FBS Oversight Committee Proposes Fewer Preseason Practices and Shorter Transfer Portal

The Division I Football Oversight Committee proposed changes to FBS offseason and preseason practice schedules and a shorter transfer portal window. The measures could take effect for the 2027 season if approved in an August vote. The proposal would permit two out-of-season practice sessions for a total of 21 practices, with each session limited to five weeks.

Teams currently hold 15 spring practices. Preseason practices would drop from 25 to 21 and could be completed over a 27-day span. An NCAA news release stated that the committee noted additional practice opportunities would be available during the spring and summer under the new out-of-season activities model, which warranted a four-day reduction.

In April the committee recommended moving the standard season start up one week to Week 0 before Labor Day weekend. The transfer portal window would shrink from 15 days to 10 days and open on the first business day after January 1. The portal opened on January 16 this year after the prior spring window was eliminated.

The committee also discussed raising the number of staff members permitted to recruit off campus to 17, including the head coach, and establishing a yearly allotment of recruiting days. Those ideas could produce a formal proposal for a later summer vote with 2027 implementation.