Alabama is again blocking a player from joining another SEC school as a graduate transfer.

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy is interested in transferring to Auburn or Tennessee but isn't even currently allowed to have contact with those schools, any other school in the SEC or any of the Crimson Tide's future non-conference opponents, sources told AL.com.

Kennedy, who ended the spring as Alabama's backup center, is in the process of appealing.

The Wetumpka native graduated from Alabama in December and is close to completing the requirements for his master's degree.

Brandon Kennedy's Alabama release document. (obtained by AL.com)

This is two years after the Alabama-Maurice Smith situation.

Smith was initially blocked from leaving the Tide for Georgia as a graduate transfer before eventually being allowed to do so by Alabama and the SEC.

There have been at least two SEC players that transferred within the conference as graduates in the last year -- running back David Williams, who left South Carolina for Arkansas, and defensive back Nick Harvey, who recently transferred from Texas A&M to South Carolina.

"The standard for granting waivers has been clear and compelling evidence that there is reason for allowing an exception to SEC rules," Sankey said in 2016. "I found, among other contributing factors, that a student-athlete who graduates in three years and exhibits a strong commitment to his or her academic future provides compelling motivation to help them achieve their goals on and off the field."

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.