The High School "Transfer Portal" has gotten ridiculous.....

AwGabJazz · Monday at 10:40 AM

I have been an Asst. Coach for a local high school football team for almost 15 years. There used to be a sense of pride and camaraderie playing with the kids your grew up with and playing for your community. And there is nothing wrong for choosing to play at a private or Catholic school, however what I do vehemently disagree with is the number of kids transferring schools thinking they will now get more "looks" or be more highly recruited. TRUST ME, if you are good enough you will get recruited and get exposure, if you are good you do not need to transfer schools and anyone who has been around HS football as long as me should know that!

I have seen families uproot thier entire families, sell thier homes, buy a condo or rent an apartment, find new jobs, and heard of one couple that had to "legally separate" just so thier son could transfer schools and play football for another program. Again that is ridiculous in my opinion for a family to do that!

Jonas Williams is a great QB and deserved every D1 offer he received, he had multuple D1 offers as a freshman at Bolingbrook, are you telling me he would not be at USC right now had he not trasfered to LWE? I knew one family from Iowa that sold their home and moved to Rochester when thier son was in 8th grade thinking he would have a prolific HS career and get recruited by D1 programs, they moved and he never started a game at QB and moved to LB! Nazareth seems to recruit QB's from different states and have them transfer in to play. Last year it was a kid from Pittsburgh that is still trying to get recruited to play college football. This year they got a kid coming from Wisconsin to move to the area, I ask why? Supposedly he already had multuple D1 offers and was being recruited, what is the benefit to him and why would his family uproot just to have him play for a program like Nazareth? Naz has a recent history of finding their best QB's locally (JJ McCarthy, Logan Malachuk, etc.), not sure why they feel they have to recruit out of state? Last year a great player from a Catholic school in the west suburbs who was already getting offers transfered for his senior year to better and stronger program and got much less playing time and never got recruited. There are many more stories like this where kids transferred and it never worked out for them!

I know many may disagree with me and I respect all opinions, I just wanted to share mine as I see these families and kids schuffling and switching schools, moving residences, etc. in hopes of getting that gret D1 scholarship. And the number of families moving and kids transferring schools is getting out tof control. Again, if you are really good just stay put, your game film and your performance at prospect camps is the best way for you to showcase your skills, you do not need to "transfer" schools, if you are good you will get noticed. Just my 2 cents, wanted to get it out there, again I 100% respect if you disagree and open to any comments.

SiuCubFan8 · Monday at 10:50 AM

I guess at the end of the day it's none of my business if a family wants to move across state lines for whatever reason.

I agree that the transferring has reached a new level. But when money is now involved in college, what did people think was going to happen?

4Afan · Monday at 11:01 AM

AwGabJazz said:
I have been an Asst. Coach for a local high school football team for almost 15 years. There used to be a sense of pride and camaraderie playing with the kids your grew up with and playing for your community. And there is nothing wrong for choosing to play at a private or Catholic school, however what I do vehemently disagree with is the number of kids transferring schools thinking they will now get more "looks" or be more highly recruited. TRUST ME, if you are good enough you will get recruited and get exposure, if you are good you do not need to transfer schools and anyone who has been around HS football as long as me should know that!

I have seen families uproot thier entire families, sell thier homes, buy a condo or rent an apartment, find new jobs, and heard of one couple that had to "legally separate" just so thier son could transfer schools and play football for another program. Again that is ridiculous in my opinion for a family to do that!

Jonas Williams is a great QB and deserved every D1 offer he received, he had multuple D1 offers as a freshman at Bolingbrook, are you telling me he would not be at USC right now had he not trasfered to LWE? I knew one family from Iowa that sold their home and moved to Rochester when thier son was in 8th grade thinking he would have a prolific HS career and get recruited by D1 programs, they moved and he never started a game at QB and moved to LB! Nazareth seems to recruit QB's from different states and have them transfer in to play. Last year it was a kid from Pittsburgh that is still trying to get recruited to play college football. This year they got a kid coming from Wisconsin to move to the area, I ask why? Supposedly he already had multuple D1 offers and was being recruited, what is the benefit to him and why would his family uproot just to have him play for a program like Nazareth? Naz has a recent history of finding their best QB's locally (JJ McCarthy, Logan Malachuk, etc.), not sure why they feel they have to recruit out of state? Last year a great player from a Catholic school in the west suburbs who was already getting offers transfered for his senior year to better and stronger program and got much less playing time and never got recruited. There are many more stories like this where kids transferred and it never worked out for them!

