McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

NCAA’s transfer portal hosts 1,400 athletes

Once the off season began for NCAA football, a total of 1,400 athletes have entered the transfer portal
REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Jerome Miron
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) and Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jakobe Thomas (8) lift the Cotton Bowl trophy after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Players on the Hurricanes are included in those impacted by the NCAA’s transfer portal.
Byline photo of Ffion Curtain
Ffion Curtain, Online Managing Editor
January 20, 2026

A college athlete is unhappy with their football team’s performance throughout the 2025-2026 season. Opening up their computer, they go to the NCAA website looking for information on how to transfer for a better career.

Beginning in Oct. of 2018, the NCAA opened an online database called the transfer portal for student-athletes seeking to transfer to a different school. In major college football, athletes may enter the portal during specific winter and spring transfer windows.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the winter window runs from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, while the NCAA eliminated the spring window.
This year so far, a total 4,500 student-athletes have entered the transfer portal, 68.89% of those athletes are from football programs.

In previous years, Division 1 schools would have their athletes have a conversation with their coach for permission to reach out to other schools. If they are denied, they could go to the athletic director and explain their case. If not accepted there, the athlete’s final step would be to go to a committee that consists of professionals on campus for an appeal.

If an athlete’s request gets accepted, they are able to contact the coaches and schedule visits to their desired schools.

“In Division I sports, student-athletes may transfer once to another four-year NCAA school and are eligible to compete immediately,” according to the NCAA. “Provided they are academically eligible and the previous school does not object, without sitting out a year in residence.”

This rule above doesn’t apply for baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football or men’s ice hockey. Student-athletes in those sports must file for a waiver to be able to compete without missing a season.
Out of the 1,400 athletes who play college football that are currently in the portal, the top five commits are:

  • Sam Leavitt (QB) transferred from Arizona State to Louisiana State
  • Brendan Sorsby (QB) transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech
  • Drew Mestemaker (QB) transferred from North Texas to Oklahoma State
  • Cam Coleman (WR) transferred from Auburn to Texas
  • Chaz Coleman (EDGE) transferred from Penn State to Tennessee

As student-athletes are entering and leaving the portal, they hope to have a successful career at their new school.