The NCAA ends the spring transfer window in college football
On September 17, the NCAA Administrative Committee adopted a proposal to eliminate the spring transfer portal window.
Ryan Day, Ohio State head coach
I just don’t quite understand how teams that are playing in the playoffs are expected to make the decisions and sign their upcoming players while they’re still getting ready to play for games. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Day by day
- Sep 17, 2025The NCAA said the committee eliminated the spring transfer window for football.
- Same dayThe NCAA said the football oversight committees would consider changes to the proposed single January window.
The day
Sep 17, 2025
Last year, the NCAA had to abandon its one-time transfer rule amid legal challenges and pass emergency legislation to permit unlimited transfers for athletes who are academically eligible and meeting progress-to-degree requirements.
Reaction
Sep 10 to Sep 17, 2025
Backs one transfer window
Brian Kelly, LSU head coach
I’m sorry; there’s no crying on the yacht. It’s the best position at this time that allows us to set our rosters moving forward.
Kirby Smart, Georgia head coach
That’s not realistic, the kids and players that want to leave, that are not happy, I don’t know that they should be staying on campus an extra semester.
Matt Rhule, Nebraska head coach
Basketball has one window. So it’s not like we’re the first sport to do it. We’re just making ourselves whole like the other sports.
Show the other quotes
Brent Venables, Oklahoma head coach
Let’s get a window that makes sense for everybody to both recruit, evaluate and still be able to get them into school.
Steve Sarkisian, Texas head coach
But I think for the betterment of the sport, that’s the right window for the players to have a chance to go in and decide where they want to go so they can enroll in their next institution for spring …
Wants the window later than January
Ross Bjork, Ohio State athletic director
If we ever say that we care about academics and we want to live by that, then I think the transfer portal window should be in the spring.
Reports or explains without taking a side
The NCAA Administrative Committee on Wednesday adopted a proposal to eliminate the spring transfer portal window …
The NCAA’s own words
NCAA News
Administrative Committee eliminates DI football’s spring transfer window and fall transfer window’s graduate student exception.
In response to student-athlete feedback, football oversight committees will consider modifications to proposed single January window, including length …
Related
- Jun 13, 2018The NCAA ends the permission rule for transfers
- Apr 28, 2021The NCAA’s one-time transfer rule
- The NCAA ends the spring transfer windowThis page
Sources
News and releases
CBS Sports, Sep 17, 2025“NCAA approves single transfer portal window: How the new rule will impact college football”
ESPN, Sep 4, 2025“NCAA votes for single football transfer portal window”
FootballScoop, Sep 10, 2025“Brian Kelly, Kirby Smart respond to Ryan Day on Transfer Portal”
- ESPN, Sep 10, 2025
“LSU’s Brian Kelly: SEC coaches unified on new portal dates”
Eleven Warriors, Sep 17, 2025“College Football Will Officially Have Only One Transfer Portal Window in 2026, But Dates Are Not Yet Finalized”
NCAA News post, as embedded by Eleven Warriors