Chris Badger News is True

For those that follow Utah High School football, about 3 years ago there was a pretty solid Safety recruit out of Timpview in 2009 named Chris Badger.  He had offers from LSU and Notre Dame (among many others, but those were his last two choices, as he tells it), and ended up at ND.  He graduated early and did spring ball with ND in 2010 before going on a mission to Ecuador.

After the coaching changes and his mission, he returned to a situation where he was not welcome.  He was recruited by Charlie Weis, played Spring Ball with Brian Kelly, and came home to an entirely different type of team.  Badger isn't a slow guy, particularly for a D-I safety, but ND has gone into the deep south, Texas, Florida, and everywhere in between, to get fast defensive backs at all positions.

He continued to work hard, but he made no traction with the new coaches.  He wasn't even 4th string basically at this point.  His mother had some recent (undisclosed) health problems, I had heard.  I actually was planning to ask him if he had ever thought about transferring to BYU just this past Sunday at church, but the only time I saw him was on his way into the bishop's office.  He was apparently there to get an ecclesiastical endorsement!

Anyway, he is actually on his way to Provo today.  He will attempt to get an immediate waiver to play at BYU, due to his mother's health issues.  I will try to find precedent for a guy transferring schools post-training camp and getting immediate clearance (particularly if the two schools play in the same season), but my guess is he will have to sit out a year and will lose a year of eligibility (since he already redshirted).  There is precedent for an immediate waiver, but that transfer typically takes place in the off-season.  Perhaps the timing of the transfer might make the NCAA see it as a more urgent situation and sign on to the immediate waiver.  As a safety, my guess is he wouldn't see the field this year anyway, except on special teams.

So, yes, the rumors are true.  Chris Badger is leaving my ward to join a ward near you!