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I have notified the coaching staff in case they are not aware that Cole Barthel, back up QB at Arkansas has decided to transfer. He is one of those "played baseball for 4 years" guys who is not on scholarship thus would be immediately available. He was North Alabama player of the year and signed with Arkansasa originally in the same class as Matt Jones (2001). He has played sparingly so has 3 years of eligibility remaining. Sees no future behind Casey [deleted] and Mitch Mustain. 6' 2" 205. Senior year in High School passed for 2,074 yds, 21 TDs and ran for over 700 yds. Currently looking at Arkansas Tech. Wants to stay in Arkansas but will consider anywhere. I think this could be a good match for us.

He could be an option, but would have to sit out a year. he wasn't on scholarship, so don't know why we should offer him one. And we all know its $$$ to walk on here.

Another to keep an eye on could be Robert Johnson. He was pretty bad starting the first 7 games for UA, but he was a 4-star coming out of high school in Waco. Only thing is that he's a RS Soph, so I guess would only have one year if he redshirted.

Looks like Arkansas may have 1,2, or 3 young QB's leaving this off season.

Danny Noonan wrote:He could be an option, but would have to sit out a year. he wasn't on scholarship, so don't know why we should offer him one. And we all know its $$$ to walk on here.

Another to keep an eye on could be Robert Johnson. He was pretty bad starting the first 7 games for UA, but he was a 4-star coming out of high school in Waco. Only thing is that he's a RS Soph, so I guess would only have one year if he redshirted.

Looks like Arkansas may have 1,2, or 3 young QB's leaving this off season.

He would not have to sit out because he was not on scholarship. That is the advantage. 3 years of immediate eligibility for a kid that many here in Arkansas thought should have been the starter all along at Arkansas. The reason to offer a scholarship would be to get a quality QB that could help us immediately. He should certainly rank higher than many JUCO QBs.

once they are enrolled and attend opening day of classes, they are considered a transfer athlete if they want to leave....does not matter if they are on scholarship or not........

Didn't know that was the rule. If so, I think its certainly worth a shot. Would you offer him a 'ship? I doubt he'd pay his own way.

I would want someone who could come in and help out right now......


How is spalding doing?

ponyplayer wrote:once they are enrolled and attend opening day of classes, they are considered a transfer athlete if they want to leave....does not matter if they are on scholarship or not........

Is that still true if he completes this semester and then transfers? That is his intention. I am surprised by that. Would have thought a walkon could transfer freely. That changes my urgency for this guy a bit but still would not mind having him in the loop for the future. If your are correct, and I have no reason to doubt you, thank you for correcting me.

yes, even if he walked out of class that first day he would have to sit out a year, but that is only in football and basketball from my understanding, there are exceptions or waivers but not really sure what those are......

ponyplayer wrote:yes, even if he walked out of class that first day he would have to sit out a year, but that is only in football and basketball from my understanding, there are exceptions or waivers but not really sure what those are......

ponyplayer, please do not take this personally because I am just looking for solid verification. I know that when a coaches son comes to play at the school where he is coaching, he typically comes in as a walkon since professors and coaches get their kids in for free. Then the coach gets fired or transfers and the kid follows him and I would believe could play immediately. Didn't Sonny Allen and kid do that? If someone has access to the rule I would appreciate it. I am too old and lazy for the research. XTC?

I have gotten some answers. Ponyplayer is correct in that Barthel would have to sit a year. I stand totally corrected and should never have doubted him. Here is the confusing part. As an alumnus I am not allowed to contact Barthel in any way to get his interest, and no one in the athletic department can contact him without Barthel requesting that Arkansas send a release to SMU. So he could never know that SMU might be interested. He has to pick us, we can not pick him. With the sitting out requirement, however, he will probably go Div 1AA so he can play immediately. Can not blame him for that. Back to the JUCO drawing board and hope for a fast learning curve for Willis, Phillips, et al.

mrydel wrote:I have gotten some answers. Ponyplayer is correct in that Barthel would have to sit a year. I stand totally corrected and should never have doubted him. Here is the confusing part. As an alumnus I am not allowed to contact Barthel in any way to get his interest, and no one in the athletic department can contact him without Barthel requesting that Arkansas send a release to SMU. So he could never know that SMU might be interested. He has to pick us, we can not pick him. With the sitting out requirement, however, he will probably go Div 1AA so he can play immediately. Can not blame him for that. Back to the JUCO drawing board and hope for a fast learning curve for Willis, Phillips, et al.

A walk-on does not need a release since their is not a LOI involved, but must follow NCAA transfer rules.

no problem, there are eight conditions that effect transfer status, the first one is that a student that is officially registered and enrolled in a minimum, full time program of studies as certified by the registar and was present at the institituion on opening day of classes has triggered the transfer status. (I know someone else posted in another thread how dumb it was that a walk-on would have to sit out a year). I do know that they can ask for a release or exception and it can be granted but most programs will not do this, thus they have to sit out a year. Now the student-athlete can ask for a hearing by a committee to get a release so that may have happend in that case. And there are other exceptions but not sure what they are. I am sure someone elase will have more information.

yes, sorry, in regards to a walk-on they have to follow the transfer rules, we must be one of five schools on the transfer request before he can be contacted by SMU,

ponyplayer wrote:no problem, there are eight conditions that effect transfer status, the first one is that a student that is officially registered and enrolled in a minimum, full time program of studies as certified by the registar and was present at the institituion on opening day of classes has triggered the transfer status. (I know someone else posted in another thread how dumb it was that a walk-on would have to sit out a year). I do know that they can ask for a release or exception and it can be granted but most programs will not do this, thus they have to sit out a year. Now the student-athlete can ask for a hearing by a committee to get a release so that may have happend in that case. And there are other exceptions but not sure what they are. I am sure someone elase will have more information.

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PonyPlayer, I was the one that brought this up.

It is 1 of the most ridiculous rules in the ncaa-- a stanglehold by coaches on the most true amateur in the business.

The overlooked 17-18 yr old gves it the college try, walks onto campus, gets the [deleted] beat of 'em in practice on scout teams while paying his own way.

Coaches, on the other hand, can win OR lose then jump to a new school with out missing a beat.

Kid comes in: "Says coach, with all these new guys, I think I have a better chance at BCS Wannabee I&Q". Coach says, "sure son, but if you leave you'll have to sit out a season. By the way, I've a got a jet waiting on me-- I'm going to BCS Tech for for $5 MIL & I'll be coaching in the morning! No sit out for me."

ponyplayer wrote:yes, sorry, in regards to a walk-on they have to follow the transfer rules, we must be one of five schools on the transfer request before he can be contacted by SMU,

Someone knows his stuff!