Maurice Smith, a reserve senior defensive back for Alabama, wants to transfer to Georgia this year.

However, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban originally blocked the transfer. Like most everybody else in the business, he doesn’t want his players to depart and end up playing for a conference rival.

News broke Wednesday that ‘Bama eventually did grant a full release to Smith, although that doesn’t mean he can start looking for an apartment in Athens just yet. The SEC still has to grant Smith an intra-conference transfer. If the league says no, which is possible, Saban’s no longer the villain.

I don’t say this often, but I’m actually on Saban’s side here. He’s not the only coach in the land that refuses to allow intra-conference transfers. It’s standard operating procedure for most teams.

Be sure to watch the video above for my comment on Smith and his desire to suit up for Kirby Smart.

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.