2026 Transfer Portal - General

[GoIrish41]

Jaylen Mbakwe in the Portal after his freshman year at Alabama where he played DB before switching to WR. 100% yes please on that kid's upside, regardless of what side of the ball he wants to play on. ND recruited him out of high school, I'd be curious to see if they're interested in circling back for another look... 3 years of eligibility remaining. Was the composite #12 player nationally coming out of high school last year.

100%

 

[SeekNDestroy]

the NCAA or somebody needs to step in and make the transfer rule like it was where if you aren't a graduate then you have to sit out a year and maybe that would end this transfer portal madness

The NCAA has proven to be completely impotent, so it would probably require an Act of Congress. Until then, it’s the Wild West.

 

[Irishdawg]

The NCAA has proven to be completely impotent, so it would probably require an Act of Congress. Until then, it’s the Wild West.

Agreed, then whatever congress does is probably going to get brought up to the Supreme Court, so limiting transfers may be tough.

 

[SDIrishFan]

the NCAA or somebody needs to step in and make the transfer rule like it was where if you aren't a graduate then you have to sit out a year and maybe that would end this transfer portal madness

I could see going to something like 1 free transfer (plus if their coach leaves). Beyond that, you sit a year.

That said, there should be restrictions on what coaches do too if you’re going to “punish” the players for moving on.

Or just move on to full on contracts and free agency.

 

[smw6230]

I could see going to something like 1 free transfer (plus if their coach leaves). Beyond that, you sit a year.

That said, there should be restrictions on what coaches do too if you’re going to “punish” the players for moving on.

Or just move on to full on contracts and free agency.

You're never going to be legally able to impose any of this without a CBA. The courts have clearly said that they won't tolerate arbitrary rules that restrict the market.

 

[PolishDomer]

God, at this point who the hell ISN'T in the portal?

Ty Chan...

 

[ozzman]

 

[IrishinSyria]

God, at this point who the hell ISN'T in the portal?

Almost everyone we want back, so there’s that.

 

[stlnd01]

Almost everyone we want back, so there’s that.

Important thing to remember when it feels like Christmas Morning for the Portal Programs.
We already have one of the strongest and deepest rosters in college football, and a whole fleet of talented youngsters ready to step into bigger roles. I'll take our current guys - in their second, third, fourth year in the program - over so many of the one-year-rentals who'll make a big splash in the next couple of weeks. We're just filling out the edges here, and dealing from a position of strength. Which means we can be choosy, and put our money where our needs are.

 

[irishff1014]

Good take the money. Go join a shitty team that can’t play or win.

 

[stlnd01]

Good take the money. Go join a shitty team that can’t play or win.

If I understand this, Kentucky and Arizona State are basically trading QBs.
The one going to Kentucky - who is certainly solid but no superstar - will make more than most NFL draft picks to go 7-5 next year. Good for him.
The one going to Arizona State - who was just named to the SEC All-Freshman team - presumably is making less than ~$6 million, which means Arizona State will have money for good players around him too. He also has a vastly better chance of competing for and maybe making the CFP, which is how quarterbacks make a name for themselves now.
I think Arizona State wins this round.

 

[Huntr]

I can't believe Leavitt is actually going to UK. What a waste.

Texas Tech needs a QB, Miami needs a QB, Iowa. Shoot, if Chandler Morris doesn't get another year, he could go to UVA and start for the ACC favorite, tho IDK what they would be willing to pay.

All 4 of those could/will contend for a CFP spot.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Its why this version of cfb needs to be blown up. Pay people, no problem from me. But this game of musical chairs isnt good for anything except bank accounts.

 

[RudyVerse]

Its why this version of cfb needs to be blown up. Pay people, no problem from me. But this game of musical chairs isnt good for anything except bank accounts.

NIL or portal, but never both. It’s as simple as that.

 

[irishff1014]

I can't believe Leavitt is actually going to UK. What a waste.

Texas Tech needs a QB, Miami needs a QB, Iowa. Shoot, if Chandler Morris doesn't get another year, he could go to UVA and start for the ACC favorite, tho IDK what they would be willing to pay.

