Rhett Lashlee Criticizes Transfer Portal Timing During Playoffs

Rhett Lashlee Criticizes Transfer Portal Timing During Playoffs \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ SMU coach Rhett Lashlee voiced concerns over the transfer portal window overlapping with the College Football Playoff and bowl games, calling it unfair to players and disruptive for teams. Lashlee, alongside other coaches like Deion Sanders and James Franklin, argued that the current system pressures players to make hasty decisions during a critical time. The portal’s timing remains a growing issue in college football.

College Coaches Criticize Transfer Portal Timing Quick Looks

• Timing Issues: Transfer portal deadline (Dec. 28) clashes with playoffs, bowl games, and final exams.
• Coach Rhett Lashlee’s Stand: Lashlee says the system forces players into “no-win” decisions.
• Backup Quarterbacks Impacted: Key backups like SMU’s Preston Stone and Penn State’s Beau Pribula are navigating difficult choices.
• Deion Sanders’ Take: Sanders accepts the portal but warns players about “using” programs.
• Marshall Bowl Fallout: Too many portal departures forced Marshall to withdraw from a bowl game.
• Proposed Solutions: Coaches suggest postponing the transfer portal window to avoid disrupting postseason play.

Deep Look

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee has joined a growing chorus of college football coaches calling for reform of the transfer portal window, which currently overlaps with critical periods like the College Football Playoff, bowl games, and end-of-semester exams. Lashlee, whose SMU team is preparing to play Penn State in a first-round CFP matchup, expressed frustration with how the current system pressures players into making career-altering decisions at the wrong time.

Lashlee: “It’s Unfair to Players”

Lashlee’s primary concern isn’t with the concept of transferring—he acknowledges that players should have the opportunity to explore better options for playing time or to capitalize on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Instead, his criticism focuses on the timing of the transfer portal.

The transfer portal window, which closes on Dec. 28, forces players to decide whether to enter before they complete their seasons. For teams competing in the playoffs or bowl games, this creates unnecessary distractions during a pivotal time.

“I hate it for our players,” Lashlee said. “You get a chance to play in the College Football Playoff, yet you’re forced to decide: do I go in the portal or not? And let’s call it like it is, people are bombarding our roster trying to pick people off, and we’re trying to focus on the playoff.”

Adding to the strain, Lashlee pointed out that many players are also juggling final exams, compounding the stress of these decisions.

Real-Time Impact: Backup Quarterbacks Face Tough Choices

The challenges of the portal’s timing are evident in this year’s postseason rosters. Both SMU and Penn State are dealing with backup quarterbacks navigating the portal.

• SMU’s Preston Stone—who started the season but was later replaced—has chosen to stay with the Mustangs through their playoff run.
• At Penn State, Beau Pribula has already entered the portal and will not travel with the team for the postseason.

Penn State coach James Franklin echoed Lashlee’s concerns, emphasizing how quarterbacks—who compete for limited starting roles—are particularly impacted.

“The way the portal is, when you play quarterback and those spots are filling up, [Pribula] felt like he was in a no-win situation,” Franklin explained. “And I agree with him.”

Deion Sanders’ Pragmatic Approach to the Portal

Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who has become a major player in the transfer portal, shared his perspective on navigating the system. Sanders has used the portal extensively to overhaul his roster, leading the Buffaloes to a 9-3 record this season after winning just four games in his debut year.

Sanders accepts the portal’s realities but draws a firm line when it comes to players taking advantage of teams:

“You’re not going to come here, practice, eat, and have a Merry Christmas with us, then leave right out of the game. That’s using somebody, and you’re not going to use us.”

Sanders emphasized the importance of planning and preparation, noting that teams should expect both unexpected departures and surprise additions. For him, the portal is a tool—but one that requires strategy and discipline.

“You’ve got to have a board. You’ve got to do your studies. The portal is not a surprise if you’re ready.”

The Fallout: Marshall Withdraws from Bowl Game

The transfer portal’s impact can go beyond roster juggling—it can derail entire seasons. A recent example is Marshall University, which withdrew from its scheduled bowl game after too many players entered the portal following a coaching change. The loss of key players made it impossible for the team to field a competitive roster.

This situation highlights how portal decisions can undermine team stability and deprive players of opportunities to participate in postseason play.

Lashlee’s Call for Reform

For Lashlee, the solution is straightforward: change the timing of the transfer portal. By moving the window to a later date—after the College Football Playoff and bowl season conclude—players and teams would benefit from more clarity and less disruption.

“We’ve got to look long and hard at the schedule,” Lashlee said. “We keep making these random changes to avoid lawsuits or other pressures without thinking about the long-term effects on the young people we’re supposed to be serving.”

Lashlee believes the current system fails to prioritize the players’ best interests, despite its intention to create opportunities for them.

“We talk about making a system that’s great for them, but we haven’t. Players don’t want this. There’s no other sport that has free agency during the season. It’s sad. It’s terrible.”

What Comes Next?

As debates over the transfer portal continue, Lashlee and other coaches will keep pushing for reforms that address timing issues and reduce disruptions during key parts of the season. With voices like James Franklin, Deion Sanders, and others joining the discussion, the NCAA may face increasing pressure to adjust the portal schedule in a way that better serves both players and programs.

In the meantime, teams like SMU and Penn State must navigate the chaos of portal decisions while staying focused on the playoffs and bowl games. For coaches and players alike, finding the balance between team commitments and individual opportunities remains a juggling act.

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