Great article on the transfer portal garbage

[Herd020]

This one line says it all......A Power 5 defensive coordinator told VanHaaren he wouldn't bother recruiting high school players if he was at a place like Ball State. If he helps turn that player into an all-MAC type, "A school like us is going to come take him."

Welcome to college football's new 'wild, wild West': The era of tampering

Tampering officially arrived in college football this offseason, leaving coaches to both lament the current state of the game -- and try to keep up.

www.espn.com

 

[Aaron Perkins]

There is literally nothing new. The only difference is that now they dont have to sit out a year. The actual portal is just a way that now everyone knows who is transferring. I would bet the "tampering" was a lot worse in years past because it could be done without anyone really even knowing. Now at least everyone knows, and the school that the player is leaving, can plan accordingly.

 

[herdfan429]

There is literally nothing new. The only difference is that now they dont have to sit out a year. The actual portal is just a way that now everyone knows who is transferring. I would bet the "tampering" was a lot worse in years past because it could be done without anyone really even knowing. Now at least everyone knows, and the school that the player is leaving, can plan accordingly.

Bull shit it’s nothing new. There are 55 basketball players from all 15 acc schools in the transfer portal.

 

[Aaron Perkins]

You dont think 55 student athletes have looked to transfer each and every year for the past 20 years? YOu just didnt know about it because the Portal wasnt there.

 

[Herd020]

Anyone who thinks this transfer portal is a good thing for small schools is wrong. Whether it was done in the past or not, all this has done is make it legal for the small schools to be the minor leagues for the giants. It further widens the gap between the five preferred conferences and the rest of college football.

 

[Jartard]

Anyone who thinks this transfer portal is a good thing for small schools is wrong. Whether it was done in the past or not, all this has done is make it legal for the small schools to be the minor leagues for the giants. It further widens the gap between the five preferred conferences and the rest of college football.

Agreed! The proof is in the pudding as they say. We lose an All-American OL and gain a couple of defensive guys from FCS teams that aren’t that good.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

Anyone who thinks this transfer portal is a good thing for small schools is wrong.

I've never seen anyone say the portal is GOOD for Marshall but I agree with Aaron that it is not the end of the world.

Marshall has lost exactly one player of significance to the transfer portal this year (Cain Madden). Logan Clark and Zack Ferris were never going to contribute.

On the other hand, we've gained Deuce Leggs, Jayden Harrison, Shane Simmons, LeAnthony Williams and Cory McCoy. Will any of those five incoming transfers be as good a Madden? Probably not. But I'd bet a decent amount of money a couple of them turn into very good contributors. At worst we're at an even net.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

Agreed! The proof is in the pudding as they say. We lose an All-American OL and gain a couple of defensive guys from FCS teams that aren’t that good.

We also gained these two:

 

[Jartard]

We also gained these two:

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Which would have looked huge had they been high school recruits, but the college production hasn’t been there for them. Granted Clemson has been a different monster and is loaded year in and year out.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

Which would have looked huge had they been high school recruits, but the college production hasn’t been there for them. Granted Clemson has been a different monster and is loaded year in and year out.

I agree.

But as a counterpoint; do we think Madden is an all-American at Clemson or Penn State?

Look at Obi Obialo and Ty Tyler. Incredibly productive players at MU who did next to nothing at P5 schools.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

Also - don't forget Madden's likely replacement is a P5 transfer who saw a good amount of PT at UNC.

 

[Jartard]

Wait, Simmons has been in college for SEVEN years?!?!

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

Wait, Simmons has been in college for SEVEN years?!?!

Fairly certain 2021 will be his sixth in college. He red-shirted and battled through some injuries at PSU.

 

[herdalicious]

The transfer portal is like a sorting machine, moving better talent upward, while top programs shed their unproductive scholarships and send those players downward. Schools like Marshall develop talent and then lose them to bigger schools, while replacing them with 2nd and 3rd string players that failed to make an impact.

Like the calculus above that seems to say, "sure we lost Cain Madden, the heart of our offensive line and probably the best player left on our roster, but we picked up two 4-star recruits! Look at our rankings!" Those 4-star recruits graduated high school in 2017, are now in their early 20's, and couldn't make it onto the field at their previous schools. Does anyone not think they were over-rated in 2017?