I know many may disagree with me and I respect all opinions, I just wanted to share mine as I see these families and kids schuffling and switching schools, moving residences, etc. in hopes of getting that gret D1 scholarship. And the number of families moving and kids transferring schools is getting out tof control. Again, if you are really good just stay put, your game film and your performance at prospect camps is the best way for you to showcase your skills, you do not need to "transfer" schools, if you are good you will get noticed. Just my 2 cents, wanted to get it out there, again I 100% respect if you disagree and open to any comments.

Agree with your sentiment, but it's monkey see, monkey do unfortunately. Kids see college players transferring all over the place for a bigger pay day so HS kids think they need to do the same thing. Unfortunately HS parents aren't always brave enough these days to tell little Johnny no.

Ultimately, it's none of my business and if they feel they can somehow get a better offer which leads to more NIL money by switching schools, then more power to them.

SiuCubFan8 · Monday at 11:19 AM

FWIW, the transfer portal is not done...only just heating up.

Cross Bones · Monday at 11:20 AM

Program was in disarray. Jonas wasnt the only one that jumped ship. KBJ was the only major recruit that stayed. Gotta stop using him as an example.

Its a different day with different dynamics, and money involved. Families would be silly to not do something to get their hands on this life altering money.

Colin2299 · Monday at 11:23 AM

I don't think NIL money has anything to do with it (I know some of you disagree with this). Kids transferred before NIL was a thing.

I think the heart of this is parents wanting their kids to reach their full potential and go play Division 1 football. Which is great.

However....

I think there are cases where it makes sense but the overwhelming majority of transferring is thinking the grass is greener on the other side but that not being the case.

I would love to see a research project done on interviewing parents after their kids athletic career is over and getting their input on what they would do the same vs differently.

For 98% of kids, transferring doesn't help you get more offers.

Colin2299 · Monday at 11:24 AM

Cross Bones said:
Program was in disarray. Jonas wasnt the only one that jumped ship. KBJ was the only major recruit that stayed. Gotta stop using him as an example.

Its a different day with different dynamics, and money involved. Families would be silly to not do something to get their hands on this life altering money.

provide an example of a kid transferring and it helping him get more NIL $$$?

pjjp · Monday at 11:26 AM

Different type of transfer, but I wonder what Trae Taylor's family is thinking after his performance at the Elite 11 event. Seems as if his recruiting stock has risen, since he was deemed the top QB. It was already very high, but does he stick with Nebraska, if other schools come at him with better "offers"? He's made a fairly large commitment to move and go to HS for his final year in Nebraska. What if Ohio State makes him a financial offer he can't refuse?

SiuCubFan8 · Monday at 11:27 AM

4Afan · Monday at 11:29 AM

Cross Bones said:
Program was in disarray. Jonas wasnt the only one that jumped ship. KBJ was the only major recruit that stayed. Gotta stop using him as an example.

Its a different day with different dynamics, and money involved. Families would be silly to not do something to get their hands on this life altering money.

But how much of that life altering money is actually realized? Have any studies been done that can correlate kids transferring in HS equaling a greater NIL deal in college vs. staying at their original HS?

OP listed multiple examples where transferring didn't work out as planned so transferring doesn't guarantee financial gain.

We've all been around long enough to know crazy parents who think their kid is the 2nd coming in whatever sport they play and now with NIL in place at the college level this is inflating the heads of kids and parents alike, which is a recipe for disaster.

