The transfer portal in NCAA 25 works through your team's coaching staff, not through a menu you access alone

To enter the transfer portal in NCAA 25, you need to request it through your head coach during the in-game offseason. The portal opens after your team's season ends, and you'll see a prompt to speak with your coach about your future. When you choose to enter, your player becomes available for other teams to recruit, and you can then accept offers from programs that contact you.

The process is straightforward but timing matters. You can only enter during the offseason window, not mid-season. Once you're in the portal, other teams' coaches will begin recruiting you based on your player's overall rating, position, and stats from the previous season. You don't search for teams yourself — coaches come to you with offers.

Key Takeaways

  • Enter the transfer portal by speaking with your head coach during the offseason, after your season ends.
  • Your player must have played at least one season before becoming may be able to access to enter the portal.
  • Once in the portal, other teams will send you scholarship offers based on your performance and rating.
  • You can accept an offer from any team that recruits you, or stay with your current program if you choose.
  • The portal window closes after a set period, so you must make a decision before the deadline or return to your original team.

When the transfer portal opens during your season

The transfer portal becomes available after your team's final game of the season. If you make a bowl game, you'll see the option after that game concludes. If your team doesn't may have access to for a bowl, the portal opens after your regular season ends.

You'll receive a notification that you can speak with your head coach about entering. This happens automatically — you don't need to trigger it yourself. Go to your coach's office during the offseason menu and select the option to discuss your future with the program.

How to request entry through your coach

Navigate to your team's coaching staff menu during the offseason. Select your head coach and choose the dialogue option about your status or future. The game will present you with a clear choice: stay with your current team or enter the transfer portal.

Once you confirm you want to enter, your player is officially in the portal. You'll see a list of teams that are interested in recruiting you. The number of offers depends on your player's rating and how well you performed in the previous season. A highly-rated player with strong stats will attract more offers from top programs.

What happens after you enter the portal

After entering, you'll receive scholarship offers from other programs over the next few in-game weeks. Each offer shows the team, the scholarship amount, and the program's overall rating. You can review all offers at any time from your player menu.

You're not locked into accepting the first offer. You can wait to see all available options before deciding. However, the portal window does close after a set number of in-game days, so you must make a choice before the deadline passes. If you don't accept an offer by the deadline, you automatically return to your original team.

Accepting an offer and transferring to a new team

When you're ready to transfer, select the offer you want to accept from your available options. Confirm your choice, and your player will transfer to that program. You'll start the next season at your new school with a new team, new coaches, and a new playbook to learn.

Your player's overall rating may take a small hit in the first season at a new program because you're learning a different offensive or defensive scheme. This penalty fades as you play games and gain familiarity with your new team's system. Your stats and performance from the previous season carry over, but your chemistry with new teammates starts at zero.

Requirements before you can enter the portal

Your player must have completed at least one full season at your current program before entering the transfer portal. Freshmen cannot enter after their first year in most cases — you need to have played through a complete season and offseason to become may be able to access.

There are no other restrictions based on your player's major, academic standing, or position. Any player who meets the one-season requirement can request entry through their coach.

What to do if no teams recruit you

If your player's overall rating is very low or your stats were poor in the previous season, you may not receive any offers. In this case, you'll see a message indicating that no programs are interested in recruiting you at this time.

When this happens, you automatically return to your original team for the next season. You can try again after another season of play if you improve your rating and statistics. Focus on getting playing time and performing well to attract attention from other programs in future years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter the transfer portal mid-season?

No. The transfer portal only opens during the offseason, after your team's final game. You cannot enter while games are still being played. You must wait until your season ends to request entry through your coach.

What if I change my mind after entering the portal?

You can decline all offers and return to your original team before the portal window closes. Simply don't accept any scholarship offers by the deadline, and you'll automatically stay with your current program for the next season.

Do I lose my scholarship if I enter the portal?

Your scholarship is held while you're in the portal. If you don't accept an offer elsewhere, you return to your original team with your scholarship intact. If you accept an offer from another program, that new team provides your scholarship.

How long does the transfer portal window stay open?

The portal window lasts for several in-game weeks during the offseason. The exact number of days varies, but you'll see a countdown timer showing how much time remains to make your decision before the deadline.

Can I transfer to a rival school?

Yes. There are no restrictions on which teams can recruit you or which offers you can accept. You can transfer to any program that sends you an offer, including rivals of your current school.