Why having just one transfer portal window is hurting college football

As the transfer portal window nears its end, players nationwide are making last-minute efforts to find new teams. This year marks the first with only a single winter window, eliminating the previous spring window. As of 5 p.m. ET on a recent Sunday, 4,199 players have entered the portal, according to On3. This shift has created challenges, particularly for programs undergoing coaching changes.

Michigan, one of the schools affected, saw 29 players enter the portal, with some, including Andrew Sprague and Zeke Berry, opting to return. However, the team is set to lose key players like Justice Haynes and Cole Sullivan. The lack of a spring window has posed difficulties for programs like Michigan, which dealt with a coaching change when Sherrone Moore's tenure ended abruptly due to a scandal.

Elsewhere, Ole Miss faced a coaching transition when Lane Kiffin left for LSU. The Rebels managed to retain most of their roster by quickly promoting Pete Golding, despite