Colorado is buzzing with NCAA sports news following the NCAA’s recent decision regarding college football transfers. The NCAA is close to approving a single transfer window aimed at simplifying the transfer process for players during postseason play. This proposal was green-lighted by the Division I bowl subdivision oversight committee and will soon move to the D-I administrative panel for final approval next month.
If approved, the transfer window will allow players on teams competing in playoffs or bowl games to enter the transfer portal without risking their eligibility for these important contests. The proposed window extends from January 2 to January 16, moving away from the previous December schedule of December 9 to December 28. This new window aims to reduce distractions and keep players focused as they approach critical games.
Coaches from the bowl subdivision are in full support, with a unanimous vote backing the January portal proposal at the American Football Coaches Association convention earlier this year. This change comes after notable incidents last season when players like Penn State’s Beau Pribula opted to enter the portal, missing out on their teams’ playoff runs due to overlapping timelines.
In addition to this, the spring transfer period has been eliminated, previously taking place from April 16 to April 25. Many coaches found themselves juggling player transfers and spring practice during that time. Only players from College Football Playoff teams can enter the transfer portal for five days after their last game, which is a new stipulation designed to keep teams intact for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, on another front, the Big 12 Conference is seeing a surge in talent from Australia, particularly in the punting game. A whopping nine of the top 15 punters in the conference come from Down Under. Punters like Damon Greaves from Colorado and Finn Lappin from Kansas highlight this trend. Collectively, these Australian punters are averaging an impressive 44.1 yards per punt this season and have successfully pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line a total of 55 times.
This influx of talent can be traced back to **Australian rules football**, where players grow accustomed to kicking the ball from a young age. With programs like Prokick Australia training young punters, the transition to American college football becomes smoother. Current collegiate players like Jeremy Crawshaw, Tory Taylor, and Michael Dickson are just a few success stories emerging from this system.
As the college football landscape evolves, both the transfer window approval and the rise of Aussie punters signal exciting times ahead for NCAA sports fans and players alike.
