Bo Ryan lifts non-league restrictions on transfer Jarrod Uthoff

Ryan took a PR hit for restricting the transfer, but now Uthoff can go anywhere except within the Big Ten. (US Presswire)

Bo Ryan and Wisconsin finally came to their senses.

Shortly after a meeting with Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin redshirt freshman Jarrod Utholff was given "permission to contact" every school outside the Big Ten.

The school released a statement shortly after 3 p.m. ET on Thursday afternoon.

Ryan had caught plenty of heat over the last 24 hours after it it became public that the 6-foot-8 Uthoff wasn't allowed to talk to Iowa State, Marquette and the entire ACC.

Ryan said Thursday morning on ESPN's Mike & Mike that he wanted the appeals process to serve as a dialogue between Uthoff and Wisconsin's administration.

Uthoff told CBSSports.com that he did speak with Ryan shortly after the season ended and wound up meeting in-person with assistant coach Gary Close to inform him that he would be leaving the program.

"I left because of how I fit into their style of play and how I feel that they were going to utilize me," Uthoff told CBSSports.com earlier in the week. "I was able to see that after spending a year on the team."

Uthoff told CBSSports.com that he wants to play close to home -- and now he'll be able to look at Iowa State and Marquette -- schools that are within driving distance from his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.