I was wondering what the rules are for transferring from an NAIA school to a D1 school? Would that player have t sit out a year?

Yes, usually. The rule covers players transferring from any 4 year institution.

If the player wasn't recruited at the NAIA school, and didn't receive athletic money, he may not have to sit.

Or, if he didn't practice, play, or receive any money at the NAIA school, and the D1 didn't recruit him, he doesn't have to sit.

So when you you say sit out a year, that means the player cannot redshirt that year?

Sorry, "sit" is just a common shorthand meaning "not eligible to participate in intercollegiate competition". In other word, a player transferring into a D1 from a 4 year school typically is not allowed to play in games until he has completed one academic year of residence at the new school. He is allowed to practice in the fall, and if the team places him on the 35 man roster, in the spring. Depending on the detailed circumstances of the transfer, he may be eligible for athletic aid.

In D1, a player is allowed to compete in 4 seasons of play, but is no longer eligible when 5 calendar years have elapsed since first enrolling full-time at any college.

A transfer player who is ineligible to compete does not consume a season of competition, but of course a calendar year does go by.

So, a player who enters college A, plays in his freshman year, transfers to college B, sits out his sophomore year, can then play in the next 3 seasons. He would use up his 4 seasons of eligibilty just as the 5 year clock ran out.

A similar player who doesn't play in any games (redshirts) his freshman year, transfers and sits, can also play in the next 3 seasons. He will have accumulated 3 seasons of play when the 5 year period is over.

Oh okay, that makes sense now. Thanks for the help!