Former Alabama quarterback and five-star recruit Blake Barnett transferred out of the program back in December and decided on Arizona State. Usually when you transfer out of a school and are not a graduate transfer you have to wait another year to play again. However, that was not the case for Barnett as he was granted a Legislative Release Waiver.
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In order to be granted this waiver, it has to be demonstrated beyond just football reasons why a transfer has taken place in a manner that would allow for the student-athlete to play earlier than one year removed from the initiation of the transfer. Barnett made this extenuating circumstances waiver request and it was granted by the the NCAA today, per a source close to the development.
Barnett started the first game of the season for the Crimson Tide in 2016, but transferred out of the program after four games when true freshman Jalen Hurts beat him out for Alabama's starting job. Per NCAA rules, Barnett was initially expected to sit out the first four games of the 2017 season before becoming eligible this season, but the Legislative Relief Waiver makes him eligible immediately.
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The 6'5", 211-pound Barnett completed 11-of-19 passes for Alabama over the course of three games in 2016, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions.
[h/t Scout]
