By: Raegan Skarda

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is restructuring the college football transfer portal. The new rules are limiting players to a single 15-day window each January, running from Jan. 2 to Jan. 15, to enter the portal, replacing multiple transfer periods that previously took place throughout the year. 

In previous years, there were multiple transfer portal windows that existed throughout the year. Once the season concluded, a 45-day winter window would open, spanning through December and January. The winter window allowed players to enter the portal before bowl game appearances and roster changes. In April, there was a spring window that lasted 15 days, which allowed players to transfer after spring practice. If a head coach left a school for another job, players received a 30-day transfer window. Players who played on College Football Playoff teams sometimes received an additional time period once their seasons concluded – but not promised.  

University of Arkansas Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Broadcast Kyle Parkinson said the change gives coaches more clarity.

“I think for a lot of coaches, that’s one thing they’ve been asking for over the last few years,” Parkinson said. “They wanted to know who their team was coming out of spring football. I think it’s important for the coaches, but also the team. When you know who’s going to be on the team when you come back and get ready to go for the season.”

The NCAA also expects December to become a recruiting dead period, prohibiting in-person visits – while communication with recruits is only deemed acceptable through calls, texts and social media. The timing aligns with bowl season, National Signing Day and transfer portal activity.

Parkinson said the updated calendar helps programs focus on fewer responsibilities at once.

“Just having those periods where you can concentrate on your team, and December where you can move on to the portal, is a nice thing for coaches where you’re not trying to do three or four different things at once,” Parkinson said.

Overall, the NCAA said these changes were designed to bring more structure to the transfer process by reducing roster turnover. By converting to a single transfer window, schools will have a clearer, more structured calendar to manage their rosters. 

The new transfer rules will continue to shape how teams build their rosters heading into future seasons.