In a surprising turn, UCLA redshirt sophomore Karson Gordon just announced he’ll enter the NCAA Transfer Portal—but as a track and field athlete. Even with this move, he still plans to keep playing football wherever he lands next.
Gordon’s journey at UCLA has been, well, a bit of a rollercoaster. Originally, he came in as a three-star dual-threat quarterback from Episcopal High School in Missouri City, Texas.
From the start, his athleticism was obvious. When UCLA landed former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava in April 2025, Gordon made the switch to wide receiver.
That transition wasn’t by accident. With Iamaleava taking the starting quarterback spot and his brother Madden likely the backup, the QB room got crowded fast.
Gordon didn’t want to just sit on the bench. Instead, he took on the challenge of learning wide receiver, showing off his adaptability and drive.
But it’s not just football—Gordon’s made waves in track and field too. As a triple jumper, he hit a personal best with a 51-foot, 11-inch jump at the Spokane Sports Showcase in January 2025.
He also nabbed a national title with a 51-4.5 leap at the 2023 Nike Outdoor Nationals. It’s pretty clear: the guy’s got serious skills across the board.
Now, Gordon’s entering the NCAA Transfer Portal as a track and field athlete. It’s a big moment, and it seems like he’s looking for a place that fits his two-sport ambitions a bit better.
The NCAA’s month-long track and field portal window just opened, so the timing couldn’t be better for him to see what’s out there.
Why transfer now? For starters, the Iamaleava brothers have quarterback locked down at UCLA, which cut into Gordon’s chances to play under center.
Plus, Chip Kelly—who was a big reason Gordon picked UCLA in the first place—is gone. The team’s changed, and Gordon wants a dynamic scheme that actually uses his dual-threat abilities.
By entering the portal as a track and field athlete, Gordon keeps his options wide open. He can join any program as a two-sport guy, which is pretty rare.
With his background, you have to think plenty of schools will want him for both football and track. Programs looking to boost their rosters are probably already making calls.
Gordon leaving is going to be felt at UCLA, no doubt. He made an impact on both football and track, and losing someone that versatile stings.
Still, UCLA’s got a solid recruiting pipeline and competitive teams, so they’ll figure out a way forward.
On the football side, they’ll need to shuffle things around. Nico and Madden Iamaleava bring some stability at quarterback, but someone will have to step up at wide receiver now that Gordon’s gone.
That could be a real chance for another player to make a name for themselves.
For track and field, Gordon’s triple jump wins put UCLA on the map. They’ll have to find and develop new talent to stay competitive.
Honestly, his departure kind of highlights how valuable it is to recruit athletes who can do a bit of everything. Programs everywhere are probably taking notes.
Conclusion
Karson Gordon just entered the NCAA Transfer Portal as a track and field athlete. This move feels like a big moment in his career.
At UCLA, Gordon showed off his versatility and adaptability. The guy’s got serious athleticism, no question about it.
Now that he’s exploring new opportunities, his ability to compete in multiple sports stands out. Any program would be lucky to have someone with his skills.
Of course, his departure leaves UCLA with some gaps to fill. But hey, that also means fresh talent might get a shot.
For more details on Karson Gordon’s transfer decision and his athletic achievements, visit On3’s detailed report.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