The big difference this year is that the NCAA is waiving the transfer year, a change that is about to become permanent, meaning any player that comes to Marshall has a get-out-of-Huntington free card in their back pocket that they can use anytime in their Herd career to head for greener pastures without penalty. You guys really think that's good news for Marshall?

 

[The Real SamC]

The only difference is that now they dont have to sit out a year.

Which is the whole point.

Disloyal POS? Before, huge penalty for not living up to your word. Something to consider. Weigh the positives and the negatives. Has to be a really extreme situation to justify paying that penalty.

Now? Nothing. Just be a "free agent" and move around from place to place. No loyalty expected.

And when the NIL, AKA pay the players idiocy come in, it will be outright bidding wars. The NCAA is rapidly killing itself.

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

The transfer portal is like a sorting machine, moving better talent upward

Which is why it is silly to dismiss kids like Cory McCoy and Deuce Leggs simply because they came to us from FCS programs (not that you did).

Those 4-star recruits graduated high school in 2017, are now in their early 20's, and couldn't make it onto the field at their previous schools. Does anyone not think they were over-rated in 2017?

Simmons and Williams both played at Penn State and Clemson, respectively. Simmons started two games last year.

And yes, they were probably overrated out of high school. But there's a lot of gray area between being an overrated top 100 recruit and being able to contribute at Marshall.

The big difference this year is that the NCAA is waiving the transfer year.

Not really. The only difference is now we don't have to pretend Ty Tyler and Obi Obialo were getting MBAs from OU and Louisville.

You guys really think that's good news for Marshall?

No. Just not the end of the world.

Now, if Grant develops into the type of QB I think he can be (which is a totally awesome one) and Ohio State plucks him right before his senior year; I reserve the right to do a 180 on this post and burn this entire motha to the ground.

 

[JudgeDD]

Scouting report on Shane Simmons: He is now 6' 3", 247. He has had a few injuries but still flirted with starting, and was in on rotation on Penn State's DL. He showed some promise but was perhaps a step slow as an edge rusher in the B1G. Great student, solid character. Everyone loved him and wishes him luck. Don't be surprised to see him in the starting lineup day 1.

 

[i am herdman]

There is literally nothing new. The only difference is that now they dont have to sit out a year. The actual portal is just a way that now everyone knows who is transferring. I would bet the "tampering" was a lot worse in years past because it could be done without anyone really even knowing. Now at least everyone knows, and the school that the player is leaving, can plan accordingly.

what? this is a game changing scenario. I disagree.

 

[i am herdman]

I've never seen anyone say the portal is GOOD for Marshall but I agree with Aaron that it is not the end of the world.

Marshall has lost exactly one player of significance to the transfer portal this year (Cain Madden). Logan Clark and Zack Ferris were never going to contribute.

On the other hand, we've gained Deuce Leggs, Jayden Harrison, Shane Simmons, LeAnthony Williams and Cory McCoy. Will any of those five incoming transfers be as good a Madden? Probably not. But I'd bet a decent amount of money a couple of them turn into very good contributors. At worst we're at an even net.

where I see it as a problem is that we become a minor league or tryout for the P5 conferences. Let's say a starter goes to a SEC school a does well he also raises his draft status tremendously. That is the concern.

Just think if this was around when Moss was here. He leaves Marshall after year 1 of dominating and goes back to a P5 school. Or you lose a Pennington. Heck you could lose guys just to go be depth or role players in the SEC or other P5 programs.

This is changing the landscape of college sports.

 

[Aaron Perkins]

Like Chris just said. We may lose a Pennington and pick up 6 Jerrald Long's or Juwon Youngs. Are they Heisman level players, no, but how many Chad Penningtons have we had since then?

Show up and support the team, sale the place out no matter how we are doing, and the coaches have to constantly recruit and make kids happy.

Is what it is.

I fully believe it will help schools like Marshall out more than it will hurt.

 

[HerdFan73]

There is literally nothing new. The only difference is that now they dont have to sit out a year.

What? Nothing new? To be able to transfer and not sit out is a GARGANTUAN change.

 

[Herd020]

where I see it as a problem is that we become a minor league or tryout for the P5 conferences. Let's say a starter goes to a SEC school a does well he also raises his draft status tremendously. That is the concern.

Just think if this was around when Moss was here. He leaves Marshall after year 1 of dominating and goes back to a P5 school. Or you lose a Pennington. Heck you could lose guys just to go be depth or role players in the SEC or other P5 programs.

