ATHENS — In an unprecedented action by the SEC office, former Georgia offensive lineman Cade Mays had his waiver approved to be immediately eligible to play for Tennessee this season.
Mays made the announcement via his social media accounts Tuesday night under the heading, “Let’s ride.”
Mays’ approval was part of a sweeping move made by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey on Tuesday in which he approved almost all the waiver requests sitting on his desk in Birmingham, Ala. However, it’s unknown whether Ole Miss defensive back Otis Reese’s request was included in that stack. Reese, who also played at Georgia the past two seasons, had not heard back from the NCAA as of last week.
The SEC sent out a news release Wednesday explaining Sankey’s reasoning but not including any names of the players involved.
“In consideration of current circumstances resulting from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including eligibility relief provided to student-athletes in August by the NCAA, and in anticipation of changes to NCAA transfer legislation, the Southeastern Conference today approved a number of transfer waiver requests that originated from member institutions seeking exceptions to the long-standing Conference bylaw that requires intraconference transfers serve a year in residence before being eligible to compete,” Sankey said in the statement.
“It must be stated unequivocally that these approvals are solely a reflection of the unique circumstances present and should not be interpreted as endorsement of the rationale set forth by individuals seeking these waivers. These are unprecedented times in which decisions about eligibility and competitive opportunities demand consideration of the current challenges facing our student-athletes and schools as a result of COVID-19. In a non-COVID environment there may have been a different outcome for some of the waiver requests determined today.”
Kentucky quarterback Joey Gatewood also had his eligibility granted. He transferred from Auburn after last season.
In August, the Mays’ attorney, Gregory Isaacs of Knoxville, told the Knoxville News-Sentinel that the reason Cade left Georgia was because “it was a toxic environment that did not support Cade Mays' well-being as a student-athlete.”
Georgia coach Kirby Smart and players asked about it vigorously dispute that characterization. Asked about Mays’ approval Wednesday night, Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity reiterated Sankey’s remarks that the approval had nothing to do with those allegations or anything other actions the Mays family has taken.
“People are going to think what they think; I can’t control that," McGarity said. "But it’s important for everyone to know (Mays) didn’t get that waiver because of what he said about us.”
Mays’ personal comments Wednesday credit the actions of Tennessee’s administration and fans for winning his appeal.
“Thank you to my friends and Vol Nation for being relentless in our pursuit of my eligibility,” Mays wrote. “You guys made your voice heard and sent a powerful message for all to hear.”
Sankey’s logic has much to do with the NCAA’s expectant approval a one-time, no-questions-asked transfer policy at its annual meeting in January. Sankey acknowledged in his statement that many conference schools oppose immediate eligibility for intraconference transfers.
In the meantime, Mays' approval could be significant in how the SEC’s Eastern Division plays out this season. It means that the 6-foot-5, 318-pound junior and former 5-star prospect will be able to play for the Volunteers when they visit No. 4 Georgia on Oct. 10. Mays started 18 games for the Bulldogs, and wore the UGA uniform for 15 games in Sanford Stadium, where he’s expected to start for the Vols.
Mays started at left tackle for the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. He announced he had entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal a week later, and then the Vols confirmed that he had enrolled there the same day.
For years, the SEC has refused to approve eligibility for intraconference transfers without a fulfilling a “year in residency” requirement. There have been a few isolated cases of exceptions to that rule, but only with extenuating special circumstances. That was the case when Van Jefferson was granted immediate eligibility at Florida two years ago after leaving Ole Miss, which was placed on NCAA probation with a bowl ban and its coach was fired.
“It is important to recognize that these approvals are not an endorsement of the rationale set forward by the individuals seeking waivers,” McGarity said in a statement released by UGA. "Commissioner Sankey plainly indicated that he approved all waivers due to the unprecedented circumstances we face. We look forward to reviewing our current bylaws to attend to the changing national landscape while protecting the shared ideals that make this conference so special. We are proud of how we operate our athletic program and the way we facilitate the development of our athletes.
Mays' father, Kevin Mays, filed a six-figure lawsuit against UGA over a folding-chair accident that occurred while on a recruiting trip to Georgia in 2017. That accident severed the end of Mays' pinkie. However, his son signed with the Bulldogs after the accident occurred.
There was no word from Ole Miss regarding Reese. Reese also was seeking a waiver for immediate eligibility. However, his appeal had not yet been ruled on by the NCAA’s eligibility committee. The SEC won’t make an ruling until it has first been heard by the NCAA.
SEC bylaw 14.5.1 on transferring within the conference has been in place since 2000. It states that, “a transfer student from a member institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition at another member institution until the student has fulfilled a residence requirement of one full academic year (two full semesters) at the certifying institution.” It also says a transfer won’t be considered “after the 12th class day of a semester” for the purpose of establishing residency.
UGA was major player in the movement to allow immediate eligibility for graduate transfers. Safety Maurice “Mo” Smith was granted immediately eligibility on appeal to play for Georgia in 2016 when he followed Smart from Alabama as a graduate transfer. In 2018, the SEC approved Bylaw 14.5.5.1.1 ensuring immediate eligibility for all graduates transfers within the conference.
Mays is from Knoxville and his father is a Tennessee football letterman. There is speculation that the Mays family has been upset with the Bulldogs and Smart because they did not offer a scholarship to Cade’s younger brother, Cooper Mays. Cooper Mays, also an offensive lineman, signed with the Vols in the 2020 recruiting class. Cade has said it is important to him that he be able to play with his brother.
Mays, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound junior, was a considered a major recruiting coup when he signed with the Bulldogs in 2018. The 5-star prospect out of Knoxville Catholic High was Georgia’s most versatile lineman the past two seasons. Mays started seven games at right guard as a freshman. He started 11 games for the Bulldogs last season, including two at right tackle and the final game of the season at left tackle after junior Andrew Thomas skipped the Sugar Bowl to train for the NFL draft. Thomas was the No. 4 overall pick, going to New York Giants.
