Is official. So free agency is a permanent part of the most popular NCAA sports. Most other sports have always had immediate eligibility, just it was mostly out of sight, out of mind.
Student athletes in fall/winter sports have until July 1 to hit the portal and be eligible immediately, will be May 1 starting next year.
I also don't see the transfer numbers being as high as they are this season going forward since it's only a one time deal on not having to sit out.
I think this being the first year of the rule has created a spike in transfer numbers and I think we'll see a smaller number next season. I don't see it ever going back to pre pandemic numbers, but I think somewhere between 900-1,100 per year probably becomes the new annual range.