Transfer portal is an inescapable concept for college sports. But what does this sometimes controversial facet of the athletic landscape actually constitute? 

The name conjures images of a supernatural force — so much so, a soda brand has depicted "transfer portal" like a Stranger Things plot device in an ad campaign that runs throughout the college football season.

But the actual transfer portal isn't nearly so foreign, even if it seems complicated. The actual portal is simply the online database athletes use to open their possibilities. 

How the process actually works entails quite a bit more. Here is a primer on how the NCAA transfer portal works for college football. 

One-Time Transfer

 Per the NCAA's Eligibility Center, one-time transfers must adhere to the following criteria: 

• They must be transferring from a four-year college or university to a Div. I member school. 
• They must be academically eligible upon the time of transfer. 
• This must be their first college transfer — ergo the "one-time" exception. 

The one-time transfer exception became something of a hot-button issue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however. In the spring of 2021, the NCAA waived the longtime rule requiring transfers to sit out for a year at their new school. Though it began in the 2018-19 academic calendar year, the rise of the term "transfer portal" tracks commensurate with this shift to allow most transfers immediate eligibility. 

Individual conferences that previously enforced transfer rules that were more stringent than the NCAA's adjusted along with the governing body's overall changes. To wit, in 2021, the Southeastern Conference moved away from an old rule requiring any in-league transfer to redshirt. 

Multiple-Time Transfer 

The rule requiring a transfer athlete to sit out for a redshirt season with his new program still applies to those who transfer more than once — with a notable exception, and one not tied specifically to this "portal" era. 

Athletes that finished their undergraduate studies are immediately eligible when transferring. Oftentimes, a graduate will change programs to attend a university that offers graduate programs their undergraduate school might not. 

However, a transfer needs to have at least one year of playing eligibility remaining. 

Transfer Window 

In order to address concerns about players transferring deep into the offseason, leaving little or no time to fill a voided roster spot, the NCAA adopted a change in 2022 that allows transfers to be made within specific windows. 

Football's transfer portal window opens once postseason selections are announced in December, and remains open for 45 days thereafter. The introduction of an early-signing period in football, with a signing day in mid-December as well as the first Wednesday of February, adds an extra layer of work for football staffs amid the holiday season. 

Football's transfer portal window opens again in the spring from May 1-15.  

Impermissible Communication & Other Possible Issues 

Among the bigger controversies tied to the transfer is the accusation of "poaching," alleging representatives from other programs contacts players to entice them to transfer. 

Per the NCAA: 

"Existing recruiting rules prohibit communication and contact with a student-athlete enrolled at another NCAA school prior to the student-athlete appearing in the NCAA Transfer Portal. These rules also prohibit the indirect use of third parties contacting individuals on the student-athlete’s behalf (e.g., family member, scholastic or no scholastic coach, advisor). Certain violations of these rules can constitute a significant breach of conduct as it relates to the NCAA infractions process. A student-athlete’s eligibility can be jeopardized at the school that engaged in impermissible communication."

Likewise, a transfer's eligibility might be impacted if they are entering the portal while under a disciplinary suspension at their current school. 

Transfer of academic credits between universities/colleges can also be a potential sticking point preventing a transfer, even with the NCAA's more lenient rules.