• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

Players will now have just one window to transfer at the conclusion of football season.

Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The NCAA is taking steps to rein in “unrestricted free agency” in college football.

On Wednesday, the NCAA announced it had approved the elimination of the spring transfer portal window for football—leaving players just one window to transfer at the conclusion of football season.

Players don’t have to decide which school to attend during the transfer portal window. Instead, the window is simply an allotted amount of time for them to declare that they intend to transfer for the following season.

The previous structure included two windows that ran in December before the College Football Playoff, from Dec. 9 to Dec. 28, and another in the spring that ran from April 16 to April 25. Now, there will be just one timeframe at the end of the college football season. 

The American Football Coaches Association supported the elimination of the spring window. The combination of NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals and the ability for players to transfer as many times as they wanted led to athletes re-negotiating contracts and transferring every year. That also meant coaches had to re-recruit their roster every season. Through the American Football Coaches Association, coaches had voiced frustration over having to worry about players leaving their programs twice a year: in spring and winter.  

The governing body has not, however, made a decision on the specific dates and length of the existing winter window. 

Currently, players have 20 days at the end of December to enter the portal—a timeline that has been burdensome for coaches participating in the College Football Playoff. The NCAA is discussing a proposal that would shift and shorten the window to begin Jan. 2, after the CFP quarterfinals have concluded, and run until Jan. 11. Players still involved in the CFP at the time of the transfer window, however, will have five days after their season ends to enter the portal.

Another proposal would kill all recruiting in December.

The changes will undoubtedly shorten the period players will have to transfer, but it’s unclear whether the NCAA has the power to enforce these windows. That concept was challenged last year by Miami football player Xavier Lucas, who left Wisconsin after the school had refused to enter his name into the portal. He skirted the rules by enrolling at Miami after the portal window had closed, and then joining the team.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium

UNC’s Disastrous Season Continues With Report of NCAA Rules Violation

A UNC cornerbacks coach reportedly gave sideline passes to a players’ family.
Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker

NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The proposal still needs to be approved by D-II and D-III committees.
exclusive

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

Under the proposal, Big Ten would spin assets into a new entity.
October 7, 2025

NIL Hits Week 1: Auburn’s Atlanta Game Marks Next Step in Player..

The teams will play in the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 6, 2025

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
October 5, 2025

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.