The December transfer portal window in college football is under scrutiny as coaches grapple with roster uncertainty during the postseason. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is among those calling for the window to be eliminated entirely, arguing it forces players into difficult decisions at the worst possible time.
Conflict Between Playoffs and Portal
Speaking before SMU’s College Football Playoff matchup against Penn State, Lashlee highlighted the challenge of preparing for high-stakes games while the transfer portal looms. “It’s sad. It’s terrible,” he said. “There’s no other sport at all that has free agency in the season.”
The portal officially opened on December 9 and closes December 28, leaving a small window for players to enter. Those on teams that make the CFP have just five days after their season ends. This compressed timeline effectively forces athletes to choose between exploring transfer opportunities and staying committed to their current squad’s championship pursuit.
Backup QBs in the Spotlight
The portal’s impact is especially evident at the quarterback position. Penn State’s backup QB Beau Pribula opted to enter the portal ahead of the playoffs, a decision his coach called unacceptable. “He shouldn’t have to make that decision,” Lashlee said. In contrast, SMU backup Preston Stone chose to stick with the Mustangs through the postseason despite losing his starting job earlier in the year.
“We’re working with him, but it’s still a juggling act.”
– Rhett Lashlee on managing the portal’s impact
An “Easy Answer” and Shifting the Calendar
For Lashlee, the solution is straightforward – get rid of the December window entirely. “That’s the real easy answer, and it solves all the problems,” he said. The SMU coach suggested moving any transfer activity to the spring, possibly in an NFL-style model where free agency follows the end of the season and coincides with spring practices.
This schedule shift could relieve the pressure on athletes and create a more stable environment for postseason preparation. As Lashlee sees it, “It doesn’t make sense” to have academic-based transfers in the middle of the school year either.
Unintended Consequences and Necessary Reforms
While measures like the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) rights aim to benefit players, many coaches feel the current system has serious flaws. Lashlee argued that changes have been made haphazardly without considering long-term effects on student-athletes.
“We haven’t [made a system that’s great for players]. That’s part of your job as adults, is do what’s best for young people, not what they want necessarily.”
– Rhett Lashlee
As the college football world grapples with an evolving landscape, calls to reform the December portal window are likely to grow louder. Coaches, administrators and players will need to work together on solutions that enhance opportunity and fairness without compromising competition. For now, those in the playoff hunt must navigate the portal’s challenges as they chase championships.
