The transfer portal is not helping most schools.
There was a day when college football programs knew exactly what they wanted and who to recruit to fill those needs. That criterion is still there, but it is more about the money the athletes can now make in what has become a semi-pro system.
The can’t-miss prospects want to win championships and make the most money, which is why Beau Atkinson left UNC for defending national champion Ohio State and Amare Campbell went to another Big Ten power Penn State. Not even playing for the legendary Bill Belichick could keep them in Chapel Hill.
For, say, 4- or 3-star prospects, most aren’t going to the NFL and if they play college football, why not get paid at least some spending money? Most of those looking to transfer don’t have anything to show how successful they could be on the field. They will get that chance if coaches like what they see on tape.
Belichick and general manager Mike Lombardi bragged about their ability to evaluate future NFL stars. It turned out easier to do that by scouting developed college players. They have since learned it was much harder projecting kids from high school who would require bodybuilding to judge their true potential.
Every NFL team has an active roster of 53 elite players, plus practice squads with those who are good enough to be promoted if there is an injury at their positions.
College teams can now have as many as 100 scholarship players, half of whom are needed to prepare the starters and back-ups for games once the season starts.
A lot of those on practice squads enter the transfer portal to earn their own playing time on the field elsewhere. Some of them wind up part of the “70 new players” UNC had last year that went 4-8.
Before Belichick’s second season at Carolina, 29 players to date have entered the transfer portal that closes on January 16. They include starting offensive lineman Trevyon Green, wide receiver and return man Chris Culliver, All-ACC honorable mention linebacker Khmori House, tight end Jake Johnson, linebacker Tyler Thompson, who had 7 sacks last season, 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker, who never took a snap, starting quarterback Gio Lopez and two-deep defenders C. J. Mims and D’Antre Robinson. The rest rarely played and are seeking other schools where they can.
So far, several regulars are coming back, including running back Demon June, defensive back Kaleb Cost, star defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude, leading receiver Jordan Shipp and red-shirt senior defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson.
Inside Carolina reports that so far 15 incoming transfers, all 3 stars, are joining the 2026 Tar Heels.
Belichick and Lombardi have signed a freshman and juco class of 39, mostly 3-stars to replace much of last year’s freshmen who are in the portal or no longer playing football. So that is basically trading one first-year class for another, which is hardly building depth.
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Featured image via Maryland Athletics
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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