BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

SEC’s Spring Transfer Rule Looms Large as Portal Reopens

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gabriel King | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 2:33 PM ET

The college football transfer portal is in utter chaos right now.

The spring transfer window opened on April 16, and there has been plenty of activity since then. Most notably, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava left for UCLA after demanding more NIL money from the Volunteers.

Most players who enter the transfer portal this spring, including Iamaleava, will be immediately eligible for their new teams in 2025. However, there is one notable exception.

The SEC prohibits players that transfer within the conference in the spring from playing the following season. If a player wishes to transfer from one SEC school to another, they must do so during the winter window to be immediately eligible.

While the rule has always had an impact, it’s looming particularly large this year. Oklahoma defensive tackle and former five-star recruit David Stone entered the transfer portal Friday, and the SEC’s rule is having a major impact on his recruitment.

NEW: Oklahoma true freshman DL David Stone has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.

Stone was a Five-Star Plus+ in the 2024 class.https://t.co/RD1MgHJN2t pic.twitter.com/6nlXbqgQ0b
— On3 (@On3sports) April 19, 2025

During his high school recruitment last year, Stone’s top six schools were Oklahoma, Miami, Florida, Oregon, Michigan State and Texas A&M. Stone would have to sit out 2025 if he wanted to transfer to an SEC school, which makes it unlikely for Florida or Texas A&M to pursue him.

The rule opens the door for schools like Miami, Oregon and Michigan State to poach Stone. Programs outside the SEC capitalizing on the rule has been a concern for SEC coaches.

“There’s nobody that loves that rule more than the teams outside the SEC. I mean, they love that rule,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said earlier this offseason.

Texas A&M would have been a major player for Stone if he entered the transfer portal in the winter. Instead, the Aggies are a longshot to land him. Landing Stone would have been a massive get for Texas A&M, as the Aggies lost three defensive linemen to the 2025 NFL Draft.

Stone will be an immediate contributor wherever he lands, as long as it’s outside the SEC. According to 247Sports, Stone is the top defensive lineman in the portal and the 10th-best player overall.

With Stone, the SEC’s rule will likely cost the conference another talented player. Programs like Texas A&M will continue to miss out on top spring transfer talent while teams in others leagues reap the benefits.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: