NCAA expected to adopt one transfer window model for football

The NCAA Administrative Committee has called a meeting for Wed., Sept. 17, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. The committee will review and likely formally adopt a single transfer portal window in January for football.

Last week, the NCAA’s football oversight committee voted in support of one transfer portal window, which would take place in January. The 10-day period would run Jan. 2-11, rather than having two windows – one in the winter and one in the spring.

A majority of the power conferences were on board with a singular January transfer portal window, On3 previously reported. The Big Ten, however, was steadfast in its support for one period to take place in the spring.

Following the football oversight committee’s vote, the reactions came in from coaches across the country. In the SEC, LSU’s Brian Kelly offered praise for the decision considering how busy December is even without having to worry about the portal.

“One window,” Kelly said. “I’m pleased that the Oversight Committee moved that along. We were in favor of the January 2-11 period. We think that’s going to allow us to set our rosters for the rest of the year, not put us in a position where we’re using revenue share NIL and then we don’t see them because they transfer.

“That’s a great move for the Oversight Committee, as well as December being dead. We’ve talked ad nauseam about all the things that go on, and one of them that’s really important is educating your own players in December. Like, should you stay? Should you go? Should you go to the NFL? We’re still signing a class, so I think those were all really positive from my perspective.”

However, Ohio State coach Ryan Day had a different perspective. He pushed back on putting the transfer portal window in January because teams will be preparing for the College Football Playoff and players will still have to make decisions on their futures.

“I just don’t quite understand how for 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,” Day said. “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Last year, the winter portal window opened Dec. 9 and ran through Dec. 28. In the spring, players could transfer during a one-week period from April 16-25. A decision to move to a singular window in January is due by Oct. 1, and it is due to come Wednesday during the Administrative Committee’s meeting barring anything unforeseen.