Transfer guard Trae Golden receives waiver for immediate play at Georgia Tech

Mar 15, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Trae Golden (11) drives the ball away from Alabama Crimson Tide guard Retin Obasohan (32) during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

In the midst of a football season that seems to be worsening by the day, the folks at Georgia Tech are in search of some positive news. On Thursday, they received some of that news out of the blue, but it didn’t come from the football program.

As ESPN’s Jeff Goodman (and multiple outlets) reports, Georgia Tech has received a waiver that will allow transfer guard Trae Golden to play for the Yellow Jackets this season. When we last heard from Golden, he was transferring to Tech from Tennessee back in July, but there was no definitive word on when he would be eligible for the Jackets.

Last season, Golden averaged over 12 points a game as a junior with the Vols, but his transfer came on the heels of a severe family illness that has affected his father. He would immediately be one of the more explosive (and experienced) guards in the entire ACC, and he may be the most talented player on the Tech roster from day one.

It remains to be seen what kind of role Golden will play with Georgia Tech, but this is an unquestioned talent upgrade for the program, and the prospects for 2013-2014 suddenly look more promising.