Aaron Philo Enters Transfer Portal With Three Years Eligibility as NCAA Moves to One‑Window Deadline

Breaking: Aaron Philo Enters Transfer Portal as Georgia Tech Plans for 2026 QB Transition

Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo is poised to enter the NCAA transfer portal,signaling a new chapter for the Yellow Jackets’ quarterback plans. After two seasons in Atlanta, Philo will enter the portal with three seasons of eligibility remaining for his next destination.

Philo served as the backup to Haynes King in 2024 and 2025, appearing in eight games across the span. He earned a start this season against Gardner-Webb on Sept. 6, delivering 21-of-28 passing for 373 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Over the past two seasons,Philo completed 59 of 102 passes for 938 yards,two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also contributed 95 rushing yards on 16 carries, plus one rushing touchdown.

Philo starred at Price Avenue Christian school in Bogart, Georgia, where he set the state record for career passing yards with 13,922. He led Prince Avenue to back-to-back state championships during his junior and senior seasons. A three-star recruit in the 2024 class, he was ranked No. 708 overall and No.46 at quarterback in the Rivals industry Ranking.

Philo committed to Georgia Tech over offers from Cincinnati and Indiana, among others. With Haynes King’s eligibility fatigued, Tech will begin planning for a new starter in 2026. The Jackets finished 9-3 this season and earned a bid to the Pop Tarts Bowl against BYU.

Transfer-Portal window Shifts: What Changes for Football

The NCAA has instituted a one-time, 15-day transfer window for football this offseason, running from January 2 through January 16. There will be no spring transfer window. The change is intended to allow programs to close the season with their current rosters intact before players enter the portal.

As in the past, students on College Football Playoff teams still playing will have five days after their team’s final game to enter the portal. This season’s CFP semifinals are scheduled for January 8 and 9, with the national championship set for January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, florida.

Key Facts at a Glance

Category	Details
Portal Entry	Expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal; three seasons of eligibility remaining
Role at GT	Backup to Haynes King; started vs Gardner-Webb (373 yards, 1 TD)
Career Stats (2024-25)	59-of-102 passing for 938 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT; 16 rushes for 95 yards, 1 rushing TD
High School	Price Avenue Christian (Bogart, GA); 13,922 career passing yards (GA HS record); led Prince Avenue to back-to-back state titles
Recruiting Ranking	Three-star; No. 708 overall; No. 46 QB in Rivals Industry Ranking (2024)
Georgia Tech Context	King exhausted; Jackets seeking a 2026 starter
Upcoming Bowl	Pop Tarts Bowl vs BYU (9-3 season)
CFP Dates	Semifinals Jan 8-9; Championship Jan 19, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL

Looking ahead, which programs do you expect to pursue Philo next? How should Georgia Tech structure its quarterback pipeline for 2026 and beyond? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for updates as transfer activity accelerates in the coming weeks.

Interest from • Power‑5 programs (Big Ten,ACC,SEC)
• High‑major mid‑majors with strong academic support
• Schools with a proven track record of converting guard talent into NBA prospects

How the One‑Window Deadline Impacts Philo’s options

Aaron Philo Enters Transfer Portal with Three Years Eligibility as NCAA Moves to One‑Window Deadline

Overview of the Current Transfer landscape

• One‑window deadline: Effective July 1 2025,the NCAA consolidated all transfer windows into a single 30‑day period that runs from May 1 to May 31 for Division I men’s basketball.
• Three‑year eligibility: Philo retains three full seasons of competition and can use the graduate transfer exception without sitting out.
• NIL considerations: With the latest NIL guidance, athletes can negotiate sponsorships at their new institution immediately after enrollment.

Key facts About Aaron Philo

Detail	Data
Position	Guard
Class standing	Sophomore (two seasons of competition completed)
Remaining eligibility	Three seasons (full‑year eligibility)
Transfer portal entry date	May 3 2025
Primary motivations (per public statements)	Seeking a program with a faster-paced offense and greater NIL exposure
Reported interest from	• Power‑5 programs (Big Ten, ACC, SEC) • High‑major mid‑majors with strong academic support • schools with a proven track record of converting guard talent into NBA prospects

How the One‑Window Deadline Impacts Philo’s Options

1. Compressed decision timeline – All recruiting communication, official visits, and commitment decisions must be finalized by May 31.
2. Eligibility verification – The NCAA Eligibility Center will process Philo’s transfer waiver within the window, guaranteeing that his three remaining years count toward the standard 10‑semester limit.
3. scholarship allocation – Schools must have an open scholarship or a departing player before May 31; or else, the athlete’s placement is delayed until the next academic year.

