Over the last week I've heard three of the 'talking heads' on ESPN's College Football Live talk about these kids entering the transfer portal because of competition. It's been labeled as "being scared of the competition." It's been labeled as "being too impatient to deal with the competition." We've seen a lot of other labels assigned to these kids on different forums like this one.
What I'd like to point out is who these new "takes" are coming from along with the fact this is what we've been pointing to all along.
We talk about Anoma but kids who've just signed in February and are already in the portal hasn't been mentioned a lot. Recently, after Oregon hired the long time Oklahoma assistant softball coach to take over the Duck program, they had over a dozen enter the portal--three of whom are pitchers.
I've said all along...going all the way back to the days when these summer-traveling camps were hitting the southeast...this is a zero sum game. There are no more opportunities in number. There are very few better opportunities IF you're afforded one.
Now, we're seeing that idea suggested as a "counter measure," so to speak.
It's also being suggested by the national media. They're cautioning kids "be careful, you might not have a scholarship if you enter the portal." And, by all means, I can see why a school would do such.
What's the recipe to fix this growing problem?
I'll leave you with what Tom Lugenbill suggested to Trevor Matich yesterday along with a thought on his opinion.
I hesitate a bit on "they need time to make their decision." Yes, that's true. However, I come back to they've through this once so if we're going to allow a recent signee to transfer, what more is there for him to know? All of these pressures were supposed to be softened by having an early signing date, remember? It was intended to allow kids to make better decisions with less pressure.
On a note I consider to be somewhat ironic and definitely mind-boggling...
Mantra 1: Schools should be forced to give student athletes four year scholarships.
Manta 2: Schools should be forced to allow student athletes to leave any time they want.
What I'd like to point out is who these new "takes" are coming from along with the fact this is what we've been pointing to all along.
We talk about Anoma but kids who've just signed in February and are already in the portal hasn't been mentioned a lot. Recently, after Oregon hired the long time Oklahoma assistant softball coach to take over the Duck program, they had over a dozen enter the portal--three of whom are pitchers.
I've said all along...going all the way back to the days when these summer-traveling camps were hitting the southeast...this is a zero sum game. There are no more opportunities in number. There are very few better opportunities IF you're afforded one.
Now, we're seeing that idea suggested as a "counter measure," so to speak.
It's also being suggested by the national media. They're cautioning kids "be careful, you might not have a scholarship if you enter the portal." And, by all means, I can see why a school would do such.
What's the recipe to fix this growing problem?
I'll leave you with what Tom Lugenbill suggested to Trevor Matich yesterday along with a thought on his opinion.
Tom: There's needs to be a time limit. Let's make it two or three days.
Trevor: I believe it needs to be longer. They need the time to make their decision.
Tom: They should have already researched that before hand.
A time limit is a good suggestion. However, as Tom suggests, that's impossible because the players can't talk to other teams without permission, and that permission comes with being in the portal.I hesitate a bit on "they need time to make their decision." Yes, that's true. However, I come back to they've through this once so if we're going to allow a recent signee to transfer, what more is there for him to know? All of these pressures were supposed to be softened by having an early signing date, remember? It was intended to allow kids to make better decisions with less pressure.
On a note I consider to be somewhat ironic and definitely mind-boggling...
Mantra 1: Schools should be forced to give student athletes four year scholarships.
Manta 2: Schools should be forced to allow student athletes to leave any time they want.
