UCLA losing speedy QB Karson Gordon to transfer portal via loophole

UCLA Bruins quarterback Karson Gordon. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

UCLA losing speedy QB Karson Gordon to transfer portal via loophole

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 28, 2026 7:59 PM ET

The college football transfer portal opened up this past winter on January 2, and it stayed open for two weeks.

There was a ton of movement all across the country, but once the portal was closed, it stayed closed. In the past, there was another portal post spring practices, but that has been closed.

And yet, news came out on Thursday that the UCLA Bruins have lost redshirt sophomore quarterback/receiver Karson Gordon to the NCAA transfer portal.

How does that work?

Gordon is part of the UCLA football program, but he's also a track athlete. He's transferring away from UCLA as a track athlete. This is technically a loophole, though, because Gordon is still planning on playing football wherever he ends up.

UCLA QB Karson Gordon (@KarsonGordon24) is entering the transfer portal, his reps @matt_woolslayer and @CSGnoahclair tell @CBSSports.

Gordon is entering as a track athlete but intends to play football at his next school. Gordon is one of the fastest QBs in the country. Recently… pic.twitter.com/BYXErFkcfN
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) May 28, 2026

One has to wonder how many football coaches are going to suddenly be conspiring with their track and field counterparts to try to acquire Gordon in the track portal.

He's listed as a wideout on UCLA's roster and he signed as a 3-star athlete out of Bellaire, Texas. ESPN ranked him as the No. 19 dual-threat quarterback in his recruiting class.

On the track, he won a national championship in triple jump with a jump of 51-4.5 at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June 2023. He was also the Texas Gatorade Boys Track & Field Player of the Year for 2022-23.

Gordon is an elite athlete, without a doubt. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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