Why Alabama's Kalen DeBoer supports cutting transfer portal windows

Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer said Tuesday that he supports a proposal to eliminate one transfer portal entry window and shorten another. The move was passed unanimously by FBS coaches at the American Football Coaches Association’s recent convention, but must go through the Football Oversight Council and the NCAA’s Division I council before it actually becomes a rule.

The proposal would completely cut the spring window for undergraduate portal entry. It would also cut the postseason window from 20 to 10 days, and move it to January.

“I think a smaller window and one window would certainly be ideal,” DeBoer told reporters Tuesday in Mobile while attending a Senior Bowl practice. “And that’s just, more of an understanding of what your roster is gonna be at this time of the year is what we all, just taking the grey out of it, confusion out of it, for us, for our players on what’s ahead.”

As it currently stands, the 20-day entry window falls during December postseason bowl prep for many teams. Players get a short extra window following the conclusion of their seasons.

Alabama will conduct its spring football practices leading into the April 12 A-Day game in Tuscaloosa before DeBoer’s second season in charge. However, even once spring ball is finished, the roster could still fluctuate.

The transfer portal opens once again on April 16, for a window that lasts through April 25. The proposal that would eliminate that window would take effect in 2026.

“Let’s get the development process of your team, of these guys and the work that we can put in, let’s get it all aligned,” DeBoer said. “So yeah, certainly in favor of that.”

Key losses for the Crimson Tide in the most recent transfer portal window included offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett, wide receiver Kendrick Law and defensive back DeVonta Smith. Alabama also made several additions, including former Miami wideout Isaiah Horton, Texas A&M offensive lineman Kam Dewberry and Utah cornerback Cam Calhoun.

Alabama opens the 2025 season on Aug. 30 in Tallahassee, where it will face Florida State.

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