(Vanderbilt U.)
The
Vanderbilt Commodores, long a doormat in the vaunted Southeastern Conference, announced that Richard Kovalcheck has transfered from the University of Arizona. Kovalcheck started 11 games in 2004 and 2005 for the Wildcats before being benched in a game last fall in Utah.
He becomes the first player to take advantadge of a conterversial new rule by the NCAA that allows him to be immediately eligible to play at Vandy, instead of the usual one season holdout period used on those who transfer. This off-season, the rule was changed for players who have finished their undergraduate degree program and have eligibility left to immediately play for another school where they are doing their post-graduate studies. How this changes the game in the long run remains to be seen, but there has been some background chatter on fan boards that the coaches association is not exactly happy with this new rule.
Kovalcheck will be one of three quarterbacks hoping to land the starters job this season in Nashville, eplacing star quarterback Jay Cutler. Redshirt sophomore Chris Nickson, message board favorite, and redshirt freshman Mackenzi Adams practiced this spring with Nickson having a slight advantage.
