New transfer portal window met with applause from Aztecs, others

by Kirk Kenney

Maybe now college football coaches will have some time for Christmas shopping instead of player shopping.

The NCAA has shifted the early transfer portal window from Dec. 9-28 to Jan. 2-16. The spring portal period has been eliminated altogether.

“I’m in favor of this, so I’m good,” San Diego State coach Sean Lewis said last month when the changes were proposed. “Anything that provides stability is awesome. I think we’ve all been clamoring for one portal window. We’re the only sport right now that has multiple (windows), so having that be one, I think, is fair for all parties involved.”

The timeframe was also tightened for players on teams that have head coaching changes. Five days after a new coach is hired or announced, a 15-day transfer window will open. It had previously been 30 days. Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Virginia Tech, where coaches already have been fired, are grandfathered in under the old rules.

Last year’s transfer portal window opened just as dozens of teams were involved in postseason practices and games. SDSU had two dozen players enter the portal during the December window and another dozen enter during the April window. The Aztecs added nearly three dozen players during the two portal periods.

More than 4,900 FBS players and 3,200 FCS players — a record total — entered the portal during the 2024-25 school year, according to ESPN.

“It makes sense where December is dead so that we can spend time with our current roster,” Lewis said, “and do the No. 1 thing of retaining our own guys and being able to take a breath for a second and spend time with our guys and not have to run and chase on the road.

“Then prep and prepare for the new year when the calendar turns for the next season, but then being able to have your whole team.”

The January window does raise another issue — getting players into school.

SDSU’s spring semester begins Jan. 20, just four days after the window closes for entering the portal. Many players will still be determining their new destinations as classes start.