Are recruiting classes really that relevant anymore? (1 Viewer)

[Trey W.]

Everyone loves the promise of young, new talent coming to their favorite team. However, with the way the transfer portal has developed is recruiting as necessary as it used to be?

First off, star ratings are judgmental given how different sports entities rate the same players. ESPN could have a player a high 5 star while another has them as a 4 star. Plus, does that player fit into the college team’s scheme and strengths.

Secondly, how stacked is the team at that position. With the entitlement this generation feels they deserve and the me first attitudes, is that player willing to wait his turn if he doesn’t win the starting spot in camp as a freshman? Is the player willing to change positions to get playing time or to benefit the needs of the team over their own?

The transfer portal, IMO has made recruiting less necessary. While it’s still important to try and get players in, we have seen it now since the rule changes, players don’t stick around long. Even players that were starters for really good teams jump ship. Alabama, Ohio St, and other top teams all had starters leave for other schools. I can understand the Bama players because of Saban retiring and not know what the new HC brings. I don’t know if it is because of NIL or what reasons but there is no more loyalty from players any more.

Teams can now pick and choose players that have playing time on the college level, that have showed abilities over a freshman coming out of high school that may take time to develop and train.

I’m not saying the portal is bad, LSU has benefited greatly from it. However, I do feel there need to be serious changes like how long it is open, how long a player should stay at a school before being able to enter, how many times they can enter, etc.

Just curious what everyone’s thoughts are on recruiting and the portal usage. With all the talk of signing day, how teams rank, and future classes, just thought it would be something different to talk about.

 

[Treybad]

Have no clues to the rules about the transfer portal... One rule I would like to see is where you transfer this year you can't enter the NFL draft at the end of the season...

Only allowed to transfer 2 times in a college career....

Once you decide to transfer your are locked in for that season, so no take backs after a coach retires or joins another program....

 

[Bill]

Just curious what everyone’s thoughts are on recruiting and the portal usage. With all the talk of signing day, how teams rank, and future classes, just thought it would be something different to talk about.

The purist in me longs for the old days where kids wanted to play for a school that they loved and stayed on the squad until they reached their maximum draft potential. And when a kid was recruited from afar it was because he knew he’d get a better chance to start and help the team win.

The realist in me knows that money has always played a role in getting top players to don your uniform. All the major football programs violated the NCAA rules because of the money that was at stake for the school. The schools that got caught over the years just accepted the slap on the wrist for a few years.

The best part about the portal and NIL system is that it gives some of the bigger football programs a chance to level the playing field a bit by stacking their rosters with good players that would get benched on teams that have (possibly) better players. (See Joe Burrow) So I’m glad that a kid who might not have gotten a chance to showcase his talents can now improve his stock and also get a little bit of the profits that used to go entirely to the schools at the expense of these talented kids.