Understanding the Transfer Portal: A Guide to How It Functions in College Sports

The Transfer Portal Era: A New Norm in College Athletics

In the world of college athletics, the transfer portal has become a game-changer. No longer are athletes bound by the restrictions of sitting out a season after transferring schools. Thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey of northern West Virginia, college athletes can now play immediately after transferring a second time.

But how exactly does the transfer portal work? Established in the Fall of 2018, the transfer portal is an NCAA application database where student-athletes are entered by a compliance administrator or designee. This serves as the first step in the notification of transfer and allows coaches and other schools to contact the players.

The rules surrounding the transfer portal have evolved over the years. In 2021, a rule change allowed players who transferred to be eligible immediately. And in 2024, new rules were adopted by the Division I Council, allowing student-athletes who meet certain academic eligibility requirements to be immediately eligible at their new school after transferring, even if they had done so previously.

With these changes, the transfer portal has seen a flurry of activity. Notable players like Dillon Gabriel, Alan Bowman, and Hailey Van Lith have all made moves to new schools, shaking up the college sports landscape. And with the ability for student-athletes to enter the portal during specific transfer windows, the possibilities are endless.

As the transfer portal continues to shape the future of college athletics, one thing is clear: the era of unrestricted player movement is here to stay. And with each new transfer, the landscape of college sports is forever changed.