Since the NCAA regional round of the college baseball season ended, there have been two transfer portal windows. Of course, there was the traditional one that runs for the month of June and the one time transfer window for players now deemed as “designated student athletes” in the eyes of the NCAA. As noted earlier in the week, less than 100 players chose to enter that second transfer period in search of a new program.
As shared in this space some time ago, any player from a Southeastern Conference program looking to transfer within the league had to do so in the first window. Technically, certain players could move within the conference as part of that DSA window, but their transfer would have to be approved by the SEC office and a hardship waiver granted. So far, none have pursued that course of action.
Intraconference transfers always raise an eyebrow or two. Not to suggest any malfeasance, even though there is some from time to time, players are known throughout the league. When they enter the portal and chose another SEC school it often makes headlines.
Outside of Mississippi State’s incoming transfers for 2025, there were only nine players from SEC programs to choose a former conference foe as their transfer destination. Alabama landed former Oklahoma standout Sam Christiansen. Florida added Mississippi native and former Ole Miss Rebel Ethan Surowiec. The Missouri Tigers signed Jamal George of Texas A&M, Donovan Johnson of Texas and Jase Woita of South Carolina. Former State two-way standout Nolan Stevens landed at Oklahoma. Promising LSU Tiger Ashton Larson is now at Texas. Arkansas saw Zane Becker ink with Texas A&M.
According to 64Analytics.com there were a total of 106 SEC players that entered the NCAA transfer portal during the summer of 2025. Seventeen of those players have not announced a landing spot to continue their academic and athletic pursuits. Three of those looking for a new school found one on the junior college level.
For those who found a spot on the D1 level, the destinations are essentially split between G5 and Power Four programs. In fact, the G5 schools have a slight lead in that respect.
The data is the data and there are a few conclusions that can be drawn from that information. Some guys simply did not pan out. They either were processed out of a program or saw the need to seek playing time elsewhere. Another point to ponder is that most of those leaving the league went to programs that are rumored to have less revenue to share and very little NIL dollars to pay.
Yes, there are some schools willing to write a big check, but in the sport of baseball those programs are fewer and far between compared to football and basketball. The transfer data from 2025 illustrates that many of those leaving are taking a step down when it comes to resources in hopes of taking a step up in their playing careers.