The national championship spotlight doesn’t just bring the pressure of the big stage - it also comes with a rare twist in timing. Thanks to their deep postseason runs, both the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes were granted a special five-day extension to the NCAA transfer portal window, pushing their deadline to January 24, 2026. It’s a short window, but in today’s college football world, even a few extra days can stir up plenty of movement - and plenty of noise.
Indiana: One Move, One Message
Indiana’s portal activity has been quiet, but not silent. Backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza entered the portal and has already landed at Georgia Tech.
On paper, it’s not a seismic shift - Mendoza wasn’t expected to challenge for the starting job - but the timing is what jumps out. It’s a reminder that even when a team is chasing a national title, roster management doesn’t stop.
Depth charts evolve, opportunities shift, and players make moves that are right for them, regardless of the moment.
Miami: More Names, Less Panic
Miami’s list of portal departures is longer - six players entered on Tuesday alone. Among them: linebacker Bobby Washington Jr., quarterback Emory Williams, safety Amari Wallace, and highly touted defensive lineman Artavius Jones.
That’s not a small group, and it includes some real talent. But inside the program, there’s no alarm bell ringing.
The sense is that these are expected transitions, not fractures. The championship core, the group that powered Miami’s run, is still intact.
Outside Noise and Transfer Rumors
Of course, the real volume hasn’t come from the locker room - it’s been coming from outside. Social media has been buzzing with transfer speculation, especially around Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker.
Despite no signs from Becker or the program that he’s considering a move, fans have been firing off “he should transfer” takes like it’s a foregone conclusion. But that’s all it is - speculation filling the void.
Miami, however, has had to deal with a more pointed rumor cycle. It started with a parody account claiming that freshman phenom Malachi Toney was preparing to enter the portal, with Ohio State, USF, and Florida listed as potential destinations.
The post spread fast. Recruiting photos resurfaced.
Message boards lit up. And just like that, the internet had turned fiction into “maybe.”
That’s when Toney’s mother, Shatravia “Toni” Toney, stepped in with a clear message: “Don’t get it twisted, we’re home.” She followed it up with something even more direct: “And it’s still go Canes…back in the lab.”
Malachi Toney: Star Power and Staying Put - For Now
Toney just turned 18 in September, and he’s already one of the most electric non-quarterbacks in college football. With over 1,300 combined rushing and receiving yards and 11 touchdowns this season, he’s not just a rising star - he’s a centerpiece.
He’ll be in the mix for preseason All-America honors, award watchlists, and one of the most lucrative NIL markets in the country. Wherever he suits up next fall, he’s going to be a headline player.
All signs point to him staying in Miami. But the portal window is still open. And in a sport where change is constant and certainty is rare, even the most obvious outcomes can feel tenuous.
The New Normal in College Football
This is the new reality of college football. Surprise isn’t just possible - it’s expected.
The transfer portal has become a second recruiting cycle, a high-stakes chessboard where timing, opportunity, and perception all matter. Players are more empowered than ever, and programs are learning to adapt on the fly.
For Indiana and Miami, the next three days won’t define their programs - but they will shape the offseason. The championship stage may be behind them, but the roster reshuffling is still very much in play.