Spring practices are starting to wrap up at college football programs across the country, which means another checkpoint in the lead up to the 2025 season is upon us.
With teams getting a first look at their new rosters with early enrollees, winter transfers and departing players, the spring transfer portal is set to open. Teams will be looking to upgrade a few key positions determined by what they saw in camp, whereas players might be looking for greener pastures as they seek more playing time or a chance at a jump to a higher level.
More money could be another obvious reason, as well.
Programs are putting more money than ever into recruiting and transfer portal resources, as numerous power teams are starting to build out NFL-like front offices to fit in with the times of the ever-changing sport.
The spring transfer portal window is shorter than in year’s past in hopes of teams having more roster continuity from season to season.
Here’s everything to know of the spring transfer portal in 2025, which is a football-only window:
When does spring transfer portal open?
The spring transfer portal opens on Wednesday, April 16, and closes on Friday, April 25.
Players must officially enter the portal on one of the days inside the window to be eligible to play at their next school for the 2025 season. NCAA rules don’t restrict players on when they can transfer, however, if a player officially enters outside either the winter or spring windows, or outside a team-specific window that opens when a head coach leaves, they must sit out a season of competition. Graduate students can enter the transfer portal at any time.
Players don’t have to commit or sign during the window, but they must officially enter the transfer portal.
The winter and spring transfer portal windows were shortened by a combined 15 days ahead of the 2025 season. The move hopes to limit roster uncertainty as a push from coaches, with 3,309 players entering their names in 2024, according to On3.
Nico Iamaleava transfer portal
Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava is set to be one of the top players available in the transfer portal, as the Vols announced prior to its spring practice festivities open to fans that Iamaleava would not be returning to the team for next season.
Iamaleava was reportedly skipping practice in hopes of re-negotiating his NIL deal with Tennessee, which prompted the Vols and coach Josh Heupel to cut ties with the former five-star quarterback.
Most high-major programs have already figured out their quarterback situations, so there might not be a long list of obvious suitors for Iamaleava. ESPN reported Iamaleava was seeking $4 million from Tennessee, so whoever does land Iamaleava is expected to offer a strong commitment to the redshirt sophomore signal caller.
College football transfer portal windows 2025
Here are the transfer portal windows leading into the 2025 season:
- Winter transfer portal window: Dec. 9, 2024-Dec. 28, 2024
- Spring transfer portal window: April 16, 2025-April 25, 2025
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 spring transfer portal dates for college football window