This is changing the landscape of college sports

This is exactly my point!!!! It's KILLING college sports!

 

[Aaron Perkins]

How is it killing college sports. The great thing about College Football is it has always been, and will always be about name on the front of the jersey, and not the name on the back of the jersey.

It is great when they players stick around and become a part of our communities forever, but sadly, number 62 is gone from our program, and we will have another number 62 shortly. But both have MARSHALL on the front. That will never change in college sports.

That is what makes college sports so awesome.

 

[oldeherd]

Which is why it is silly to dismiss kids like Cory McCoy and Deuce Leggs simply because they came to us from FCS programs (not that you did).


Simmons and Williams both played at Penn State and Clemson, respectively. Simmons started two games last year.

And yes, they were probably overrated out of high school. But there's a lot of gray area between being an overrated top 100 recruit and being able to contribute at Marshall.



Not really. The only difference is now we don't have to pretend Ty Tyler and Obi Obialo were getting MBAs from OU and Louisville.



No. Just not the end of the world.

Now, if Grant develops into the type of QB I think he can be (which is a totally awesome one) and Ohio State plucks him right before his senior year; I reserve the right to do a 180 on this post and burn this entire motha to the ground.

Anyone recall the former starting D lineman (end?) at MU couple of seasons ago who transferred to Louisville for his last season? I don't exactly recall that he set the world on fire with the CARDS or even played that much! Grass doesn't ALWAYS turn out to be "greener" in a perceived bigger pasture!!

 

[herdalicious]

Like Chris just said. We may lose a Pennington and pick up 6 Jerrald Long's or Juwon Youngs. Are they Heisman level players, no, but how many Chad Penningtons have we had since then?

Try this: remove Senior Chad Pennington from the 1999 roster and replace him with Freshman Byron Leftwich. Swapping out one NFL quarterback for another.

That said, does the best season in Marshall football history still happen?

It's not just that we will lose more of our best players, its that we will lose our best players' best years.

 

[Jartard]

Everyone is riding the soccer train at the moment. What’s preventing an SEC school that doesn’t currently have a soccer team from starting a team and poaching ALL of our starters? Granted that’s not likely to happen, but it’s entirely possible at the moment.

Also, how do you hold coaches to a standard when you are an AD now when their best players can be poached?

 

[Herd020]

How is it killing college sports. The great thing about College Football is it has always been, and will always be about name on the front of the jersey, and not the name on the back of the jersey.

It is great when they players stick around and become a part of our communities forever, but sadly, number 62 is gone from our program, and we will have another number 62 shortly. But both have MARSHALL on the front. That will never change in college sports.

That is what makes college sports so awesome.

It's very simple. The small schools will become even more feeder schools for the big boys. The Big 5 conferences have already monopolized the playoffs. And you can say all you want about we will get more players in return. They're not the same caliber. Schools like Marshall have succeeded by finding the diamond in the rough. Now, Coaches spend time seasoning that diamond, only to have it be put on a P5 finger. This is becoming nothing more than the minor leagues.

 

[herdfan429]

How is it killing college sports. The great thing about College Football is it has always been, and will always be about name on the front of the jersey, and not the name on the back of the jersey.

It is great when they players stick around and become a part of our communities forever, but sadly, number 62 is gone from our program, and we will have another number 62 shortly. But both have MARSHALL on the front. That will never change in college sports.

That is what makes college sports so awesome.

Bullshit. Yes it’s about the name on the front but if the name on the back constantly changes it will absolutely hurt colleges, especially like Marshall. No matter what you believe, and honestly I think you troll more often than not, support for college athletics revolves around relationships. Fans form relationships with players if it’s a revolving door those relationships don’t form and interest wanes

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Everyone is riding the soccer train at the moment. What’s preventing an SEC school that doesn’t currently have a soccer team from starting a team and poaching ALL of our starters? Granted that’s not likely to happen, but it’s entirely possible at the moment.

Also, how do you hold coaches to a standard when you are an AD now when their best players can be poached?

Cocaine and hookers.

 

[Jartard]

Cocaine and hookers.

Jose Pitino coach soccer?

 

[Catfanatic1979v1]

They should have waived the one year sitout rule for freshman and sophomores only. That would solve quite a bit of fans anxiety about the matter.

 

[i am herdman]

Try this: remove Senior Chad Pennington from the 1999 roster and replace him with Freshman Byron Leftwich. Swapping out one NFL quarterback for another.

