Can transfers play in the bowl games? Deep dive into CFB rule book

The college football transfer portal is open as bowl games have officially been announced. With that, plenty of players have already put their names in the portal to try and go to a new school in 2025.

However, if a player goes into the portal, can they still play in their team's bowl game?

Can transfers play in the bowl games?

College football players can technically play in bowl games even if they are in the transfer portal, according to College Net Worth. The website says that no particular rule exists which prevents a player from participating in a bowl game if he is in the transfer portal.

Given that the players haven't officially left their schools until they sign with a new program, they are allowed to play in bowl games.

However, given that players have said the intention is to leave, those who are in the portal don't usually play in bowl games. But, it isn't because they aren't allowed, but instead, is due to it being a coach's decision.

Transfer portal rules

The transfer portal allows college athletes to switch schools. In 2021, it was allowed that a first-time transfer is automatically eligible to play right away for their new program.

A player has to inform the school of its decision to enter the transfer portal. The school then has two business days to enter the athlete's name into the database for the portal.

Once a player is in the portal, programs are allowed to reach out to players as they can start taking calls and visits. However, a player can enter the portal and choose to return to the same school.

The college football transfer portal opened on Monday, Dec. 9, which is the day after the bowl games and college football playoff field was revealed. The portal is open for 20 days, as players have until Dec. 28 to put their name in the portal. But players don't have to make a decision by Dec. 28, their name just has to be in the portal.