College football’s implementation of NIL and the transfer portal has shaken up college recruitment and students’ loyalty to schools, as it has been popularized by players profiting off their name, image, and likeness.

The college football transfer portal was first launched in 2018. It allows players to transfer unlimited times, effectively capitalizing on all opportunities offered. This has changed the dynamics of college sports, with coaches still determining whether players will stay all four years or transfer after a year or two for more money and opportunities.

Even though the implementation of NIL and the transfer portal is supposed to be favorable for athletes, many are feeling it’s the opposite.

Director of College Admissions Polly Kimberly commented on the effect of the implementation of the transfer portal and NIL:

Ms. Kimberly continued, “I’m guessing that the motivation was to be as fair as possible to the athletes, to favor the athletes in the process … but now college coaches don’t know whether they’re going to have their player for four years, so there’s less trust, I guess, between coaches and athletes, and that’s probably a little problematic for team morale overall.”

The overall mentality of coaches has shifted from looking for the best athletes to looking for committed athletes who show loyalty.

Math teacher and former SCH football coach Lance Ramer said, “So of course, with the name, it becomes more resources, becomes more money … the transfer portal has made it increasingly more difficult for the small schools … So I love that the playing field is like, kind of level for the players as much as for the coaches, but I think it all is a problem.”

Coach Ramer also mentioned why colleges might be holding back on recruiting high school kids and why many coaches have needed help adjusting.

“I think one of the colleges just came out and proved that they can pay the players straight up. So … I think it’s part of the reason why … why Nick Saban and some of these guys have got out, it’s a lot less from coaching and a lot more marketing. And you know, what are you going to do for me? How much am I going to make out of this? So I think you’re right that people are making decisions based on dollar figures, and sometimes outweighing where the best fit is even playing, not to mention the school part.”

NIL and the transfer portal have shaken up college football and continue to grow in popularity.