All 4 of those could/will contend for a CFP spot.

That’s when you know it’s about the 💰

 

[SoIll]

I can't believe Leavitt is actually going to UK. What a waste.

Texas Tech needs a QB, Miami needs a QB, Iowa. Shoot, if Chandler Morris doesn't get another year, he could go to UVA and start for the ACC favorite, tho IDK what they would be willing to pay.

All 4 of those could/will contend for a CFP spot.

Cuz he’s not…

 

[IrishInOntario]

Its why this version of cfb needs to be blown up. Pay people, no problem from me. But this game of musical chairs isnt good for anything except bank accounts.

We need to evolve into multi-year, binding contracts from Rev Share, with unlimited NIL opportunities in the way that pro players have access to them via sponsorship and marketing deals driven by the market.

It would function much closer to a pro format, which isn't exactly what I'd prefer to replicate, but it would at least eliminate some of the chaos.

Personnally, I think that all contracts coming out of high school should be a minimum of 2 years in length, carrying through a player's sophomore season. This is based on my years of playing and coaching college football, where a lot of kids are homesick after their freshman year and are dealing with the tough transition from being "the man", to barely playing. A lot of guys that gut it out wind up fitting in, finding a role and being much happier in year 2. If they're not, per the rule change I'm suggesting, they ciuld then transfer at the conclusion of year 2. I also think that a player should be limited to a one time transfer rule prior to graduation, opening a second transfer opportunity post undergrad, for those pursuing a graduate degree.

I don't want to eliminate a student athlete's right to mobility or to make money, but we need some binding, enforceable rules.

 

[NDMatt91]

Isn't Leavitt heading to Texas Tech for a visit?

 

[Huntr]

We need to evolve into multi-year, binding contracts from Rev Share, with unlimited NIL opportunities in the way that pro players have access to them via sponsorship and marketing deals driven my market.

Making binding, multi-year contracts means a portion of your roster spots are now locked up by poorer-performing players and you have no ability to trade up. We just spent the last few days watching similar players from ND enter the portal, having presumably been aided in that making that decision by reductions in NIL.

Why would any school want that?

 

[SoIll]

Isn't Leavitt heading to Texas Tech for a visit?

Yes. People are referencing trolls on Twitter again and taking it as gospel

 

[notredomer23]

Burnham was at IU this past weekend. SIAP

 

[IrishInOntario]

Making binding, multi-year contracts means a portion of your roster spots are now locked up by poorer-performing players and you have no ability to trade up. We just spent the last few days watching similar players from ND enter the portal, having presumably been aided in that making that decision by reductions in NIL.

Why would any school want that?

Because in order to facilitate positive change, there has to be compromise. In a multi-year (minimum of 2 year) contracting period, teams would be forced to be more judicious and careful with their evaluations. They'd still have an opportunity to turnover a portion of their roster each year and you'd have a portion of your roster on expiring contracts. It would guarantee better program stability in that you could count on having a player to build up and build around for a minimum 2 years, but you'd also have that player locked onto your roster for that length of contract. Negotiation rarely leads to perfection for both sides. That's part of the sport.

 

[Dale]

2026 schedule update:

 

[stlnd01]

Making binding, multi-year contracts means a portion of your roster spots are now locked up by poorer-performing players and you have no ability to trade up. We just spent the last few days watching similar players from ND enter the portal, having presumably been aided in that making that decision by reductions in NIL.

Why would any school want that?

Because we're talking about 19-year-olds who are far from a finished product. A lot of guys develop a ton between their senior year of high school and their sophomore year of college, and if you as a coaching staff don't think you can develop them, maybe don't offer them to begin with. College football functioned basically this way for decades and it was fine.

And if you counter with "well it's effectively a pro sport now," every pro sport runs on binding, multi-year contracts. Only modern college football has this completely wild west approach. It's not really sustainable and aside I guess from a small handful of players at the top of the transfer market, I'm not really clear who it's helping.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Burnham was at IU this past weekend. SIAP

Would definitely be a good fit for him. ND connections there. Similar environment in a lot of ways. A quick and easy move. I think he'd have a genuine chance if thriving their in a starting role and further developing into a quality 4th'ish round NFL Draft pick.

