The transfer portal is hurting JUCO recruitment.

The sidelines feel crowded as the transfer portal takes away JUCO players time on the field. 

By Alex Diaz, Sports Editor

Photo Illustration by Taylor Cowhey

A roster brimming with nearly 3,000 Division I players awaits their chance in a digital marketplace known as the transfer portal. While the checkout line fills quickly, JUCO players find themselves left on the sidelines, seeking their opportunity for a moment in the spotlight.

The transfer portal was introduced in 2018 when the NCAA created “a compliance tool to systematically manage the transfer process from start to finish.” In short, a database. Before the portal, players had to inform their coaches they wanted to transfer, who would then pass along the information through word of mouth. 

Now, it's all in one place.

“I feel like the best players will get recruited whether they’re at the JUCO level or in the transfer portal,” said Valley outside linebacker Tierre Bulter. “The transfer portal gives p more freedom to choose the school they feel is best for them.”

In an article published by The Athletic titled “Has the transfer portal killed junior college recruiting? Someone had taken my scholarship” by Grace Raynor, Manny Navarro, and Sam Khan Jr., the data shows that in 2018, Power Five schools signed 128 junior college players. 

However, taking a glance three years later in 2021, the number of signees leveled out to just 45. 

Over the past five years, the decline is linked to coaches prioritizing FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) players, with some looking at FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) players. The logic behind this is that FBS players are typically in strong physical condition and have much of their eligibility left from their previous school, making the transition quicker. Recruiting JUCO players is often a more time-consuming and involved process for these programs.

“It hurts us a lot since bigger programs can grab guys out of higher levels like it's nothing putting less attention on JUCO players,” said Valley kick returner Daylen Ortiz. “At the end of the day, it's all business, and everyone is just trying to win.

The transfer portal has enhanced athlete mobility but has also made the jobs of college coaches more challenging. Coaches must continually recruit players, including those already on their teams. They must focus on retaining their current players and recruiting from the portal, as those who don’t adapt risk being left behind. 

The portal has changed the dynamics of recruiting, with programs increasingly looking to acquire experienced players from higher-level conferences. This has created a competitive arms race, as coaches continuously seek potential transfers to enhance their teams, aware that their rivals are doing the same. Amidst this competition, they tend to overlook JUCO athletes and even upcoming high school prospects.

“When it comes to my story, the JUCO route was the only choice I had,” said Ortiz. “I believe if you stand out at any program, they will find you since JUCO is where most of us are just trying to prove our worth.”

The transfer portal gives athletes more control over their careers, but it also comes with risks. 

New NCAA rules allow coaches to revoke scholarships for athletes who enter the portal, effectively walking away from their current scholarship. While the portal offers the potential for a better opportunity, many athletes won’t find a good landing spot—or any landing spot at all. 

It’s like a nationwide game of musical chairs, where limited scholarships mean some athletes could end up without a place to go. 

Athletes must also be aware that leaving a school doesn’t reset their career to where they left off. A highly-ranked recruit who didn’t perform well at a Power Five school might struggle to find another big opportunity. For athletes from lower divisions, the portal may not offer much better options either, possibly leading them to fall even further down the ladder.

“Coming out of high school, schools overlooked me,” said Bulter. “Coming to JUCO has put me on coaches radar and has given me an opportunity to compete at the next.” 

The transfer portal has created a crowded field of players waiting for their last chance. This has led to an environment where JUCO and high school players may face fewer opportunities to transfer or advance to the highest level of college football. While there's always room for improvement, the transfer portal will continue to thrive for FBS programs.