Within the last year there has been increased conversation over the ethics of the college sports transfer portal. The transfer portal is a process where college athletes are able to enter a database where other programs are able to recruit them to their teams. Many athletes, after just one year of committing to their college, make the decision to enter the transfer portal in hopes of being recruited by another school. Many athletes transfer due to better coaching in other programs, wanting more opportunities or even switching programs for academic reasons. These athletes have the ability to visit other campuses and remove their name from the portal if they make the final decision to stay at their original school. On the other hand, if an athlete remains in the portal, the recruitments go fast compared to the initial high school recruitment process. Women’s volleyball, football and men’s basketball have the highest number of athletes who entered the transfer portal within the past two years. According to ESPN after the 2023 season, 25% of athletes with scholarships transferred schools.
The women’s college volleyball programs took a major hit with the transfer portal this year with many star players making the decision to transfer at the end of the 2024 season. Some include starting outside hitter from the University of Pittsburgh Torrey Stafford, starting setter from the University of Texas Averi Carlson and Purdue outside hitter Chloe Chicoine. These athletes had many reasons for transferring including playing time and the program simply not being the right fit for them anymore. However, in Carlson’s case, one of the main reasons for her transfer was the slander she was receiving for taking over former national champ, Ella Swindle’s, starting setter position. The portal was a chance for her to remove herself from a situation where fans made her feel unwelcome. Carlson will be playing for Southern Methodist University this upcoming fall in hopes of having a more positive season.
As for college football, many top players decided to transfer after this past season with 12 players within the top 50 transfers, ultimately ending up at a Big 10 school. The coaching change for the Purdue football team had a significant impact on the transfers this year. Tight end Max Klare and safety Dillon Thieneman from Purdue entered the portal in mid to late December. Klare ultimately committed to reigning national champions, Ohio State University, and Thieneman transferred to the University of Oregon. Unlike Purdue, schools like Ohio State were able to keep some of their top players, including wide receiver Carnell Tate. With the transfer portal increasing in popularity, it has become evident for top schools to keep a hold on their key athletes in order to maintain success for their next season.
Additionally, college basketball is the second most viewed college sport in the country. This highlights players to showcase their skills for both fans and future coaches in the NBA. With that being said, much like football and volleyball, athletes have many reasons for transferring. Within the first day of the portal opening to players, 300 athletes entered. According to ESPN, by the time the portal was closed almost 2,000 players had entered. These numbers have skyrocketed within recent years displaying the newly found popularity of the transfer portal.
All athletes have reasons for choosing their initial programs, and the portal gives them a chance to make the switch if the program is not benefiting their wants or needs. However, many college sports fans find the portal to be controversial. Some fans see the portal as a negative impact on the competitive atmosphere and believe it takes away the loyalty athletes should have to their coaches and teammates. Having the portal open does not allow for programs that are more under the radar to build up over the years if all of their top athletes are transferring to large schools like those in the Big 10. The portal additionally puts extra pressure on coaching staff to remain successful or else it may lead to them losing their key players. Not only do the coaches suffer, but fans find it difficult to connect with teams if their favorite players keep leaving.
The college sport’s transfer portal has many positive and negative impacts on players, coaches and fans which will ultimately have a major effect on team dynamics for years to come.
Over the next few years, fans will be waiting to see if the college transfer portal will continue to increase in popularity for athletes or if its defects will prevent it from maintaining its growth and send it into obscurity.
