The NCAA is working to potentially rework its transfer rules in an effort to ‘create the best possible outcome’ for athletes, as well as create a more uniform transfer model across the various sports in college athletics. According to the Division I Council Transfer Working Group, which met in Indianapolis earlier this week, a number of changes could enhance the process for all involved.

The end of transfers sitting out a season, the end of restrictions placed on transfers and amendments to the graduate transfer rule were all among the topics discussed by the council.

“I am thrilled with the great progress made this week, and I’m confident we can move forward with some initial concepts for consideration in this year’s legislative cycle,” Working group chair Justin Sell said, according to the NCAA’s official website. “We are working toward academics-based, data-driven decisions that benefit student-athletes, teams and schools.”

Here’s a breakdown of the major issues the working group focused in on during their most recent meeting:

Seeking permission to transfer

The way NCAA transfer rules are currently set up, athletes are required to gain permission to start the transfer process with another school. This is something not commonly provided by schools/coaches within the same conference or against a school that is on a future schedule. For example, during his tenure as Georgia’s head coach, Mark Richt was known for giving his players the waiver necessary to transfer to any school — even SEC schools. On the other end of the spectrum, most coaches often deny such transfers within the same league.

Postgraduate eligibility

The working group likes the current graduate transfer rule, allowing players to transfer without sitting out a year, however, they would like the rule amended. They suggest graduate transfers counting against scholarship limits for two years, even if the athlete earns their graduate degree or only plays for the school for one year.

Stronger penalties for tampering with college athletes

Coaches are not currently permitted to contact student-athletes on college rosters for the purposes of recruiting them to transfer. The working group suggests harsher penalties for programs that break these rules.

Potentially doing away with forcing transfers to sit out a year

Uniformity in transfer rules across all sports has been recommended by the working group. The group suggested one of two models, either every transfer sits out for a year or no transfer sit out at all, making them eligible upon arrival — granted all academic requirements have been met.

These amendments could be voted on in April; however, the working group has asked for a Nov. 1 deadline to present its final proposal before a vote is held.