It’s springtime, folks! Isn’t it supposed to be all easy breezy? But when are things easy flowing in college football? And when it’s the NCAA transfer portal season, we must better brace ourselves for stormy nights. Like it was on April 10, Thursday. College football programs have already lost their sleep trying to lock their gates tightly. But there have been some unlucky ones. No matter how hard they tried, they failed to keep their players close.
Now that’s how the trend has been. College football programs must already be having flashbacks from last season. In 2023-24, the total number of NCAA football players across all divisions who entered the portal exceeded 11,000. So, what exactly did happen on Thursday?
Missouri’s winter pickup is now a NCAA transfer portal spring exit
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers put together an impressive transfer class in the 2025 cycle after posting back-to-back seasons of at least 10 wins. While he could throw a party, he lost his linebacker star, Mikai Gbayor, who committed to the NCAA transfer portal on April 10. The 6’2”, 230-pounder was yet to show his powers to Drinkwitz. Gbayor, a graduate transfer, signed with the Tigers during the winter window on Dec. 16.
BREAKING: Missouri LB Mikai Gbayor plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 230 LB totaled 73 Tackles, 9 TFL, 3 PD, & 1.5 Sacks (2 seasons)
Transferred in from Nebraska in December
Will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/oz02CNJVul pic.twitter.com/GvMVfODL6H
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 10, 2025
The Irvington, New Jersey, native originally signed with Nebraska as a three-star prospect in the class of 2021. Back in Matt Rhule’s squad, in two seasons, he came up with 31 solo tackles, 42 assisted tackles, 9 TFL, and 1.5 sacks. He worked his way into a starting role in 2024 and was expected to compete for a spot at Missouri next season. As he jumps into the portal, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.
NCAA transfer portal steals away Tim Polasek’s star performer
There came a huge blow for Tim Polasek’s North Dakota State Bison, too. Now, they must be remembering their big 59-6 win at Murray State a little more. In that game, they scored 24 points off five Murray State turnovers. This included the masterstroke by their linebacker Enock Sibomana in the first quarter. The player came up with a 34-yard interception return touchdown. It’s time for Polasek to bid farewell to Sibomana, as he committed to the NCAA transfer portal on April 10.
He played in all 16 games in 2024, taking over as the starter at the outside linebacker position against Murray State in late October. The linebacker came off as a great package of athletic prowess as he finished as the second-leading tackler on the team with 56, racking up 7.5 tackles for loss. Now Sibomana is all set to upskill himself to the next level and makes a big sacrifice. He tweeted on April 10 in the afternoon, “With graduation approaching in May, I have spent a lot of time reflecting and praying about my next steps. My goals on and off the field must be considered for a decision like this. This was not an easy decision to leave my hometown, community and this team.”
Ferris State’s Championship QB hits the portal
The NCAA transfer portal placed its paws on the Ferris State as well. Tony Annese had a costly loss as he lost his quarterback, Trinidad Chamblis, who is on his way to swap wagons. Chambliss started in all 15 games of FSU’s National Championship-winning season in 2024. And his numbers were indeed great. The second-team All-American walks to another program with a strong resume. He threw for 2,925 yards and 26 TDs and rushed for 1,019 yards and 25 TDs. That’s how big his contribution has been in leading Ferris State to a Division II national title.
The quarterback did find himself a spot running for the Harlon Hill trophy where he was named as the finalist. Plus, the former Forest Hills Northern product will have two years of eligibility remaining. Chamblis also has a Division I scholarship offer under his belt from Temple University.
NCAA transfer portal hunts down Liberty Flames’s showstopper
Jamey Chadwell’s Liberty Flames landed the commitment from defensive tackle Chris Boti back on July 12, 2020. At the beginning of the year, they released their depth chart for 2025, even though it was too early. Chadwell seemed to be very confident about his interior defensive line. The report mentioned that they have several key returners this season, including Jay Hardy, Bryce Dixon, and Boti. This was apparently a piece of great news.
The 6’1”, 270-pounder Boti played in all 12 games for the Flames last year and totaled 36 tackles and one forced fumble. He has 68 career tackles, 6 TFLs, and 4 sacks. Just when the HC was about to pin high hopes on the defensive tackle, the NCAA transfer portal opened the spring window, and the Flames’ world went topsy-turvy. Boti has hit the ‘TRANSFER’ button.
Sacred Heart high achiever takes a leap
Then comes Nate Chandler. Well, Mark Nofri’s defensive lineman has already created enough buzz being the namesake of the Chicago Bears’ offensive tackle. Just when Sacred Heart fans were expecting some pro-league-level showdown from Chandler, he took a dive in the NCAA transfer portal. He had a strong first college football season.
The defensive lineman registered 35 total tackles, including 14 solo efforts. Chandler is unlikely to go to a top program. That’s because he has been unproven against Power Four schools. Going by the buzz, he might opt for options that would keep him closer to home. The names that are doing rounds are Delaware State, Delaware and Rhode Island.
That’s how much havoc the NCAA transfer portal made as soon as they opened the gates for the spring window. The duration between April 16 and 25 will come with more heartbreaks and victories. Thank god the 10-day window is shorter than in previous years. But so what? It’s not going to be any less chaotic as the players are running after to cash in before teams are faced with salary cap constraints in the upcoming revenue-sharing era.
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