Re: Portal problems (half throw away scholarships)

Portal problems (half throw away scholarships)

I really hate what this chasing greener grass aspect does for these kids, since it basically ends with half of them having thrown away their scholarships.

"In 2021, only half (50%) of the 9,567 athletes who entered the transfer portal enrolled at another NCAA school"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/what-happens-to-college-athletes-who-don-t-get-picked-up-in-the-transfer-portal/ar-AA1DtIVD

For athletes who enter the NCAA transfer portal and aren’t recruited by a comparable program, their future paths can differ drastically. One common outcome is transferring to a lower competition level, such as NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA, or junior college (JUCO).

However, some athletes find themselves without an athletic home. In these cases, they may lose their scholarship entirely and face the prospect of funding their education independently if they wish to remain at their original school or transfer as a student.

The risks are particularly high for college basketball players. Once they enter the portal, their current school is no longer obligated to retain them on the team or scholarship. Many programs quickly recruit replacements, leaving unchosen players without a team or financial aid.

Unsigned athletes in the NCAA transfer portal may have the option to return to their original teams, but it’s not a common outcome. Once a player enters the portal, their current school is under no obligation to retain them on scholarship or guarantee a roster spot.

Coaches often act quickly to recruit replacements, making it difficult for athletes to rejoin their former teams.

In 2021, only half (50%) of the 9,567 athletes who entered the transfer portal enrolled at another NCAA school, while 43% either continued searching for opportunities, transferred to non-NCAA schools, or left their sport altogether. The remaining athletes withdrew from the portal. While returning to the original school is an option for some, it is contingent on factors like the coach’s decision, roster needs, and academic considerations.

Swarley

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It just speaks to the absurdity of the narrative of the oppressed athlete and

Apr 25, 2025, 11:38 AM [ in reply to Re: Portal problems (half throw away scholarships) ]

the empowerment of the current structure.

Undoubtedly, you can point to examples of transfers that have benefitted. The Joe Burrows of the world. But on the whole, it seems a disaster.

From the article:
"In 2021, only half (50%) of the 9,567 athletes who entered the transfer portal enrolled at another NCAA school, while 43% either continued searching for opportunities, transferred to non-NCAA schools, or left their sport altogether."

First of all, we really need to lock in on the data. There's no reason there isn't real time statistics on portal engagement.

Second, think about that stat.

9,567 portal athletes.
4,114 (43%) of which continued searching for opportunities, transferred to non-NCAA schools or left the sport.

Let's take those three scenarios:

Continued searching for opportunities: No idea what this means, but it doesn't scream "on a team or in a university pursuing an education that will benefit him or her for their entire lives."

Transferred to non-NCAA school: A non-NCAA school!?! I don't have the data but I would argue that 99%+ of these situations result in a lower opportunity for that student athlete. Virtually none of these kids are failing in the transfer portal and then going to the University of Chicago (although they are NCAA D3...not sure what non-NCAA school would be an academic improvement). I would assume (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the schools these kids end up at are small, regional schools without nearly the alumni network, career placement or name recognition of the place they just left.

Left the sport: Great. Maybe it's the right move. But if it is a kid on full scholarship, "Left the sport" is a ticket to either no college education or massive student debt.

All bad results.

And then add to that your comment..."you are assuming that players willingly enter the portal and aren't told to GTFO like the SEC did even before the portal." ANOTHER problem with the portal. It further defines the student/program relationship as transactional. Coaches are more empowered, and more justified, to send a kid packing if they can upgrade. It's basically expected! Yeah, some of that happened before but it was few and far between, often was related to matters beyond just on-field abilities, and was generally looked down on. It was a black-eye for the program and a practice that a good program could point to in their recruiting. "Hey mom, when your kid signs with me, he's on the team for four years...unlike Ole Miss that will drop him because he's not panning out the way they had hoped."

It's just such a shame and such a mess. I can't believe what we had and what we turned it into.

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Portal problems (half throw away scholarships)