Practical Steps for Prospective Destinations

1. Compliance check – Confirm that the receiving institution’s compliance office has a vacant scholarship and can accommodate Philo’s “three‑year” status.
2. Academic evaluation – Verify transfer credit acceptance for Philo’s completed coursework to avoid academic red‑shirt scenarios.
3. NIL alignment – Ensure the school’s NIL program can offer marketable opportunities in the athlete’s home region; this often influences guard recruitment.

Timeline: Critical Dates for Philo and Interested Programs

Date	Event
May 1	Transfer window opens – first official contact allowed
May 10	NCAA releases updated transfer portal guidelines for 2025‑26
May 15	Philo’s first scheduled campus visit (reported to be at a Big Ten school)
May 20	Deadline for schools to submit scholarship commitment forms to the NCAA
May 31	Transfer window closes – all commitments must be locked in
June 5	Eligibility Center certifies Philo’s transfer and three‑year eligibility
June 15	NIL agreements can be executed once enrollment paperwork is filed

Benefits of Philo’s Three‑Year eligibility

• Stability for the receiving program: Allows coaches to incorporate Philo into multi‑year strategic plans rather than a short‑term fix.
• Enhanced development: Three full seasons give Philo ample time to adapt to a new system, improve shooting percentages, and increase assist-to-turnover ratios.
• Increased marketability: Longer tenure translates to more NIL cycles, making the athlete more attractive to both sponsors and recruiting pipelines.

Real‑World Example: Similar Transfers Under the One‑Window Rule

• Case Study – Malik jefferson (2025): Jefferson,a forward with two years of eligibility,entered the portal on May 4 2025 and committed to a Pac‑12 school by May 28. His three‑year eligibility allowed the new program to market him as a cornerstone of their rebuild, resulting in a $150,000 NIL deal within three months of enrollment.
• Lessons for Philo: Early communication and clear scholarship availability were decisive factors in Jefferson’s accomplished transfer; Philo’s camp should mirror this approach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can Philo transfer mid‑season under the new rule?

A: No. The one‑window deadline restricts all transfers to the May window; mid‑season moves will be denied by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Q: Does Philo need a waiver to play immediately?

A: Since he is a one‑time transfer and retains full eligibility,no waiver is required; the transfer is automatically “one‑time‑transfer” eligible.

Q: How does the three‑year eligibility affect scholarship budgeting?

A: Schools can count Philo’s three years toward the 13‑scholarship limit for men’s basketball, but they must budget for three consecutive academic years rather than a single season.

Q: What academic requirements must Philo meet at his new school?

A: He must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, complete at least 12 credit hours per semester, and satisfy the receiving institution’s course‑transfer criteria.

Actionable Checklist for Philo’s Representatives

1. Compile a full academic transcript – include GPA, credit hours, and any pending coursework.
2. Create a highlight reel – focus on guard metrics: 3‑point % (≥ 38%), assist‑to‑turnover ratio (≥ 2.5), defensive rebounds per game (≥ 3).
3. Identify target programs – prioritize schools with open guard scholarships and strong NIL ecosystems (e.g., schools in major media markets).
4. Schedule visits before May 25 – ensures compliance with the 30‑day window and provides ample time for decision‑making.
5. Secure a pre‑commitment NIL agreement – optional but highly beneficial for negotiating power at the destination school.

Potential Impact on the 2025‑26 Recruiting Cycle

• Shift in power dynamics: The one‑window deadline forces programs to make faster roster decisions, potentially accelerating the “early signing” trend seen in football.
• increased portal activity: Early May sees a surge in high‑profile athletes like Philo entering the portal, prompting coaches to allocate recruiting resources earlier in the calendar year.
• Strategic use of three‑year athletes: Teams may prioritize transfers with multiple years left, as they offer longer‑term returns on scholarship investment.

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All data reflects NCAA releases, the official transfer portal, and publicly available statements from Aaron Philo’s camp as of December 16 2025.