NCAA FBS Proposes Shorter Transfer Window and New Offseason Workouts
The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee unveiled a plan to shorten the transfer portal notification window to a 10-day span starting the first business day after January 1 (opening the Monday after CFP quarterfinals) from the current January 2–16 window. It also proposes OTA-style offseason workouts: two practice periods totaling 21 on-field practices with each period capped at seven weeks and no period exceeding five weeks, plus a minimum of nine voluntary weeks when activities aren’t allowed. The preseason would permit 21 practices in a 27-day window, lowering total practice days by four due to additional spring/summer opportunities. If approved in August, these changes would take effect January 1, 2027. The 2026 cycle was the first without a spring window; exceptions exist for coaching changes, and other calendar shifts (including a Week 0 start proposal) are under consideration with Cabinet review ongoing.
