SMU coach Rhett Lashlee calls for end to December portal window - ESPN

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee suggested the December portal window should be eliminated, decrying that players have to make decisions about whether to transfer or play in the College Football Playoff.

Speaking Tuesday during his news conference before a CFP first-round matchup against Penn State on Saturday, Lashlee said having an open portal window while prepping for postseason games is «terrible,» while also noting the decision that Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula made to enter the portal.

«I feel so awful for our kids and kids around the country,» Lashlee said. «There's no other sport at all that has free agency in the season. It's sad. It's terrible. You hear the story about their backup quarterback saying, 'I don't have a choice.' That's wrong. That's unacceptable. That's not OK. He shouldn't have to make that decision.'»

SMU backup quarterback Preston Stone, who lost his starting job in Week 3, has chosen to stay with the Mustangs for their playoff run, but Lashlee said, «We're working with him, but it's still a juggling act.»

The December portal window opened Dec. 9 and closes Dec. 28 — although players whose teams made it to the CFP have a five-day window to enter, starting the day after their season ends.

«The real easy thing is you don't have a transfer portal in December. That's the real easy answer, and it solves all the problems,» Lashlee said. «Why in the world would we put kids in a position where they've got to decide, do I transfer or play in the playoff? Do I transfer or play my bowl game? Scholastically, it doesn't make sense either, because your years end in May, not in December.»

Lashlee said college football has to take another look at the calendar to help alleviate what is happening now. In