Does SEC Spring Transfer Rule Limit Everybody but Texas, Oklahoma?

Newcomers could be robbing Razorbacks or any other SEC before coming in next summer

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Apr 21, 2023 11:04 AM EDT
Original:
Apr 20, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — SEC coaches pushed for league ban on spring transfers, but there could be an interesting situation next year.

Newcomers Texas and Oklahoma have the chance to take players who want to play in the SEC in 2024 at a different school, but can't because of rules saying spring transfers can only go to schools outside the SEC. See, while the Longhorns and Sooners will play an SEC schedule in fall of 2024, when that spring transfer window opens, they will still be Big 12 schools, which means there is nothing to keep them from loading up.

That includes being able to steal whomever Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his revamped staff develops, giving them a potentially lucrative opportunity to stay in the league without the other 13 SEC options able to even send a text.

The Razorbacks lost Jalen Catalon to the Longhorns and Mike Woods to the Sooners in recent years, so history says both schools have an eye on the roster in Fayetteville.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has no legal say about what Texas and Oklahoma do until the move to the league is official July 1, 2024. If Texas wants to steal from Texas A&M just to get under their skin or Oklahoma wants to syphon off talent from Alabama to send a message, the commissioner's hands are tied.

Considering it's an actual issue yet, there's nothing to plan and if there's something in the agreement to keep it from happening, well, chalk that up to a lack of transparency in the whole deal. Technically, that's fine. There's absolutely no regulation that says the SEC has to be completely open with stuff, but it could make some rivalries more intense with these new additions.

Cherry-picking quality players from other teams in the spring could benefit both. Two schools that are used to taking advantage of the rules and sometimes making their own rules when it doesn't play to their advantage will have the sense to do what's made them great one last time before they move way down the totem pole in the SEC.

It should be pointed out that this can go both ways. While Arkansas can technically pick off a few players from Texas and Oklahoma, there's probably not enough money in the NIL coffers to be in the running. The Hogs might be able to afford a Sooner or two, but it will be up to the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M to match the money in Austin.

One way or another, this time next year will definitely be interesting in an old Southwest Conference recruiting trail sort of way.

(Kent Smith contributed to this story.)