Immediately eligible: NCAA on verge of transfer rule change
Whether it is the start of free agency in college sports or simply the fair thing to finally do for the athletes, the NCAA is about to make a monumental change to its transfer rules.
The Division I Council meets Wednesday and Thursday, and the agenda includes voting on a proposal that would grant all college athletes the ability to transfer one time as undergraduates without having to then sit out a season of competition.
All indications are the proposal will pass. When it does, athletes in football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and men's ice hockey will for the first time be immediately eligible to play after switching schools without asking for special permission.
For decades, the penalty of giving up a year of eligibility helped deter athletes from transferring, at least in those highprofile sports. In all other NCAA sports, athletes were allowed to switch schools once before graduating and play immediately.
The exception will soon be available to everyone – which is likely to mean more transfers than ever.
Tennessee State hires 1st-time coach George hoping for revival
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State is banking on Eddie George's name, connections and football knowledge as a former NFL running back to return the proud program with 13 Black national championships to national prominence.
TSU, a historically Black college or university, introduced George at a news conference Tuesday inside the Gentry Center with the Aristocrat of Bands on hand. Athletic director Mikki Allen said his priority when hired a year ago was to renew the standard of excellence. He believes he found his man in George, a proven winner on and off the field.
“He's dynamic. He's charismatic. He's energetic and magnetic and has all the tools necessary to build a championship level program here at the Tennessee State University,” Allen said.
Tennessee State is taking a risk. George, a four-time Pro Bowl running back with the Tennessee Titans and the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner with Ohio State, has not coached before. He played nine seasons in the NFL and ran for 10,441 yards.
George said this is a new chapter for him. “The No. 1 goal is to win and bring prominence back to this university where it belongs,” he said.
George said he truly understands the history of Tennessee State football. The campus hosted the then-tennessee Oilers' first training camps in 1997 and 1998 after the franchise relocated from Houston.
Cardinals sign ex-steelers RB Conner to one-year deal
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals have signed running back James Conner to a one-year contract.
The Cardinals made the move after starting running back Kenyan Drake announced he was signing with the Las Vegas Raiders a few weeks ago. Conner is expected to join Chase Edmonds as the Cardinals' main options in the backfield next season.
The 25-year-old Conner played his first four seasons in Pittsburgh and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018. He ran for a career-high 973 yards and 12 touchdowns that year.
He played in 13 games in 2020 and started 11, finishing with 721 yards and six touchdowns. He's also been active in the passing game throughout his career, catching 124 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns.
The Cardinals continued their aggressive overhaul in an effort to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They've signed several veterans, including three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, cornerback Malcolm Butler and receiver A.J. Green.
From wire reports