UCLA football: Osweiler-to-UCLA rumor forgets the rules

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Speculation abounds around fan websites that Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler will transfer to UCLA as a graduate student to play one season for the Bruins.

There are significant hurdles to clear in that scenario. For starters, Osweiler has yet to announce he is leaving Arizona State. But such details matter little in cyberspace, so if Osweiler is indeed in play, he has to adhere to NCAA and Pac-12 conference rules.

Osweiler, a redshirt junior last season, is on track to graduate from Arizona State this year, fulfilling the first requirement. Under NCAA rules, he can transfer to another university and be immediately eligible if he is accepted into a graduate program.

But things are not that simple. Osweiler would have to be accepted into a program that is not offered at Arizona State. Osweiler is a political science major and Arizona State offers graduate programs in that area, and UCLA graduate programs do not consider athletic ability and the football team’s needs.

Transferring within the Pac-12 would also require UCLA to seek a waiver from the conference.

The Pac-12 has stringent penalties attached to intra-conference transfers. According to a conference official, a player typically has to sit one year, lose one year of eligibility and would be unable to be given a scholarship for one year.

For a waiver to be granted, UCLA would need support from seven faculty representatives at other conference schools.

The NCAA rule was enacted six years ago, but was thrust into the spotlight this past season when Russell Wilson used it to transfer from North Carolina State to Wisconsin, leading the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. The SEC has banned its use for intra-conference transfers.

Osweiler, according to speculation, wants to follow former Sun Devils’ offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone to UCLA. Mazzone will be the Bruins’ offensive coordinator under new coach Jim Mora.

Osweiler threw for 4,036 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2011.

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-- Chris Foster