I know the NCAA rule is that players have to notify the school of their intent to transfer by May 1. Not sure if the SEC rule is "notify" or "enroll".
---Eli Ricks decided to transfer to Alabama from LSU on 12/15/2021 - NO PROBLEM, immediately eligible.
---Jermaine Burton decided to transfer to Alabama from Georgia on 1/23/2022 - NO PROBLEM, immediately eligible.
---Tyler Steen decided to transfer to Alabama from Vanderbilt on 4/12/2022 - UNDER FURTHER REVIEW.
With Burton, seing as how he entered the Portal on 1/19, I am going to assume that his rapid movement was in time to register for classes in January before the late-registration deadline.
With Steen, I am not sure what his story is. He entered the Portal on 1/11/2022. If the SEC rule is "notify", then he is OK. If the SEC rule is "enroll", then he would need another exception. Steen enrolled in 2018. At an academic school like Vanderbilt, it is entirely possible that he has already graduated. I have a suspicion that the "February 1" date for SEC-to-SEC transfers might not apply to kids who graduate, as they should be entitled to choose whatever grad school they desire. And, as always, there could be an application for a waiver of the rule.
So I am not sure WHY Steen would be eligible to play immediately, I only know that if Saban took him, he has likely already figured that out well ahead of any of us doing so.