The transfer portal has undoubtedly changed the way college sports work. It has changed recruiting for the graduating senior entering the NCAA hoping to get a spot in their respective sport, as a coach or program can choose to fill a roster spot with a seasoned veteran instead of a incoming freshman that may take time to adapt to the collegiate game.

It has increased transfer activity at a pace that I don’t think the NCAA ever envisioned. It has made it easier for the student-athlete to explore options and transfer without getting their current coach/institution involved. It seems to have empowered the student-athlete to explore options on more playing time, better facilities, different coaches, or just leave a campus that they may not be happy with.

Coaches have had to manage the ever-changing landscape constantly. It has made their jobs much harder and easier at the same time. Harder in the fact that they now have options out there, on what seems to be a daily basis, of players that were not on their recruiting list that muddle up their current plans of what incoming high school students they may want on campus. It has made it easier in the fact that they can address a weakness on their roster with a player that may have already proven themselves on a collegiate field/court. Hard or easy – there are way too many options floating around – you have the entirety of the graduating high school class and then the possibility of every other player in your respective sport being available.

For the fans, it can be seen as a great loss. No team loyalty. No favorite player sticking around for four years…but that stopped a while ago. Your favorite team has a great season and a standout freshman becomes the local star only to be offered cash and an opportunity at a larger school with a deeper collective to pay their players.

Whether you like the portal or not, there is one clear impact it has made; it has changed college sports forever…there is no going back and the teams that may benefit from it may just be the teams that were always at the top anyway.