The NCAA is moving toward shrinking college football’s transfer calendar.
Earlier this week, the Division I Administrative Committee voted to eliminate the spring transfer window and move the sport to a single offseason entry period. That change takes effect this season, with exact dates to be finalized in October.
Alongside that, the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee and Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee recommended more legislative changes, including a shorter January portal and an adjustment to the recruiting calendar. Those proposals still need Administrative Committee approval before they can take effect, with a vote expected before Oct. 1.
“Under the recommendation, undergraduate and postgraduate FBS student-athletes could enter the Transfer Portal between Jan. 2-11.” the NCAA said in an update Sept. 4.
The same 10-day window would apply to FCS players, replacing the previous setup that gave athletes 19 days in December and 10 days in April.
Postseason teams would still get extra flexibility.
“Student-athletes who are members of teams that participate in a postseason contest on or after Jan. 7 may provide written transfer notification during a consecutive-five-day period beginning the day after their team’s final postseason contest.” the NCAA said in another update Sept. 10.
The FBS oversight committee also pushed for a month-long December recruiting dead period, meaning no visits during the busiest time of the year. Coaches would be allowed to return to in-person contact from Jan. 5-31. The existing quiet and dead periods around the American Football Coaches Association convention would remain.
Both oversight groups also recommended moving the first date that high school seniors can receive written offers of financial aid or settlement-related benefits.
“Currently, prospective student-athletes can receive written offers beginning Aug. 1 before their senior year of high school,” the NCAA said. “The recommendation would change the first date for written offers to Nov. 15 of the prospect’s senior year in high school.”
That shift would also extend the current contact ban to cover athletes who sign written settlement-related offers. Under the prohibition, once a recruit signs with one school, no other school is allowed to contact them.
If the recommendations are approved, football players at both the FBS and FCS levels would be limited to one short transfer window in January, and recruiting calendars would see significant changes.
For now, the sport waits until October to see how the Administrative Committee votes.
Reach Michael Hovey at sports@collegian.com or on social media @michaelfhovey.
