Former SEC transfers Luke Ford, Jake Bentley react after their new conferences cancel fall sports
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Transfers are increasingly common in the college football world. In fact, the NCAA might soon approve a one-time, no-penalty transfer rule.
That isn’t the case now, though, and it has had its impact on many players, including Auburn-to-Kentucky QB Joey Gatewood, who is still waiting for the NCAA to rule on his eligibility.
Former South Carolina QB Jake Bentley transferred to Utah this offseason, but now that the Pac-12 and Big Ten have canceled their seasons, he will have to explore other options if he wants to play this fall:
Life- 10 % what happens to you. 90% how you respond to it. Not the decision we wanted, but NO reason to be defeated. Find positive in every situation. I’ll still be working to get better everyday. https://t.co/qh7KxIdXNF
— Jake Bentley (@Jake_Bentley_) August 11, 2020
Former Georgia TE Luke Ford has had an even longer journey since leaving the SEC. Ford transferred to Illinois to be closer to his grandparents, but was forced to sit out a year by the NCAA. Ford’s grandfather passed away in February of this year before Luke ever played a game for the Illini.
Now, it looks like it’ll take until at least this spring before Ford can suit up for Illinois. Here’s the tweet he sent after the news broke:
I’m hurting rn… but I know God has a plan??
— Luke Ford (@lukeford82) August 11, 2020
It’s a tough situation for these players. The conferences did what they think is right, but if other conferences decide to play this fall, it’ll be interesting to see if there is a max exodus from the Big Ten and Pac-12.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
