D1 Council proposal would allow players to transfer more than once without sitting out

On Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Council endorsed a number of proposals that would further change the transfer landscape in college athletics.

Among the proposals would be eliminating the “one-time” piece of existing transfer requirements, allowing student-athletes to transfer more than once without having to sit out a year.

In addition, the D1 Council is also recommending two transfer windows, one at the end of the season and one in the spring.

In fall sports (football), athletes would be required to give notice that they intend to transfer within 45 days of “championship selection,” or bowl game announcements, or from May 1-15 in order to be eligible to play the following season. For winter and spring sports, athletes would need to provide written notification of transfer within 60 days of NCAA championship selections (i.e., announcement of the NCAA Tournament field).

Under the current system, winter sport athletes and football players can enter the transfer portal any time before May 1 and spring sport athletes any time before July 1 to play the next season. According to the NCAA, “reasonable accommodation” will be made for participants in the College Football Playoff.

The window would be only for entry. Athletes would not be required to commit to a new school within that window.

The concept of transfer windows is something coaches across the sport have been calling for of late. The promise of immediate eligibility has led to a huge increase in the flow of players into the transfer portal. According to 247Sports, a record 2,647 FBS football players entered the transfer portal a year ago. The current cycle, which will reset on Aug. 1, is expected to break that record.

The D1 Council also recommended a requirement that schools be required to provide financial aid to the student-athlete through the completion of the student’s five-year period of eligibility or undergraduate graduation unless the student transfers again or enters a professional draft.

The proposals will be voted on next month by the Division I Board of Directors.