BYU Navigating Transfer Portal Wave Better Than Most Programs
The NCAA transfer portal is open, but BYU appears to be handling the initial surge of player departures better than many other programs.
This time of year highlights how much college athletics, especially football, have transformed in recent years. The transfer portal and NIL era have redefined the landscape, allowing players to act as free agents every year they are eligible to play.
The transfer portal window for football began this week, with numerous players announcing their intention to find new teams.
Social media is buzzing with declarations from players across the country about their plans to transfer. It’s an uneasy time for fans, particularly when their favorite teams or players are involved.
No program is immune to the impact of the transfer portal.
According to 247Sports, BYU currently has six players in the portal: defensive backs Micah Harper and Crew Wakely, offensive players Jackson Bowers, Kody Epps, and Miles Davis, as well as former three-star recruit Dallin Havea.
Notably, only one of these players, safety Crew Wakely, logged more than 150 snaps this season on offense or defense. The others played reserve roles or didn’t see the field.
While some BYU fans may worry about any player leaving, especially after a 10-2 season, a broader view shows BYU is faring better than many Big 12 teams. All 16 conference teams currently have at least five players in the portal.
BYU has the second-lowest number of players in the portal among Big 12 teams.
This is especially notable given the upheaval at programs like UCF and West Virginia, both undergoing coaching changes that often lead to more departures.
Compared to the Big 12, BYU is in a strong position. For instance, rival Utah faces a wave of transfers despite head coach Kyle Whittingham announcing his return for 2025. Nineteen Utah players, including four quarterbacks, are transferring after a disappointing 5-7 season.
Even among bowl-bound teams, BYU stands out. Arizona State, heading to the Peach Bowl after winning the Big 12 title, has 11 players in the portal. Four other Big 12 bowl teams also have double-digit transfers, while BYU has just six.
However, BYU may see more players enter the portal before the December 28 deadline, which coincides with their Alamo Bowl appearance against Colorado. The portal reopens briefly in April, and additional departures wouldn’t be surprising.
Some players might leave if coaches clarify their roles before the Alamo Bowl. Still, Kalani Sitake’s staff has kept the roster relatively stable, aided perhaps by Sitake’s recently announced contract extension to remain at BYU long-term.
Outside the Big 12, even College Football Playoff teams like Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Boise State have more portal entries than BYU.
For now, BYU is in a good spot—but things can change quickly.