The Southeastern Conference’s 2017 spring meetings have come to a close. Following the conclusion of the league’s meetings, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey met with the media to announce one major rule that will go into effect immediately and could affect the league standings next season.

The most noteworthy change includes the reduction of the graduate transfer penalty. This rule will allow Notre Dame graduate transfer quarterback Malik Zaire to transfer to Florida if he does indeed pick the Gators over Texas.

Stated simply, the SEC’s graduate transfer penalty rule has been decreased from three years to one year. Previously, if a school took in a graduate transfer that did not meet academic requirements, that school was prohibited from doing so for three seasons.

Sankey stated the rule applies currently, there will be no retroactive penalty for the Gators after two former graduate transfers did not meet academic requirements.

“We still have oversight,” Sankey said in regards to changing that rule from three years probation to one-year probation. The SEC commissioner also noted the SEC’s misconduct transfer rules are still in place.

Sankey indicated the early feedback on allowing redshirt players to participate in four games has been positive, although that is not a rule that has been passed at this time.

The league has tabled discussion on intra-conference graduate transfers inside the SEC. The league also tabled discussion regarding alcohol sales inside its football stadiums and basketball arenas.

“It will still be a conversation topic going forward,” Sankey said in regards intra-conference graduate transfers. “We have not changed our policy.”