Report: Georgia is now putting restrictions on transfers
Former Georgia RB A.J. Turman may have been given his release from the Bulldogs football program, but according to a report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it was not without restriction.
New Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart will not allow Turman to transfer to Miami, where former Georgia coach Mark Richt is now the head man, or the University of Florida, which competes in the SEC East alongside the Bulldogs.
It is a departure from the policy held by Richt, who allowed a full release to players that wanted to transfer out of the program.
According to Seth Emerson’s report, Turman informed Smart months ago that he would like a release, and it was granted with conditions attached.
“I guess that’s just how he does that, and I understand that,” Turman said of Smart. “He has to put his foot down coming to a new school because he doesn’t want everyone trying to get a release. So we’re just not used to it like the kids that didn’t get recruited by him. Because we always were told if we don’t feel at home at the University of Georgia we could leave. And I thought it was still like that. Then Coach Kirby …. I understand, and I’m glad that I guess I got my release.”
Turman is a former four-star recruit from Orlando, Fla. that never could get traction at the loaded running back position with the Bulldogs.
A Twitter user responded to Emerson’s report with a recent quote from Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity that does not align with Smart’s new policy:
https://twitter.com/NewtClark/status/710587541624328192
Some may point to Richt’s old policy as the reason for Nick Marshall (Auburn) and Zach Mettenberger (LSU) being able to start at quarterback for conference rivals with their remaining eligibility, but both of those moves were actually made after a year at junior college, which is a route that Turman could still conceivably take if he wants to play at a school that Smart has restricted.