College football's transfer portal is closed, but thanks to track and field, UCLA WR Karson Gordon is in it anyways

College football’s transfer portal window is closed. But UCLA wide receiver Karson Gordon is transferring anyway. And it’s entirely legal within NCAA rules.

Gordon is also a part of UCLA’s track and field team. Since the track and field transfer portal is currently open, Gordon is eligible to put his name in that transfer portal and find a new school — even though he plans to play football at his next destination, according to On3.

The former quarterback signee has been a dual-sport athlete with the Bruins while also competing as a triple jumper. He won a Texas state championship in the triple jump before signing with UCLA out of high school.

He moved to receiver this spring under new UCLA coach Bob Chesney after he was a quarterback in 2025. Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava was the Bruins’ QB a season ago after he made a late transfer from Knoxville. Iamaleava’s brother Madden is also on the UCLA roster as a quarterback.

Gordon may have an uphill climb to find immediate playing time at his new school. Because of his late transfer, he’s already missed spring practices elsewhere.

His transfer shouldn’t also be considered an immediate loophole for other college athletes to exploit, either. There are very few dual-sport athletes in college athletics. The opportunity to transfer that Gordon has isn’t available to many and is difficult to replicate.