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College football transfer portal opens Tuesday: What you need to know

2 weeks ago
College football transfer portal opens Tuesday: What you need to know

College football’s 15-day transfer window is open, and players have until April 30 to enter the portal. It doesn’t mean they have to find their new schools by then — or that they can’t return to their previous schools — but they have 15 days to decide whether they want to be in the portal.

During the first week of the winter transfer period,

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    Does that mean we’re in for a wild two weeks? Not necessarily. However, high-profile programs such as Alabama, Michigan and Washington changed coaches and did not get to address all of their roster needs. Or maybe Colorado will have another total spring overhaul.

    Who’s next to enter the portal? We’re tracking notable players entering (and exiting) the portal, with the latest news and updates on how the 2024 season could be transformed:

    Player news

    While players can’t officially enter the transfer portal until Tuesday, a few players have announced their intentions to transfer:

    Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith

    Lambert-Smith, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season, entered the transfer portal Monday as a graduate student.

    Lambert-Smith, who recorded 53 receptions for 673 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, had not been with the team late in spring practice. Coach James Franklin, asked after Saturday’s Blue-White Game about Lambert-Smith’s status, said he would answer questions regarding “any of the guys that played in the game today and are in the locker room.”

    Running back Rashad Amos to Mississippi State

    Amos started his career at South Carolina before transferring to Miami (Ohio). He registered 1,075 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the RedHawks. He will now, according to On3, return to SEC country.

    Arkansas offensive tackle Andrew Chamblee

    Chamblee, a freshman, is expected to enter the portal when it opens, according to Pete Nakos of On3. Chamblee was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022, ranking No. 239 in the ESPN 300. He redshirted in 2022 and started eight games last season.

    Florida State cornerback Greedy Vance

    Vance, a junior, started five games in 2023 and appeared in all 14 games for the Seminoles. He began his career at Louisville and had four career interceptions during his time at FSU. Vance’s decision to enter the portal was first reported by Hayes Fawcett of On3.

    Oregon State running back Damien Martinez

    Martinez finished second in the Pac-12 with 1,185 rushing yards and had nine touchdowns on 194 carries in 2023. He was set to make more than $400,000 in name, image and likeness deals to remain at Oregon State, a source told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

    USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander

    Sources told ESPN on Tuesday that Alexander was planning to transfer from USC a season after going to the Trojans from Georgia.

    A day later, Alexander announced he was saying at USC.

    Alexander finished the 2023 season with 47 tackles, 6.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He started 12 of 13 games and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

    Rule change on the way?

    The NCAA Division I Council could adopt emergency legislation this month for a new transfer rule that would allow all undergraduate athletes to transfer and play immediately if they meet specific academic requirements, a source confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

    The proposed legislation, which was first reported by The Athletic, would not limit the number of times an athlete can transfer. Athletes would still have two transfer windows and wouldn’t be able to transfer midyear and play for a second school in the same season.