCAA's Division I Council has approved legislation that will allow undergraduate athletes in all sports to transfer once without needing to sit out a year, the council announced Thursday.

"Allowing student-athletes a one-time opportunity to transfer and compete immediately provides a uniform, equitable, and understandable approach that benefits all student-athletes," said council vice-chair Jon Steinbrecher. "The decision is consistent with Division I's goal of modernizing its rules to prioritize student-athlete opportunity and choice."

The legislation will go into effect for the 2021-22 academic year if it is ratified by the Division I Board of Directors, which will meet April 28.

A deadline of May 1 for fall and winter athletes to notify their schools they'll be departing was also approved, while spring athletes will need to do so by July 1. However, the council granted a blanket waiver for this year that sets the deadline for all student-athletes as July 1.

Exceptions for the deadline would be allowed in cases of a head coaching change or canceled scholarship before July 1.

The NCAA also announced all sports will return to their regular recruiting calendars beginning June 1.