Virginia Tech, UCLA firings opens 30-day transfer portal windows

The college football coaching carousel woke up on Sunday morning, with Virginia Tech firing Brent Pry and UCLA parting ways with DeShaun Foster. The moves to fire head coaches only a few weeks into the season trigger the opening of 30-day transfer portal windows for both rosters.

For Virginia Tech, the Hokies lost to South Carolina and Vanderbilt in the opening weeks of the season before a 45-26 blowout home loss to Old Dominion. Foster was fired at UCLA following a 35-10 loss at home on Friday night to New Mexico.

NCAA rules allow athletes on a team with a coaching change to enter the portal the day after the change. In this case, Virginia Tech and UCLA athletes can enter starting Monday. Roster retention will be a 1B to finding a successor to Pry and Foster, respectively. UCLA does not actually start classes until Sept. 25 because it is on a quarter system.

Because neither team has played more than four games yet, players will also be able to make the push to redshirt the 2025 season if eligible. The 30-day windows give players a significant head start on entering the portal. The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee recently approved a one-time-only portal window for college football in January.

Players to know at Virginia Tech, UCLA

The Hokies were raided in the portal during the offseason, losing defensive back Mansoor Delane (LSU), offensive lineman Braelin Moore (LSU), offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin (Auburn) and safety Jalen Stroman (Notre Dame), among others. Notable names to watch at Virginia Tech who could enter the portal include defensive lineman Kemari Copeland and wide receiver Ayden Greene.

At UCLA, Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava could be on the move again. Landing somewhere that can help continue his development will be key. Oregon transfer Rodrick Pleasant has started all three games at cornerback for the Bruins and is one of the fastest players in the country.