In recent years, the NCAA’s transfer portal has reshaped the landscape of college sports. Initially introduced to offer athletes more freedom in transferring between schools without penalty, the portal was seen as a necessary step to modernize the system and help many student-athletes. However, as the number of players entering the portal continues to grow each year, many are beginning to question whether the transfer portal has gone too far.
While it has provided more opportunities for athletes, it has also introduced a host of challenges and unintended consequences that are impacting the integrity of college sports. It makes the tradition and pageantry of the sport not feel real and instead makes it feel like the Wild West.
One of the primary criticisms of the transfer portal is that it has led to a massive increase in player movement, which can undermine team stability. College football and basketball teams that once had long-term rosters and deep connections between players are now experiencing constant turnover. The average college athlete today has a much higher likelihood of transferring than in previous decades. Certain teams feel completely different each year, for the better or worse. For example, the Florida Atlantic basketball team that made the Final 4 two years ago is all gone and on different teams because of them being offered more money in the portal, whereas in the old days, we would have seen them stay together. This makes the sport feel unnatural and like players are bought, which we need rules and regulations for.
This constant reshuffling of rosters can affect team chemistry and disrupt the continuity that helps build successful programs. Coaches often have to adjust their game plans and teaching methods to accommodate new players who may not be familiar with the system. In sports like football, where team dynamics and trust are key to success, this disruption can lead to a less cohesive, less effective team. Some coaches love the portal as they can use it to access players they never could before, and other coaches, such as Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy hate it, saying the sport needs “guard rails” and can do all it can to fix this.
Moreover, the rise of the “one-year rental” phenomenon, where athletes transfer in pursuit of immediate playing time or better opportunities, can create a sense of impermanence. These athletes, often top recruits who are highly sought after, may be focused more on their individual goals (e.g., getting to the NFL or NBA) than on contributing to the team’s success over the long term. Just today, Mississippi State freshman WR Mario Craver transferred to Texas A&M after a solid season, because of the rumored NIL and NFL opportunity. In the past, a younger player like that would stick with one school, but transferring up, even in the same conference is a huge thing these days sadly.
I believe college football will need to put rules and regulations in place to have control of this transfer portal, so they can be able to have players stay on one team and not have programs buy way superior teams. It will be hard to keep track of, but something needs to be done in this day and age because the transfer portal is way out of hand.
