With the roll out of the NCAA transfer portal, many believed it was the beginning of free agency for college athletes.
On one hand, there are really no restrictions on how non-athlete college students transfer, so why should the athletes be punished?
On the other hand, actual free agency would create mass chaos in college athletics.
The transfer portal was never anything close to free agency. But in attempt to get rid of that perception, the NCAA has tightened the reins on college athletes that request waivers to gain immediate eligibility after transferring.
Currently, these waivers are considered by a committee on a case-by-case basis.