Texas Longhorns Basketball Recruiting: Jordan Clarkson Officially Released for Transfer

Over the past month, there has been rampant speculation that Tulsa sophomore shooting guard Jordan Clarkson might eventually find his way to the Forty Acres. Clarkson, who led the Golden Hurricane with 16.5 PPG and 2.5 APG last year, had expressed interest in transferring after head coach Doug Wojcik was fired. Clarkson had not officially requested a transfer, opting to mull over the decision after Tulsa hired new head coach Danny Manning (formerly an assistant with Kansas).

It appears that mulling period is over. The Tulsa World reported last night that Clarkson had officially asked for his transfer and has been granted a release from his scholarship. Even World sportswriter Eric Bailey acknowledged that Clarkson is interested in Texas:

Speculation has linked Clarkson to Big 12 schools, including the University of Texas. Clarkson will have to sit out one season regardless of what school he transfers to next year. If he goes to a school that Tulsa has released him to, he can receive an athletic scholarship. If Clarkson attends a school that isn’t on Tulsa’s list, he must attend the school at his own cost.

That means we're just counting down the days until Clarkson is a Longhorn, right? Not necessarily.

This morning, the Tulsa World revealed that so far, Clarkson has been released to just three schools of the eight he requested. Would it surprise you to know that Texas isn't listed (but is likely one of the eight schools)? Per the Tulsa World, Clarkson has permission to contact Colorado, Vanderbilt, and TCU. But not Texas. Mike Clarkson, Jordan's father, says that Tulsa has granted permission to only two of the nine schools.

The issue of a school limiting a player's transfer options has sparked a national furor, but not because of Clarkson. Instead, it's Wisconsin's Bo Ryan at the center of the storm. Wisconsin reserve Jarrod Uthoff was informed by Wisconsin that he would be restricted from transferring to not only another Big 10 school (understandable), but also any ACC school, Iowa State, or Marquette. That is a full 25 schools that Uthoff cannot play for, simply due to the whims of Wisconsin and the preposterous regulations of the NCAA. Protecting the "student-athlete"? Hardly.

What that means for Clarkson and Texas remains to be seen. If indeed Tulsa adds Texas to Clarkson's "restricted list," it's unlikely that Clarkson would want to pay his own way for three years (one redshirt year, and two remaining eligible years). Which means Texas would probably be S.O.L. in trying to land Clarkson.