SEC votes to allow immediate eligibility for in-conference grad transfers

The SEC voted Friday to allow immediate eligibility for graduate transfers moving within the conference, according to Jake Rowe of 247 Sports.

The new rule comes at a time when graduated Alabama offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy is attempting to transfer to another SEC program - reportedly Tennessee or Auburn - and play right away.

Under previous SEC rules, players transferring within the conference needed to sit out a year unless they obtained a waiver from the school they were leaving. Alabama had been hesitant to grant players, including Kennedy, such waivers in recent years.

Now, Kennedy and others in his situation won't require a waiver to be immediately eligible if they've already graduated. Technically, the Crimson Tide could still block Kennedy from transferring to SEC schools as part of the conditions of his release.