A new GHSA rule on private-school transfers might cost an Alabama-committed five-star football recruit a season of eligibility.
Demetris Robertson, a defensive back who transferred from Savannah Country Day to Savannah Christian early in the school year, was ruled ineligible by the GHSA on Tuesday. Robertson had not yet played for Savannah Christian.
The new rule, passed Sept. 15, essentially states that private-school students are ineligible for athletics for one year if they transfer from one private school to another in the same county. Savannah Country Day and Savannah Christian are in Chatham County.
When Robertson first transferred, the rules allowed private-school student-athletes to be immediately eligible if they moved from Chatham County public-school district to another. However, the GHSA determined that Robertson's guardian, who is also his brother, did not abandon the original residence until Monday - after the new rule went into effect.
Robertson’s case is on the agenda for the next appeal-board hearing on Oct. 7. Robertson could be ruled eligible at that meeting.
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