The NCAA transfer portal has shaken up college football in ways nobody saw coming. Since 2018, it’s rewritten the playbook for how teams build their rosters, for better or worse.
Some see it as a game-changer. Others, well, they’re still trying to figure out how to keep up. If you’re curious about how the portal actually works, what’s changed lately, or what it all means for the future, here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the NCAA Transfer Portal
The portal itself is a database where college athletes can put their names in and get recruited by other schools. It started on October 15, 2018, mostly to stop coaches from blocking transfers by refusing to release scholarships.
To enter, an athlete tells their school—usually through the compliance office—and then the school has two business days to add them to the portal after getting written notice. It’s a pretty straightforward process, but it can feel like a leap into the unknown.
How the Portal Works
Technically, athletes can transfer without using the portal, but that’s rare now. Most transfers happen through the portal because schools can’t talk to a player unless their name is in there.
This year, the portal’s open for 15 days: January 2 to January 16. That’s for all FBS and FCS players, no matter their year or graduation status.
There are a few exceptions. Teams playing in the national championship game, or those with head coaching changes after the portal closes, get special consideration.
Recent Changes to the Transfer Portal
The portal’s rules have shifted a lot. From 2022 to 2025, there were two windows to enter: winter and spring.
Now, starting in 2026, the NCAA scrapped the spring window. A lot of coaches actually pushed for this change.
Also, the head coaching change exception got tweaked. Instead of a 30-day window after a coaching change, it’s now 15 days starting five days after a new coach is hired.
Implications of the Changes
With no spring window, everything’s on the clock during winter. Players and schools have to make decisions quickly.
If a player wants to enroll in time for spring semester, they need to watch those deadlines. It adds a real sense of urgency.
Sure, a player can take their time picking a new school. But if they’re hoping for spring practice, they’d better act fast.
High Stakes for Players and Schools
Once a player enters the portal, nothing’s guaranteed. Schools don’t have to hold a roster spot or honor scholarships for players who leave.
Some coaches are pretty firm—if you enter the portal, you’re gone. Others might allow a return if the player’s in good standing. It really depends on the program.
Players can transfer as often as they want, but there’s a catch: they have to be academically eligible and not under disciplinary suspension or dismissal.
Top Players to Watch
Quarterbacks are the hottest commodity in the portal, and they can totally flip a team’s outlook. This year, a few names stand out:
- Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati)
- Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
- Drew Mestemaker (North Texas)
- Josh Hoover (TCU)
- Byrum Brown (USF)
- Dylan Raiola (Nebraska)
But it’s not just quarterbacks making waves. Auburn receiver Cam Coleman and Utah edge rusher John Henry Daley are also grabbing attention.
The Athletic has even ranked the top five players at each position who’ve declared for the portal, and honestly, more big names are probably on the way.
Financial Aspects of Transfers
Money talks, and in the portal, it talks loudly. Compensation varies a ton, depending on position, experience, and how desperate a team is for a certain player.
Quarterbacks rake in the most. Power 4 starters can see seven-figure contracts. Offensive tackles, edge rushers, and top defensive linemen aren’t far behind, often landing high six to seven figures.
Group of 5 schools? They’re on a different scale. Quarterbacks might top out in the mid-six figures, while most others get low six figures or less than $100,000.
Revenue Sharing and NIL Deals
Schools can pay players directly, but there’s a cap—thanks to the House v. NCAA settlement. In 2025, that cap is $20.5 million for the entire athletic department.
Most Power 4 schools put $13-15 million of that into football. Group of 5 programs usually keep their football budgets under $5 million.
The revenue-sharing limit is set to rise by about 4 percent in 2026. But here’s the twist: third-party NIL deals aren’t included in that cap, so well-funded schools can go above and beyond if they want.
Tampering and Recruitment
Officially, schools aren’t supposed to recruit players before the portal opens. In reality, enforcement is pretty loose.
Agents often reach out to general managers or staffers at schools to see if there’s interest before a player even enters the portal. It’s almost like an unofficial tampering window in late November and early December.
That’s why some players announce commitments the moment the portal opens. Sometimes, they’ve already lined up visits to their top choices before their names even appear in the database.
The Role of General Managers
General managers used to be a pro sports thing, but now they’re everywhere in college football. Head coaches bring them in to handle roster building, player evaluations, payroll, and negotiating with agents.
Honestly, with the portal chaos, these GMs are more important than ever. They’re the ones trying to keep everything from spinning out of control.
Impact on College Football Playoff Teams
Transfers have changed the game for Playoff contenders. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s quarterback, transferred from Cal and actually took home the Heisman Trophy.
Some Playoff teams still lean on high school recruiting, but others—like Indiana and Texas Tech—are all-in on transfers. The Athletic has a full breakdown of how much transfers contributed to all 12 Playoff teams, if you’re into the numbers.
Balancing Transfers and High School Recruiting
Even with the transfer portal grabbing headlines, high school recruiting isn’t going anywhere. Coaches and general managers keep saying it’s usually cheaper, and honestly, more sustainable, to invest in young recruits than to try patching up a roster with transfers every season.
The Athletic’s latest recruiting cycle report digs into what top high school players are commanding these days. It’s a reminder—if anyone needed one—that high school talent still matters a lot in college football.
If you’re curious about the ins and outs of the NCAA transfer portal, The Athletic’s comprehensive guide is worth a look.
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