The Maurice Smith transfer saga comes to an end

Tuscaloosa News Sports Editor, Cecil Hurts, has broken the news that the University of Alabama has granted Maurice Smith his release to Georgia.

BREAKING: Alabama grants release to DB Marcus Smith, pending SEC waiver ruling. https://t.co/CZKeV4nYfn

— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) August 10, 2016

In June, I reported that Smith revealed to me that Miami, Maryland and Georgia were major players for the graduate transfer. In the end it was Kirby Smart who landed the former four-star corner.

Things began to get ugly when it was reported that Alabama would not cooperate with Smith's demands. He went on record to say that the team threw all of his belongings out of his locker, and even went as far as stripping away his privileges to use the athletic facilities.

The turmoil escalated when Smith's mother, Samyra, became involved. She was critical of Nick Saban for the fact he let former Alabama receiver, Chris Black, transfer to Missouri, an SEC East school. She rooted for Kirby Smart, who stood up for Smith, stating that he would let a graduate transfer take his talents anywhere in the SEC.

She elaborated on her support of Kirby Smart to dawgnation.com:

"I applaud Kirby Smart for openly supporting the choices of graduate transfer students and their ability to freely make them without issue. I also hope that student-athletes that are being recruited understand the difference. Our family advocates for student-athletes and believes in following the rules. But in the interest of doing so, one can never eliminate human compassion, wise judgement, and the balance between them all (the institution and student-athlete.)"

Maryland and Miami fans offered an outpouring of support for smith during his transfer process, but ultimately he had some affection for UGA that couldn't be beaten.

There is an evaluation going on over the waiver to see if Maurice will be to play immediately. If that ultimately happens, many feel Smith will be a solid option at nickel back for the Bulldogs.

Some of the other schools featured had depth charts that would have allowed Smith to see more playing time, but regardless, Maurice will now get to pursue his dream of reuniting with his former defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

Final Score

Maurice and Mama Smith 1 Nick Saban 0