NCAA Proposes CFB Rule Change Eliminating Spring Transfer Window for Roster Stability

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIAugust 28, 2024

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The NCAA FBS and FCS oversight committees have recommended eliminating the college football 15-day transfer portal period in April, per ESPN’s Max Olson.

The reasoning, per the proposal, is to create more “roster stability for student-athletes and their programs.”

The spring portal has been in place over the past two years. Eliminating that would leave the 30-day transfer window beginning in December.

The move is dependent on a vote of the Division I Council, which will meet in October. If approved, the change would be enacted for the 2024-25 academic year. The window would be open from Monday, Dec. 9 (two days after the final conference title games) until Jan. 7.

Some rules would not change despite the proposal, per Olson.

“Players whose teams are competing in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff or in the FCS playoffs would still get a five-day exemption to enter the portal after their season has concluded. Players have also been able to take advantage of a 30-day window to transfer in the event of a coaching change.”

Joel Klatt and Josh Pate of Fox Sports offered their opinion on the matter.

The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod @JoelKlattShow”Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t that overlap with the end of the season?” 👀 @joelklatt and @JoshPateCFB break down the transfer portal window situation if the spring window were to go away ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xM1nq4ClTP

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports first reported on Aug. 23 that the NCAA Football Oversight Committee recommended the change to the Division I Council, which will also meet via video conference in September to talk over the matter.

As Dellenger noted, “it is unusual, but not unprecedented, for the council to reject a recommendation from the oversight committee.”

Dellenger also reported that all four power conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12) plus the American Football Coaches Association are in favor of the move.