**Big Drama: College Football Summer Transfer Portal Closing July 20 – What It Means for Teams and Players**

**Big Drama: College Football Summer Transfer Portal Closing July 20 – What It Means for Teams and Players**

According to ESPN and official NCAA sources, the college football summer transfer portal window is set to **close on July 20**, creating significant buzz and tension across the sport. While this summer window is expected to produce only limited high-profile moves, the implications for both programs and players are notable. This closing date marks a hard deadline for players hoping to transfer and still be eligible to play in the 2025 season.

The NCAA opened a special transfer period running from **July 7 to August 5**, but the key date to focus on is **July 20**—the final day athletes can officially enter the portal and still be eligible for immediate play in the upcoming season. After this, any player who transfers without a waiver will have to sit out the year. This late portal access was granted as a one-time exception to allow schools more roster flexibility heading into fall camp, especially for walk-ons or less-utilized scholarship players.

However, most Power Four teams, including programs from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC, are not expecting significant roster changes during this period. Staffers suggest the majority of portal entries will likely be lower-profile players looking for new opportunities after being buried on depth charts. Still, the drama surrounding the portal deadline is very real—especially for fringe players hoping to find a better fit before the season begins.

From a coaching perspective, this window gives staffs a last-minute opportunity to address injury-related gaps or make tough roster decisions. With the final 85-man scholarship count looming, programs can decide which players to keep and which ones to allow to move on. It also offers teams the chance to add experienced depth or let go of players who may not fit their current system.

For players, especially those not in starting roles, this is a chance to seek more playing time or a system better suited to their skills. Missing the July 20 cutoff could mean sitting out the season or having to appeal for a special waiver—something that’s not guaranteed to be granted. For many, it’s a now-or-never situation, which adds urgency and pressure.

Graduate transfers still retain a bit more flexibility in some cases, but even they now face more structured windows compared to years past. In fact, the NCAA has tightened rules overall to bring more order to the previously chaotic transfer scene. This summer period is being closely watched to see how effective it is in balancing player mobility with roster stability.

In the bigger picture, the July 20 deadline isn’t likely to spark massive changes, but it does close the door on any last-minute shakeups before fall practices begin. It forces both coaches and players to commit—to a system, a role, and a future. While we may not see star quarterbacks or All-Americans move in this short window, the decisions made during it could still quietly shape the depth and dynamics of key teams heading into the 2025 season.