What will the 2025 college football transfer portal look like when it opens on Monday, Dec. 9?
“It’s an absolute show,” one Big Ten general manager said.
Honestly, what else is new?
This cycle is becoming more wild and unpredictable than ever before.
First of all, this is the first full cycle in which all college football players, from freshmen to graduates, can transfer without restrictions during the portal period. And what about school? They are trying to budget and sign players based on expected revenue sharing amounts that are still up in the air. The program is working on an estimated budget of more than $12 million, pending final approval of the House settlement, a multibillion-dollar agreement between the NCAA and former players, expected in April.
The settlement also shakes things up, including increasing scholarship caps (from 85 to 105) and reducing overall roster size (from 120 to 105).
But don’t expect it to slow down the player. Last cycle, more than 3,800 FBS players entered the portal, and we could see a similar wave this year as teams reshape their rosters.
Portals are no longer just a fad, they’re a blueprint for building a competitive roster. Every Power Four program except Clemson had at least four transfers last year, and more than half had nine or more transfers.
So how is the team preparing?
247Sports spoke to 10 anonymous player personnel directors, scouting directors and general managers across the FBS (eight from the Power 4) to get the inside scoop on how programs are tackling this chaotic cycle. , 2 people in Group 5).
These staff spoke candidly on condition of anonymity, offering an unfiltered look at the transfer market and the challenges ahead. I gave them nicknames from number 1 to number 10.
Their insights cover everything from overcoming revenue distribution uncertainty to predicting the next move in the quarterback market. You can read the full study on 247Sports. Currently offering 75% off annual subscriptions through December 2nd, here’s a sneak peek into their thoughts on the increasingly polarized QB market. In recent years, I have been running and missing. Currently, the transfer of the ace QB is not on the market. Currently, the highest-rated players are Matthew Sulka (UNLV) and Tomas Castellanos (Boston College). Ratings for each sport are in the high 80s, meaning they will likely fall outside of top-25 territory for quarterback transfers by the time the cycle fully matures.
(Note: Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.)
What will happen to the QB market?
FBS Staff 2: “I think it’s very depressed. Part of it has to do with coming out of the COVID era. There aren’t that many sixth-year starters anymore.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s going to be a little bit down this year. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that most of the starting quarterbacks have already moved on and people are getting a little tired of it. I can’t.”
FBS Staff 3: “Due to the lack of super seniors, there will likely be fewer one-year fix-up strategies at that position. You may not have that veteran in the portal, so take a high school signee at QB, It’s going to be more important to develop “ to bail out the redshirt sophomore if he’s not ready to play yet. ”
FBS Staff 4: “I think this year is going to be crazy. The demand is there. I think it’s going to be insane. I think it’s going to be a year where we’re like, ‘Oh my God.'” Uh, people are going sideways. It’s starting to move, what’s going on?
“I think it’s going to be chaotic. There’s going to be some moves that don’t seem to make any sense at all. … If we gain a guy, are we going to lose the rest of the room? How do we play that?”
FBS Staff 5: “I think a lot of them are Group of 5 guys. Look at (John) Mattia at Washington State. He sat behind Cam Ward.
“Nobody really knew about him, you know? Other than Washington State. Now he’s playing and playing really well. He’s improved in a year or two and really He’s playing well. He might stay at Washington State. But what else?
“I don’t mean to be condescending or anything, but I think it’s going to be like a farm system for a quarterback, not totally sure if he’s going to go to the University of South Alabama coming out of high school. The have-nots: If Louisiana Tech grows up and does a good job, schools that didn’t get a proper quarterback out of high school or had a gap year will try to get those players. Dew.”
FBS Staff 6: “Schools can estimate rev share amounts so they can keep their top players at quarterback. If you have an elite player, you can’t lose kids for $200,000 or $300,000. “Hey, you’re using your revenue share to keep him. ”
FBS Staff 7: “I think it’s still going to be tough, just like the draft. Everyone is going to value the position. But with revenue sharing and the NIL, people are going to value the position even more. .”
FBS Staff 9: “It’s going to be the same as before. There will be some headliners and some people will be moving around. I don’t know if there will be as many schools using the portal market, but I… I think more schools will continue to use it.” That’s a fair amount of flops. ”
FBS Staff 10: “I think there are going to be some good players, but I don’t know how many players are guaranteed to enter the portal. I think some people have to bet on atypical players and players” on starting snaps. People who don’t have it. ”
more: John Mattia remembers the first time he was snubbed, if you want any clues about his future
