College football heading for single, 15-day transfer window

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The Division I Administrative Committee on Tuesday gave final approval for a major change to the football transfer portal, agreeing to remove the spring window in favor of a single, 15-day window in January.

Going forward, FBS football players will only be able to enter the transfer portal from Jan. 2-16.

Last month, the Division I FBS Oversight Committee recommended the reduction of days the portal was “open” to one 10-day period from Jan. 2-11.

“In response to student-athlete feedback, the Division I Administrative Committee asked the Division I FBS Oversight Committee to further discuss the length of the period,” the NCAA said in a statement on its website Tuesday.

The Administrative Committee approved a 15-day notification-of-transfer period, saying in a statement that the action is not final until the conclusion of its meetings Wednesday.

Before this change, there was a 20-day period starting in December — which overlaps with the College Football Playoff and bowl season — and another 10-day spring window during April, coinciding with spring practices.

Exceptions still remain. Athletes are still allowed to enter the transfer portal in the 30 days after their head coach departs a given school. The FBS Oversight Committee plans to continue potential changes to that exception.

There is also a small carve-out for players whose teams play in the College Football Playoff on or after Jan. 12

“Student-athletes who are members of teams that participate in a postseason contest on or after Jan. 12 may initiate notification during a consecutive-five-day period beginning the day after their team’s final postseason contest,” the NCAA said.

–Field Level Media