USC Football: JT Daniels transfer looks unlikely after setback for one-time transfer waiver

USC football may not lose JT Daniels after all as the NCAA board of governors recommended against a one-time transfer waiver.

JT Daniels is in the transfer portal, but signs are now pointing to the quarterback likely staying with USC football in 2020.

On Thursday, the NCAA Board of Governors recommended against the one-time transfer waiver which would allow players in college football to move schools once without having to sit out a season.

The one-time transfer waiver had been proposed by the Transfer Waiver Working Group earlier this year. The Board of Governors called the potential rule change “not appropriate at this time.”

CHECK OUT: It’s finally coming together for Isaiah Pola-Mao

It’s important to remember neither the Working Group nor the Board of Governors has voted definitively on the transfer waiver. That will fall to the Division I Council, which could choose to vote on the matter at its May meeting. An affirmative vote at that meeting would put the proposal into action, but they’d be going against the Board of Governor’s recommendation.

Why does this matter for USC and JT Daniels?

On Wednesday, head coach Clay Helton cited the transfer waiver vote as a factor that would impact Daniels’ transfer decision.

“I think that May 20 vote has a lot to do with what the next step would be not only for JT but for us also,” Helton told Adam Grosbard of the OC Register.

Daniels is in a unique position.

If transfer rules remain as is, requiring a player to sit out for one year, his best chance for playing time in 2020 would actually come at USC. In Fall Camp, he would have the opportunity to battle with Kedon Slovis for the starting job. Even if he went into the season as a backup, injuries or other circumstances could get him on the field.

Transfering now would give him the chance to embed himself with his new team, but the 2020 season would be a wash.

Waiting to transfer until 2021, after attaining his degree at USC, would allow him to leave as a graduate transfer, without having to sit out at all.

If transfer rules were to change, however, Daniels could leave USC now and play immediately at a new program in 2020. That’s a pretty big factor to consider.

For now, the head coach said Daniels remains part of team meetings and position meetings with USC, preparing for the 2020 season.

If he stays, USC will have three scholarship QBs for the campaign. If transfer rules change and he leaves, the Trojans will likely have to find another quarterback to fill out their depth at the position.