As bowl season winds down and the College Football Playoff semifinals loom, another high-stakes game is about to kick off - the transfer portal. Starting Friday, Jan. 2, college football programs across the country will dive headfirst into a two-week window that could redefine their rosters heading into 2025.
This year’s portal period carries a little extra weight. Back in September, the NCAA eliminated the spring transfer window, meaning this January stretch is the one and only official shot for players to move without sitting out. It’s a condensed, high-pressure timeline - and it’s about to get loud.
Players have been teasing their intentions for weeks, but come Friday, it all becomes official. Expect a flurry of movement as athletes look for better fits, more playing time, or a fresh start - and as programs try to plug holes or upgrade talent in a hurry.
Tennessee is one of the teams that will be especially active. Coming off a tough loss in the Music City Bowl, head coach Josh Heupel was candid about where his program stands and where it needs to go.
“We’ve got to get better, absolutely,” Heupel said. “But there’s a lot of really good, young talent inside of that locker room.
One of, if not the youngest teams in our league. There’s an influx of guys that we just signed that are highly talented.
Yes, we have to go in the portal and get some guys, too. The talent is one thing, the development of it is the second part of it.”
That’s the balancing act for every coach this time of year - finding the right mix of experienced transfers who can contribute immediately and young talent that needs time to grow. For Tennessee, the youth movement is real, but so is the need to fill gaps fast.
As of Thursday morning, ten Tennessee players from the 2025 roster are expected to officially enter the portal once it opens. That group includes defensive back Boo Carter, defensive linemen Jamal Wallace, Trevor Duncan, and Herb Gray, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom, linebacker Brenden Anes, defensive back Marcus Goree Jr., quarterback Jake Merklinger, running back Peyton Lewis, and offensive lineman Max Anderson.
That’s a significant chunk of talent, and it reflects the fluid nature of today’s college football landscape. Whether it’s a depth chart squeeze, a coaching change, or just the search for a better opportunity, players are taking control of their careers in ways that were unthinkable a decade ago.
Friday marks the official start of what’s become a chaotic but crucial phase of the offseason. For coaches, it’s a test of roster management and recruiting savvy.
For players, it’s a chance to reset and recalibrate. And for fans?
It’s a whirlwind of departures, arrivals, and what-ifs - all packed into a two-week sprint.
One thing’s for sure: we’re about to learn a lot about how teams are building for 2025. The portal isn’t just a side story anymore - it’s a central pillar of modern college football strategy.