If the timing of Alabama redshirt freshman Blake Barnett’s decision to transfer seems strange, that’s because Barnett is likely trying to exploit a little-known NCAA rule.

According to 247Sports.com, there’s a way Barnett could suit up for another Division I team this time next year — something known as the 4-2-4 rule.

Barnett is currently attending a four-year university. By transferring immediately to a two-year junior college and amassing a GPA of at least 2.5 over 12 credit hours per semester, he could be eligible to play for another four-year school in 2017 without the normal one-year waiting period.

The report, which is worth a detailed read and is available here, says it’s still uncertain if Barnett would be eligible to start the 2017 season, but if he fulfills the requirements of bylaw 14.5.6, we could see Barnett in a new Division I uniform next year.