SEC alters graduate transfer penalty, clearing way for Zaire to join Gators

The SEC has altered its graduate transfer rule, clearing the way for Notre Dame graduate transfer quarterback Malik Zaire to join the Gators if he chooses.

On Friday, the league voted on the change in legislation. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin announced that the SEC has bumped down its graduate transfer probation from three years to one.

Originally, SEC bylaw 14.1.15.3 (b) stated: “The student-athlete must earn all possible APR points applicable for each term of enrollment. If the student-athlete does not earn all possible APR points, the certifying institution may not use the SEC Bylaw 14.1.15.1 graduate student exception in the particular sport for three years following the student athlete’s first date of initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution.”

Before the rule change, Florida could not take a graduate transfer until the 2018 season after grad transfers Anthony Harrell and Mason Halter failed to meet academic requirements in 2015.

Now, with the rule being altered, Zaire could join the Gators’ quarterback room and have roughly 10 weeks to get acquainted in the system prior to the start of the 2017 regular season. The summer B session of classes at UF begins June 26.

Stay tuned with Inside the Gators, as we’ll continue to update this breaking story.

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