Big changes have come to transfer portal season in college football.
In an effort to stem the tide of players opting out of bowls − and sometimes even the College Football Playoff − in order to enter the transfer portal, the NCAA moved the transfer window to January, where it will run from Jan. 2-16.
That doesn’t mean players can’t still announce their intentions to enter the portal before the window officially opens, especially for players who would have been unlikely to play in a bowl game anyway.
For Vanderbilt football, the new transfer window will mean being able to prepare for a bowl before worrying about the portal window. The Commodores have had great success finding contributors in the portal the last few seasons, most notably
Here’s who is leaving and joining the Commodores via portal:
Sellers committed Jan. 5. A 4-star recruit out of high school, he appeared in only one game in 2025 with the Aggies, giving him four full years of eligibility.
Johnson, a First Team All-MVFC selection, committed Jan. 5, a big boost along the offensive line.
Conner committed Jan. 4. He spent two years at Ole Miss, then spent the last two seasons at East Carolina. In 2025, he recorded 23 catches for 333 yards and three touchdowns.
Veney committed to Vanderbilt on Nov. 24, joining the Commodores from Division II Morehouse College. In 2025, he played in 10 games, making 32 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Veney started his career at Army in 2023 before transferring.
Dillon entered the portal Jan. 5. After transferring to Vanderbilt from Ole Miss, Dillon did not appear in a game in two years and was not on the roster for the 2025 season.
Newberry announced he would enter the portal Jan. 5. He appeared in 11 games in 2025, rushing 18 times for 57 yards and three touchdowns while catching two passes for 18 yards as the third-string running back.
Gillespie announced he would enter the portal Jan. 5. After appearing in 12 games in 2023 and 11 in 2024, Gillespie appeared in just two games in 2025 and rushed one time for two yards.
Richardson said he would enter the portal Jan. 3. Vanderbilt’s leading receiver in 2025, he made 46 catches for 806 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 62 yards.
Zunk announced his entry into the portal Jan. 3 on social media. Zunk was a key rotational defensive lineman for Vanderbilt, recording 15 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 13 games.
Ruth announced he would enter the portal via social media Dec. 21. Ruth appeared in 12 games in 2025, recording two tackles and a recovered fumble.
Starks announced he would enter the portal on social media Dec. 18. Starks appeared in 10 games during his Vanderbilt career, nine of which were in 2025.
MacDonald announced he would enter the portal on social media Dec. 18. He appeared in three games across four years with the Commodores.
Sandoval announced on social media that he would be entering the portal Dec. 16. He appeared in 13 games in 2024 and four games in 2025 after redshirting in 2023.
St-Hilaire was reported to be entering the portal on Dec. 16. He did not appear in a game across two seasons with the program.
Dickey announced Dec. 4 that he would be entering the portal. Dickey spent four seasons with the program and in total appeared in three games, one in 2023 and two in 2025. He completed one pass for 28 yards against Georgia State and missed the second half of the 2025 season dealing with a cardiac issue.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
