College football’s spring transfer portal window is set to open on Wednesday, which will bring some expected chaos as teams try to limit the damage of roster losses.
SEC teams, at least, can feel safe about losing players to conference foes due to the league’s bylaws. The SEC prohibits players from transferring to another team inside the conference during the spring transfer portal window and receive immediate eligibility.
That rule applies for all players, including graduate transfers, who are normally allowed to enter the transfer portal at any time without losing eligibility.
There were plenty of instances where players transferred inside the conference during the winter transfer portal, as the rule only applies for the spring portal window. Here’s everything to know of the SEC’s spring transfer portal rules, which aims to restrict poaching within the conference:
SEC spring transfer portal rules
The SEC restricts players from transferring from one conference school to another during the spring transfer portal, not allowing players to gain immediate eligibility if they decide to make the move.
If, for example, a player from Ole Miss wants to transfer to Mississippi State, they must do so in the regular winter transfer portal window, rather than the spring. The rule aims to promote roster continuity and keep players from being poached from another school, as the spring window opens after spring practices conclude, with teams starting to get an idea of positional needs after getting their first look at their new rosters.
Here’s the full wording from Rule 14.5.5.1 (Transferring Within the Southeastern Conference) in the conference’s bylaws:
“A transfer student, including a graduate transfer, from a member institution may be eligible for intercollegiate competition during the individual’s initial academic year in residence at another member institution provided the student provides written notification of transfer to the institution within their sport’s regular NCAA transfer window immediately following the sport’s championship segment.” (Emphasis USA TODAY Sports Network).
The window to which the SEC refers is known as the winter transfer portal window, which opened Dec. 9, 2024 and closed Dec. 28, 2024. That said, exceptions are made for players on teams competing in the College Football Playoff.
Another exception to the SEC’s ban of intra-conference transfers during the spring portal occurs when a head coach leaves the team of the respective student-athlete. Per Rule 14.5.5.1.1 (Exception — Head Coach Departure):
“A student-athlete may initiate notification of transfer during a 30 consecutive-day period beginning the day after the head coach of the student-athlete’s team departs or announces departure from the institution.”
That was most evident in 2024, when long-time Alabama coach Nick Saban retired from coaching, allowing several players from within the conference to transfer to other destinations. Two notable examples include cornerback Dezz Ricks, who transferred to Texas A&M, and cornerback Trey Amos, who transferred to Ole Miss.
Can Nico Iamaleava transfer to an SEC school?
Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who’s set to enter the transfer portal this spring, can’t transfer to another SEC school inside the conference due league’s spring transfer portal rules.
Fans have thrown out the idea of Iamaleava transferring to Georgia, who’s set to have a first-year starting quarterback in either Gunner Stockton or Ryan Puglisi after Carson Beck transferred to Miami. Iamaleava would have to sit out the 2025 season to join another SEC program, however, which isn’t the most feasible option for one of the sport’s most talented quarterbacks.
The same goes for Tennessee, as the Vols can’t replace Iamaleava with another quarterback from the SEC.
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 Nashville Tennessean: SEC transfer portal rules: Why players can’t transfer in-conference
College football’s spring transfer portal window is set to open on Wednesday, which will bring some expected chaos as teams try to limit the damage of roster losses.
SEC teams, at least, can feel safe about losing players to conference foes due to the league’s bylaws. The SEC prohibits players from transferring to another team inside the conference during the spring transfer portal window and receive immediate eligibility.
That rule applies for all players, including graduate transfers, who are normally allowed to enter the transfer portal at any time without losing eligibility.
There were plenty of instances where players transferred inside the conference during the winter transfer portal, as the rule only applies for the spring portal window. Here’s everything to know of the SEC’s spring transfer portal rules, which aims to restrict poaching within the conference:
SEC spring transfer portal rules
The SEC restricts players from transferring from one conference school to another during the spring transfer portal, not allowing players to gain immediate eligibility if they decide to make the move.
If, for example, a player from Ole Miss wants to transfer to Mississippi State, they must do so in the regular winter transfer portal window, rather than the spring. The rule aims to promote roster continuity and keep players from being poached from another school, as the spring window opens after spring practices conclude, with teams starting to get an idea of positional needs after getting their first look at their new rosters.
Here’s the full wording from Rule 14.5.5.1 (Transferring Within the Southeastern Conference) in the conference’s bylaws:
“A transfer student, including a graduate transfer, from a member institution may be eligible for intercollegiate competition during the individual’s initial academic year in residence at another member institution provided the student provides written notification of transfer to the institution within their sport’s regular NCAA transfer window immediately following the sport’s championship segment.” (Emphasis USA TODAY Sports Network).
The window to which the SEC refers is known as the winter transfer portal window, which opened Dec. 9, 2024 and closed Dec. 28, 2024. That said, exceptions are made for players on teams competing in the College Football Playoff.
Another exception to the SEC’s ban of intra-conference transfers during the spring portal occurs when a head coach leaves the team of the respective student-athlete. Per Rule 14.5.5.1.1 (Exception — Head Coach Departure):
“A student-athlete may initiate notification of transfer during a 30 consecutive-day period beginning the day after the head coach of the student-athlete’s team departs or announces departure from the institution.”
That was most evident in 2024, when long-time Alabama coach Nick Saban retired from coaching, allowing several players from within the conference to transfer to other destinations. Two notable examples include cornerback Dezz Ricks, who transferred to Texas A&M, and cornerback Trey Amos, who transferred to Ole Miss.
Can Nico Iamaleava transfer to an SEC school?
Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who’s set to enter the transfer portal this spring, can’t transfer to another SEC school inside the conference due league’s spring transfer portal rules.
Fans have thrown out the idea of Iamaleava transferring to Georgia, who’s set to have a first-year starting quarterback in either Gunner Stockton or Ryan Puglisi after Carson Beck transferred to Miami. Iamaleava would have to sit out the 2025 season to join another SEC program, however, which isn’t the most feasible option for one of the sport’s most talented quarterbacks.
The same goes for Tennessee, as the Vols can’t replace Iamaleava with another quarterback from the SEC.
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 Nashville Tennessean: SEC transfer portal rules: Why players can’t transfer in-conference
