Virginia Linebacker Trey McDonald to Enter 2026 Transfer Portal Amid Depth Chart Shakeup
Virginia linebacker Trey McDonald is heading to the transfer portal, according to his agent Parker St. Pierre and a separate source familiar with the situation. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound defender will be looking for a new opportunity after spending the past three seasons with the Cavaliers.
McDonald’s time in Charlottesville saw him appear in 41 games, including five starts. Over that span, he recorded 74 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. Solid production for a player who carved out a role in a deepening linebacker room.
But this past season, McDonald’s role shifted - and not in his favor. With the arrival of Maddox Marcellus and the rise of Landon Danley and Caleb Hardy, McDonald found himself sliding down the depth chart. The coaching staff moved him to the "Bandit" role, a hybrid linebacker/edge position, but most of his snaps came on special teams rather than in defensive packages.
For a veteran with three years of experience and proven production, it's understandable that McDonald would explore options where he can play a bigger role. And now, with the transfer portal window just days away from opening, he’s making his move.
Timing the Portal Right
While announcements like McDonald's often surface on social media, players in the FBS and FCS ranks can’t officially enter the portal until January 2. There are exceptions - like players from Division II or III, or those grandfathered in under old rules - but for the majority, the window is now tightly defined.
The NCAA made some notable changes to the portal process this year. What used to be a 30-day window starting in early December has been condensed into a single 15-day period from January 2 to January 16.
The spring window? Gone.
Graduate transfers used to have more flexibility to enter the portal in the spring, but now they’re also bound by the same 15-day window.
And coaching changes? They no longer trigger an automatic 30-day window for players to enter. If a new coach is hired after January 2, players only have 15 days to make a decision.
What’s Next for McDonald
For McDonald, the move to the portal is about opportunity. He’s a seasoned linebacker with size, experience, and special teams versatility - a profile that should draw interest from programs looking to bolster their depth or add a veteran presence to their locker room.
He may not have been the centerpiece of Virginia’s defense, but McDonald brought consistency and effort whenever he was on the field. Now, he’ll look to take that skill set to a new program, one that can offer him a bigger role and a fresh start in 2026.