That said, does the best season in Marshall football history still happen?

It's not just that we will lose more of our best players, its that we will lose our best players' best years.

Yep and teams like Marshall do better when we have experienced upper classmen.

Just wait until one of these big schools figures out our persuades their admissions department to take most of the transfers credit hours.

Come on to the SEC son, play at the highest level and we will take all 114 hours you took at Marshall.

 

[i am herdman]

Hell the Duke's, UNC's, and Kentucky's of the world are having trouble dealing with it in basketball but you don't think it will hurt Marshall? Cmonnnnn

 

[i am herdman]

The transfer portal is like a sorting machine, moving better talent upward, while top programs shed their unproductive scholarships and send those players downward. Schools like Marshall develop talent and then lose them to bigger schools, while replacing them with 2nd and 3rd string players that failed to make an impact.

Like the calculus above that seems to say, "sure we lost Cain Madden, the heart of our offensive line and probably the best player left on our roster, but we picked up two 4-star recruits! Look at our rankings!" Those 4-star recruits graduated high school in 2017, are now in their early 20's, and couldn't make it onto the field at their previous schools. Does anyone not think they were over-rated in 2017?

The big difference this year is that the NCAA is waiving the transfer year, a change that is about to become permanent, meaning any player that comes to Marshall has a get-out-of-Huntington free card in their back pocket that they can use anytime in their Herd career to head for greener pastures without penalty. You guys really think that's good news for Marshall?

No because those freshman particularly in football and more specifically on the line won't be ready to contribute right away. We lose our best linemen to a SEC school. They now don't have to redshirt or develop him. At best they get a starter at worst they just added depth and we spent 3 or 4 years grooming him! It crushes teams like us.

 

[Herd020]

No because those freshman particularly in football and more specifically on the line won't be ready to contribute right away. We lose our best linemen to a SEC school. They now don't have to redshirt or develop him. At best they get a starter at worst they just added depth and we spent 3 or 4 years grooming him! It crushes teams like us.

You are 100% correct. I compare it to Major League Baseball. The large market teams teams (or in this case the P5) can spend and spend and spend, while the small market teams (G5) groom players who leave when they get good enough. Very unfair system.

 

[Timmynjen]

I’ve been following the message boards for years. Graduated in 2002. I don’t comment but seeing this post and constant negativity on the boards is just disheartening. This use to be a place were you could get excited about the upcoming football season and learn about recruits. Nowadays, if you get on the boards you’ll leave feeling discouraged and unhappy with Marshall. Let’s get back to the good ole days!! We just won an NCAA Soccer Championship!!! 🙌🏼💚🤍

 

[herdfan429]

I’ve been following the message boards for years. Graduated in 2002. I don’t comment but seeing this post and constant negativity on the boards is just disheartening. This use to be a place were you could get excited about the upcoming football season and learn about recruits. Nowadays, if you get on the boards you’ll leave feeling discouraged and unhappy with Marshall. Let’s get back to the good ole days!! We just won an NCAA Soccer Championship!!! 🙌🏼💚🤍

You haven’t been following the boards that closely. They have always been a cesspool of negativity

 

[The Real SamC]

You are 100% correct. I compare it to Major League Baseball.

The best comparison of what the free agency/NIL pay the players idiots are building is minor league baseball.

College football, and college basketball, are huge nationally significant deals that generate lots of $$.

Minor league baseball is a money losing expense that MLB has to fund to develop talent. Most teams are run out of a cigar box. A small time thing of no importance to 99.9% of people.

ESPN, et al, are trying to create minor league football and minor league basketball. Forgetting what a non-thing minor league baseball already is.

It is not too late to stop de facto free agency and NIL pay the players and thus SAVE college sports, but it is getting late.

 

[Marshall2004]

I think it is true that the portal is more than just “more of the same” because it is changing the culture of the sport with its rule that players don’t have to sit out. I also think that for some programs, Marshall included, it isn’t the end of the world. We seem to have done fairly well in the portal so far. I think it hurts the lower 2/3 of G5 and lower 2/3 of P5 the most. WVU has been hammered by portal losses on defense.

I think the real issue long term is deciding who is actually competing with the top 20% of the P5 and who realistically is not. There hasn’t been a subdivision re-ordering since IAA was created in 1978. Its time to realistically look at who is playing for what.

 

[Jartard]