The SEC’s intraconference transfer rules will indeed apply to both Oklahoma and Texas.
Outgoing players from Oklahoma and Texas who enter the transfer portal this spring won’t immediately qualify if they transfer to an SEC school, as confirmed by an SEC spokesperson to 247Sports. The SEC’s regulations limit intraconference transfers in football to athletes who entered during the NCAA’s winter transfer portal window, which occurred from Dec. 4 to Jan. 2. Players from SEC schools who enter outside of these dates, unless exempted by the NCAA for postseason play or a head coaching change, wouldn’t be eligible for the upcoming season if they opt to transfer to another school within the league.
Since Oklahoma and Texas will become SEC members in 2024, these same rules will apply to them. Consequently, players from Oklahoma and Texas are constrained in transferring to SEC institutions, while players leaving SEC programs are less inclined to choose the Sooners or Longhorns.
This presents a significant twist to the dynamics of the spring transfer portal window. Last spring, Oklahoma benefited from intraconference transfers by adding Da’Jon Terry from Tennessee and Brenen Thompson from Texas. On the other hand, Texas has capitalized on former SEC players in the portal, securing notable transfers like Isaiah Bond (from Alabama), Amari Niblack (from Alabama), and AD Mitchell (from Georgia) in recent years.
However, both schools will now be limited in adding SEC players this spring, while current SEC teams will also face restrictions in acquiring departing players from Oklahoma and Texas. This restriction adds complexity to transfer decisions and could reshape the landscape of roster movements in the upcoming transfer cycle.
What is the NCAA transfer portal?
The portal serves as an online platform where players can enter their name if they intend to transfer to another school. Players inform their current school’s compliance office of their decision to enter the portal, and usually, their names appear in the database within 48 hours. Coaches have access to this database and can reach out to any player who has entered it, facilitating communication between interested parties during the transfer process.
When will the transfer portal open?
College football features two transfer windows: one after the regular season and another following spring practice. The spring transfer portal window is set to open on April 16 and will continue until April 30. Graduate transfers are permitted to enter the portal at any time. Additionally, players on a team whose head coach departs are granted an exception. In such cases, a 30-day transfer window is initiated for the roster, allowing players to explore their options for transferring to other programs.
Is a player forced to leave his school after entering the portal?
You’re absolutely right. While players do enter the transfer portal to explore their options, many end up withdrawing their names and staying with their current programs. However, the decision to enter the portal often indicates some level of discontent either from the player’s perspective or the program’s. It’s true that most players who enter the portal ultimately don’t return to their previous school, and they may be removed from the team shortly after entering.