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MCKINNEY, TEXAS - DECEMBER 16: A football is seen on the field during the game between the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers and the Harding Bisons during the Division II Football Championship held at McKinney ISD Stadium on December 16, 2023 in McKinney, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Media Center Greg Johnson

DI football oversight committees propose one transfer window

Recommendation goes to the Division I Council for approval in October

The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committees recommended that the notification-of-transfer window in the sport be modified to one 30-day window.

Under the proposal, the window would open the Monday after FBS conference championship games and would close in early January. The window for football student-athletes to enter the Transfer Portal during the 2024-25 academic year would be Dec. 9-Jan. 7.

The proposal does not impact the five-day exception for student-athletes competing in FBS and FCS postseason games. In those scenarios, the notification-of-transfer window would also be open for five consecutive days after that team's last game. 

The Division I Council, which will meet in October, must adopt the proposal for it to become effective. 

Currently, Division I football student-athletes have 45 days when they can enter the Transfer Portal. The first window is a 30-day notification-of-transfer window that begins the Monday after the FBS conference championship games. There is also a 15-day notification-of-transfer window April 15-30. 

The recommended change to a 30 consecutive day window allows schools and student-athletes to engage in conversations about future academic and athletics opportunities before the start of the spring academic terms.

Data from the 2024-25 academic year showed that many football student-athletes made the decision to transfer after the end of the fall football season. Further, participation in spring football is typically seen as preparatory for the subsequent season; therefore, focusing on a fall notification-of-transfer window is expected to promote roster stability for student-athletes and their programs.

Blanket waiver exempts postseason participation

The Division I FBS and FCS Oversight Committees approved a blanket waiver for the upcoming season that excludes postseason participation (conference championship game, bowl game, FCS tournament and College Football Playoff games) from the limit of four contests a football student-athlete may participate in without using a season of competition.

Rationale for approval includes the recent adoption of the notification-of-transfer window and the necessity of accelerated discussions and decisions for student-athletes and coaches regarding future participation opportunities and the potential impact of student-athletes opting out of participation in postseason competition.

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