FBS Oversight Committee proposes changes to notification-of- transfer window

The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday recommended legislative changes to the football recruiting calendar, including a modification to the notification-of-transfer windows.

The Division I Administrative Committee must approve the legislative changes before it can take effect. The vote is expected to occur before Oct. 1.

Under the recommendation, undergraduate and postgraduate FBS student-athletes could enter the Transfer Portal between Jan. 2-11. 

This 10-day notification-of-transfer window would replace the current structure, in which football student-athletes may initiate notification during a 20-day period in December and a 10-day period in April.

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.

Another part of the recommendation would make the entire month of December a recruiting dead period (in which coaches can call, write, text or email prospects and their families but no on- or off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may occur).

Jan. 5-31 would remain a recruiting period, when coaches can have contact with or evaluate prospects. 

The recommendation does not change the existing quiet and dead periods during the American Football Coaches Association convention (e.g., Jan. 11-14, 2026). 

The oversight committee also recommended a modification to the first date when prospective football student-athletes 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 recommendation would change the first date for written offers to Nov. 15 of the prospect's senior year in high school.

It also would extend the contact prohibition that currently applies once an individual signs a school's written financial aid agreement to also apply once an individual signs a written offer of settlement-related benefits. The contact prohibition means no other school is allowed to contact the individual.