NCAA college football transfer portal: What is it, when it opens and how does it work?

As the college football season draws to a close, players' decisions about their futures are set to significantly shape the landscape of the sport.

Some players have already made their intentions clear, announcing their plans to enter the transfer portal. Several players, including Oklahoma starting quarterback Jackson Arnold and former UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka, have announced their intentions to continue their college careers at different schools.

The NCAA transfer portal, a pivotal platform for players seeking new opportunities, will officially open on Monday, Dec. 9. This marks the beginning of a period where players can explore and negotiate potential moves, with the portal closing on Dec. 28.

With the burgeoning influence of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, players are now factoring in these opportunities when deciding where to continue their college careers. This shift is expected to lead to a significant increase in the number of players entering the transfer portal over the next three weeks, reshaping the landscape of college football.

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When does the college football transfer portal open?

The winter NCAA transfer portal will officially open on Monday, Dec. 9 and will close on Saturday, Dec. 28 for the 2024-25 school year. When a player decides to enter the transfer portal, they must inform their university, which will then submit the necessary information within 48 hours.

How does the college football transfer portal work?

Once a player decides to enter the transfer portal and notifies the university, the school has 48 hours to report this information to an online database that lists athletes wishing to continue their careers elsewhere. Coaches from other programs can view the updates in real-time as the database is continuously refreshed with new information, allowing them to begin recruiting these players right away.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA college football transfer portal: What is it, how does it work?