The NCAA Administrative Committee approved a modification from the FBS Oversight Committee that the winter Transfer Portal window will open from Jan. 2 to 16.
NCAA approves winter window dates for Transfer Portal, Jan. 2 to 16
The college football Transfer Portal underwent changes in early September as the committees decided to reduce the two-window period into one. Instead of a fall and spring Transfer Portal, the NCAA agreed that only one window will open starting in the 2025-26 season.
The dates that window would open remained undecided until Oct. 8. The original dates proposed were Jan. 2 to 11, meaning student-athletes now have a longer period to decide whether they enter the portal or not. Under these new rules, they are not required to enroll at a new school by Jan. 16.
Since the College Football Playoff schedule surpasses that closing date, the NCAA allows student-athletes participating in those games a five-day Transfer Portal period starting the day after their last postseason contest.
This was a concern voiced by many coaches, especially those in the Big Ten, that the one window model interferes with CFP play. The NCAA's new guidelines aim to avoid any disruptions or unfairness.
NCAA adjusts Transfer Portal format followed after a coach is fired or leaves
Following a coach's departure from the program, whether fired or on their own accord, a 30-day Transfer Portal window immediately opened for players at that school.
An alteration to that format was also approved on Wednesday. Instead of a 30-day window, student-athletes have a 15-day period. Potentially more significant to the changes, too, is that window will not open until five days after a new coach is hired or announced.
This will halt a mass exit from players at schools that undergo coaching changes. More players may opt to remain with their team after the hiring of their new coach, and if not, they still have a 15-day period to transfer. It is also an attempt to hinder mid-season portal activity.
For players whose coach was fired prior to these changes, the 30-day window remains in place. Student-athletes who attend UCLA, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, and Arkansas will still have the remainder of their period to enter the Transfer Portal.