The NCAA consolidated the football transfer portal window into a single, 15-day stretch from January 2-16, eliminating the spring window. An additional 5-day window is available for players whose teams are still in the expanded College Football Playoff after January 12. In addition, the window following a coaching change has been significantly shortened. It went from a 15-day window to five days, which opens after a new coach is hired.
How does the change affect things? I’ll try to explain from a few different angles.
For recruiting staffs
The new window is better for the quality of life of the football staff. The job is year-round with long hours and seven-day workweeks. The shorter window potentially gives them a bit more time with their families.
However, it’s going to make for a more chaotic two weeks. Getting offers out to players early and setting up visits is always essential. The portal was already speed dating, but now it’s speed dating in a microwave with a focus on making a great first impression. Thankfully, the program has a brand new facility to show off, and having a designated room for recruit photo shoots is going to make a difference in UH’s overall presentation. It may seem trivial, but it adds a layer for transfers to consider.
The best programs are “pre-portaling.” There’s an old phrase called, “recruit to transfer” or RTT. Basically, keeping a good relationship with a prospect after they commit elsewhere, just in case they had a change of heart in the future. Not after they’re enrolled at another school, of course. But, “pre-portaling” specifically is scouting college players around the country in case they do decide to transfer.
For example, a Big 12 program like UH would be looking at a standout from a G5 or FCS school and monitoring their performance. If that player decides to enter the transfer portal, there’s no need to pour over his film. They’ve already scouted him and can get right to offering and setting up a visit. This practice is even more valuable and necessary with the two-week window.
For college players
The new 15-day window is not great for players. They still have the ability to transfer if they’d like, but it’s even riskier. Before, transfers happened in waves. The early wave saw big names that would have an immediate impact. Another wave of schools is trying to replace players or add depth. And the Spring window gave players who didn’t think they had a chance to see the field an opportunity to move on.
Now, players will have to be more cautious with their decision to leave. Logically, I think there will be less turnover. Players will probably still initially enter thinking the grass is greener, but even more will withdraw than in the past. Of course, I say that a bit naively. Athletes are blessed with a (sometimes unrealistic) belief in themselves and think they are just a new opportunity away from greatness.
Coaches won’t be able to “move on” from as many players as they have in the past, either. This happened a lot after spring practice, but now there’s no avenue for it. And for a guy who is lower on the depth chart after spring ball than he wanted, he has no way to move on.
For high school players
I think high school recruiting will become more important and will hold as much value as it has previously. Programs will still go big game hunting in the portal, but development will continue to be the path to success for the majority of the country. Especially when it comes to position groups like the offensive and defensive line. This is a win for UH.
When coaches had a major contributor approaching the end of their career, they hammered home that they needed a replacement in the portal. They’re going to have to put on their development hats now and be sure they get the kind of player they want from the high school ranks. I expect to see more “project” type high school prospects get opportunities again.
A coaching staff will have to balance the need to win today with the limits of one portal window. Spring will be more about developing the guys you have, rather than souring on them and waiting for the spring portal period to fill in their rosters the last few seasons.
Ultimately, I don’t think shrinking the window is the worst thing. Players will still be able to transfer when their coach is fired or if they make the playoffs. But too many players were risking their careers – and chance at a college education – and were stuck in purgatory without any school being interested. This should create more stability amongst rosters and ideally lead to better football.
