The NCAA transfer portal opens Friday, giving college football players two weeks to submit their names in the search for fame and fortune, not necessarily in that order.

To borrow from Southwest Airlines’ longtime slogan: “You are now free to move about the country.”

The number of San Diego State players entering the portal is approaching two dozen. SDSU is expected to pluck a similar number of players from the portal as it begins roster reconstruction.

“We are going to be back and better than ever,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said Thursday.

Portal acquisitions last year helped the Aztecs go 9-4 this season after a 3-9 finish in Lewis’ first year. SDSU’s starting lineup in 2025 had transfers at 15 of 22 positions. As things have developed in the recent days and hours, the portal will be even more important this year.

SDSU is expected to move swiftly, bringing potential transfers in for visits this weekend and asking for commitments before they leave campus. The Aztecs will pivot with breakneck speed if recruits can’t commit, employing an act-now-or-get-left-behind philosophy.

There is a substantial number of holes to fill because of graduation and portal losses. Priorities will be at every level of defense, the offensive line, wide receiver and quarterback, where the Aztecs are looking for two transfers to push returning starter Jayden Denegal.

The quarterback room is down to Denegal, walk-on Draiden Trudeau and Class of 2026 signee Brady Campbell. Backup QB Bert Emanuel Jr. is expected to switch to wide receiver, while Kyle Crum and JP Mialovski have said they will transfer.

SDSU is certain of only one returning starter on offense: running back Lucky Sutton. Starting wide receivers Jacob Bostick, Jordan Napier and Donovan Brown also could be back.

Bostick, who, like Napier is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, seems the most solid to be back. Napier and Brown could be tempted to test their value in the portal, though neither made such proclamations this week on social media.

The team knew it was losing starting offensive linemen Christian Jones, Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli and Bayo Kannike to graduation. Starting tackle Joe Borjon publicly confirmed his return last week and starting guard Kalan Ellis is also expected back.

Then offensive line coach Mike Schmidt accepted the same position at Kansas State, and there is a possibility both players could join him.

Borjon said he is discussing all his options with his family. He plans to meet with new SDSU offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle before making a decision. Ellis’ ties to Schmidt run deep. They were together three years ago at Syracuse, and Ellis followed Schmidt to SDSU last season.

The Aztecs have only two confirmed returning starters on defense: tackle Malachi Finau and linebacker Tano Letuli, both of whom have confirmed their return on social media.

Edge Ryan Henderson, who figured to be a starter in 2026, announced this week that he was transferring. So did linebacker Owen Chambliss and safety Dwayne McDougle. Safety Dalesean Staley could follow them into the portal.

Do any of the players follow defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to Nebraska? That’s a question that has been on the minds of several Aztecs fans and could be answered quickly.

Edge rusher Trey White said Thursday night that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal.

“Coming to SDSU was the best decision I’ve ever made,” White told the Union-Tribune. “I’ve created life-long relationships and bonds with not only my teammates and coaches but with the community as well. I will always be an Aztec for Life. I’m hoping to improve and compete at the highest level.”

SDSU’s situation at punter is where the portal madness was best summed up this week. With SDSU starting punter Hunter Green returning, backup punter Tashi Dorje announced on Sunday that he would enter the portal.

Dorje’s tweet was deleted a day later. It seems Green can get a six-figure sum to transfer to a Power Four school. The Redmond, Wash., native is expected to transfer closer to home. His father played at the University of Washington, making it a legacy landing spot.

So Dorje, a walk-on, could stay, with the expecation of getting the scholarship given up by Green. Dorje punted three times for the Aztecs this season. It’s a small sample size, but he did average 50 yards with a long of 60.

SDSU more than tripled the money available for player compensation year-over-year, boosting it to $6 million for the 2026 season. That’s roughly what Texas Tech plans to spend on its defensive line for the coming season, although $6 million does make the Aztecs competitive among their peers in the new Pac-12.