Best of luck on your decision Josh!

 

[Huntr]

Because in order to facilitate positive change, there has to be compromise. In a multi-year (minimum of 2 year) contracting period, teams would be forced to be more judicious and careful with their evaluations. They'd still have an opportunity to turnover a portion of their roster each year and you'd have a portion of your roster on expiring contracts. It would guarantee better program stability in that you could count on having a player to build up and build around for a minimum 2 years, but you'd also have that player locked onto your roster for that length of contract.

Which school wants that, tho? They don't want "positive change." They want to have their cake and eat it, too.

College football functioned basically this way for decades and it was fine.

Yes, yes. Management *loves* it when labor has no agency.



Fans piss and moan because players leave their team. Do you *really* give a fuck if Sam Leavitt goes to Kentucky? I don't. I think he's dumb, not for leaving AState, but for the fact he prob has better opportunities elsewhere. But, who cares.

I could not care less if shit players transfer from ND. If a good player does, then ND should have been better at working to keep him. Burnham is a great example. I was hoping to see what he could do this fall, but he's leaving. I don't blame him. ND and it's boosters are worth billions, Burnham, presumably, is not. Pay him more or watch him leave. ND's choice.

Is anyone upset when ND takes players from the portal? Fuck no they're not. Pissing and moaning about the portal is hypocritical.

People cry the sport is dying, as millions watch regular season and bowl games and playoff games, as we spend an inordinate amount of time talking about college football on message boards and social media, as media rights contracts explode into infinity. Matt fucking Fortuna is paid actual money to talk about college football because he can line up enough lobotomy patients to consume his bullshit. If that is "dying," then kill me now.

 

[dublinirish]

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[ozzman]

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Mom will fit right in with the coeds

 

[dublinirish]

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[Ndaccountant]

Which school wants that, tho? They don't want "positive change." They want to have their cake and eat it, too.



Yes, yes. Management *loves* it when labor has no agency.



Fans piss and moan because players leave their team. Do you *really* give a fuck if Sam Leavitt goes to Kentucky? I don't. I think he's dumb, not for leaving AState, but for the fact he prob has better opportunities elsewhere. But, who cares.

I could not care less if shit players transfer from ND. If a good player does, then ND should have been better at working to keep him. Burnham is a great example. I was hoping to see what he could do this fall, but he's leaving. I don't blame him. ND and it's boosters are worth billions, Burnham, presumably, is not. Pay him more or watch him leave. ND's choice.

Is anyone upset when ND takes players from the portal? Fuck no they're not. Pissing and moaning about the portal is hypocritical.

People cry the sport is dying, as millions watch regular season and bowl games and playoff games, as we spend an inordinate amount of time talking about college football on message boards and social media, as media rights contracts explode into infinity. Matt fucking Fortuna is paid actual money to talk about college football because he can line up enough lobotomy patients to consume his bullshit. If that is "dying," then kill me now.

I think the bigger thing for me is that there needs to be consequences. Enforceable salary cap is the likely answer, along with the openness to multiyear contracts.

CFB was always the AAA farm system to the NFL. But with MLB, the players are under control of one organization. What is happening is that the top tier of CFB is the defacto organization and is pillaging less financially meaningful teams, call it AA, and those schools in return are going after the A teams, etc.

I believe in the fairness of both teams and individual. If a player wants to move from MAC starter to Big 12 starter, all for it. So long as the understanding was that he was free to do so contractually.

As a ND fan, this is churn that really doesnt impact them other than the freshman that wants paid more is willing to bet on himself at a lower school and be called back up later. Honestly dime a dozen.

But those kids are not likely to turn into a NFL prospect. But enabled by a perpetual free agent system and greed (player, schools, media, etc.) This player can end up at 3 different schools thinking that a few hundred thousand in the bank is their insurance policy. But once out of that system, they realize they were they pawn and the immense benefits that come with being a scholarship athlete at one school was squandered.

We need fairness in the system, looking out for the young athletes. We think paying them solves it, but I think that is creating different problems that in sum total, may not be worth it for the players.