In a move that could reshape college football, the NCAA’s Football Oversight Committee is recommending the elimination of the 15-day spring transfer portal window, according to reliable sources. This proposal was recently presented to the Division I Council, which will review it during its upcoming fall meetings. Should the council approve this change, it could take effect as early as 2025.
If this measure goes through, athletes looking to transfer before the 2025 season would only have the winter portal window to consider their options. This potential rule change comes on the heels of a record-breaking number of athletes entering the transfer portal after the 2023 season, with more than 3,800 players participating. This number far surpasses the previous high of 3,502 recorded during the 2022-23 cycle. Notably, over 1,200 athletes made their moves during the spring window, indicating its popularity.
Despite the appeal of the spring transfer window for players, the numbers show that it has not been heavily favored by top talent. Only 11 of the top 100 players in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings entered during this period. This includes just three players from the top 50, raising questions about the long-term viability of the spring window.
While the elimination of the spring window could tighten player movement, it would also provide coaches with more stability, as they often face uncertainty about their rosters throughout spring practice. However, there are concerns regarding a forthcoming cap on rosters, limiting them to 105 players due to the House v. NCAA decision. This cap is expected to complicate matters for transfers.
As the NCAA considers this significant change, one committee member expressed uncertainty regarding the council’s decision. However, they indicated that while legislative rejections are not common, dissolution of the spring window seems to be a likely progression.
