Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding
Ole Miss’s head football coach Pete Golding has been deemed the name “Portal Pete”. Ole Miss finished with the No. 2 transfer portal class in the nation, gaining 29 commits through the portal during the 2026 cycle.
But when, and how did the transfer portal become what it is today?
On Oct. 15, 2018, the NCAA digital data base was created that notifies schools of an athlete’s intent to transfer. The portal is now open for 15 days. Schools, however, competing in the College Football Playoff have an extended 5 day window after their final game.
The first time the portal opened in the 2018-19 season approximately 1,500 athletes entered. This past 2025-26 season over 10,500 hit the portal.
Why has this simple database become such a phenomenon in college football?
There’s a variety of reasons. First is readiness. College football coaches have been prioritizing athletes in the transfer portal over high school athletes because of experience and development. Taking a look at the numbers in 2022, Ole Miss signed 12 transfers and 19 high schoolers. As of 2026. Ole Miss signed 29 transfers and 22 high schoolers.
Ole Miss increased its reliance on transfers by nearly 20 percent.
NIL ENTERS THE PICTURE
On July 21, 2021, the NCAA adopted an interim policy allowing athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness. This becomes a huge motivator for many athletes. Before or upon entering the portal student-athletes can solicit NIL compensation from new schools, scoping out their market value, and many times signing a contract and moving on.
Because of the portal boom I believe we are going to see a number of things in the college football world very soon. Division II schools are going to see an increase in enrollment. High schoolers are not being highly prioritized anymore by Power 4 schools and are losing their scholarships. Prospects are going to sign with these programs in hopes of transferring out into larger programs.
We can already see the trend. In 2022 2,918 players transferred from D2 schools and as of 2026 there were 3,800 transfers.
As of Feb. 26, 2026, the state of Mississippi passed a bill to remove state income tax on NIL. This adds another layer to the business aspect of the new age college football world, if other states decide to follow in Mississippi’s footsteps.
Football is no longer just about the sport, but more of a true business.
