Texas Tech kicker Upton Bellenfant will enter the transfer portal Jan. 2 after losing the starting job, but he may still suit up in the CFP before moving on.
The timing couldn't be trickier, but it's the nature of the College Football Playoff era.
As No. 4 Texas Tech gears up for its Orange Bowl showdown on New Year's Day, redshirt junior kicker Upton Bellenfant has announced his plan to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2, just one day after the quarterfinal clash.
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Bellenfant, who started the 2025 season in a kicking competition with Stone Harrington, eventually lost out to the Lou Groza Award semifinalist midway through the year.
While Bellenfant converted all six of his field goal attempts, none came beyond 33 yards, and he also hit 14 of 16 extra points before fading from the active rotation. His last game appearance came against Oklahoma State.
Despite the impending transfer, Bellenfant made it clear in a post on X that he's still committed ... at least temporarily.
"I will continue with this team for as long as the NCAA calendar allows," he wrote.
That likely means he's available for the Red Raiders' playoff game before officially hitting the portal when it opens.
It's a tough end to a long and winding college career for Bellenfant, who started as a zero-star recruit and walk-on at Alabama before transferring to Buffalo.
There, he thrived, going 18-of-21 on field goals, 8-of-10 from 40-plus yards, and earning All-MAC Third Team honors. He parlayed that breakout into a shot at Texas Tech, where he was named to the Lou Groza Watch List and Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team heading into 2025.
Unfortunately, the depth at kicker in Lubbock meant limited opportunity.
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All three kickers - Bellenfant, Harrington, and Ian Hershey - are redshirt juniors. Harrington is expected to retain the starting role in 2026, and Hershey is likely to slot in as the backup, barring any other portal movement.
For Bellenfant, who still holds one year of eligibility, this is a chance to finish his college career somewhere where he can once again be the guy.
With a strong track record and Groza credentials, he should be one of the most sought-after kickers in the portal this offseason.
Texas Tech may not have seen the last of him yet ... but the clock is ticking.