4Afan · Monday at 11:32 AM

pjjp said:
Different type of transfer, but I wonder what Trae Taylor's family is thinking after his performance at the Elite 11 event. Seems as if his recruiting stock has risen, since he was deemed the top QB. It was already very high, but does he stick with Nebraska, if other schools come at him with better "offers"? He's made a fairly large commitment to move and go to HS for his final year in Nebraska. What if Ohio State makes him a financial offer he can't refuse?

I think he stays at Nebraska. Him moving there gets him closer to boosters who would be willing to up the offer to keep him there since they'll have more access to him.

SiuCubFan8 · Monday at 11:34 AM

4Afan said:
But how much of that life altering money is actually realized? Have any studies been done that can correlate kids transferring in HS equaling a greater NIL deal in college vs. staying at their original HS?

OP listed multiple examples where transferring didn't work out as planned so transferring doesn't guarantee financial gain.

We've all been around long enough to know crazy parents who think their kid is the 2nd coming in whatever sport they play and now with NIL in place at the college level this is inflating the heads of kids and parents alike, which is a recipe for disaster.

The carrot is dangling and kids/parents are chasing it.

Colin2299 · Monday at 11:40 AM

Two interesting QB transfer thoughts....

Anthony Maddie - 2010 Transferred from JCA to Aurora Christian when Don Beebe was the coach.
This one made sense. JCA was running the Wing T and the QB was only getting a hand full of play action passes a game. Transferred to AC to learn the QB position/spread offense and set all sorts of state records and got his college paid for at WMU/NIU.

Marion Persich transferring from LP to Morris is a transfer that won't help him get more looks but will now surround him with a better culture and standard of excellence. I think this is the majority of the reason kids transfer.

SiuCubFan8 · Monday at 11:40 AM

Colin2299 said:
provide an example of a kid transferring and it helping him get more NIL $$$?

I think this is where we have a disconnect. It doesn't matter right now if there is 1 example or 100. You said it yourself, parents are trying to put kids in the best position to get the best DI situation for their kid. Guess what, this day in age, money is now part of the equation. Families are chasing it, does it work....now that is the question neither of us know.

Colin2299 · Monday at 11:44 AM

pjjp said:
Different type of transfer, but I wonder what Trae Taylor's family is thinking after his performance at the Elite 11 event. Seems as if his recruiting stock has risen, since he was deemed the top QB. It was already very high, but does he stick with Nebraska, if other schools come at him with better "offers"? He's made a fairly large commitment to move and go to HS for his final year in Nebraska. What if Ohio State makes him a financial offer he can't refuse?

read a recent article which he said he's "fully committed to Nebraska but still meets with coaches that want to meet with him. And if anyone wants him, they are going to have to come to Nebraska to come get him".

If I were a betting man, my monies on him never suiting up in Nebraska.

AwGabJazz · Monday at 11:46 AM

Apprecaite all the opinions, many say its about the money. Again, if you are GOOD you will get recruited no matter what HS you go to and if you have the measureables (height, weight, speed, etc) you will get D1 scholarships. How much $$ are parents spending to uproot thier families, move across state lines, purchase new homes just so their kid can transfer to a different school thinking now he will get recruited? Don't buy it and agree with the person who said it may work out for 1 out of 100. The kid who is transferring to Nazareth is a great example, he played at a solid HS in Wisconsin and had multiple Power 5 D1 offers already, do you honestly think he will get more offers just becuase he moves and plays at Naz this season? No way! Stay at the HS and community you grew up in, play for them, have great film and so well at any camps and the offers will be there! Again just my 2 cents ......

Cross Bones · Monday at 1:24 PM

Colin2299 said:
provide an example of a kid transferring and it helping him get more NIL $$$?

Dont know, its not like schools come out and say "we gave player X all this money that he wouldnt have made had he not transferred". But if youre at a program that hands the ball off to the RB 40x per game and passes 9x per game youre probably better off at another program if you fancy yourself a passing QB. It might just be the difference between div II and Miami of Ohio, but its a big difference.

Cross Bones · Monday at 1:26 PM

4Afan said:
But how much of that life altering money is actually realized? Have any studies been done that can correlate kids transferring in HS equaling a greater NIL deal in college vs. staying at their original HS?

OP listed multiple examples where transferring didn't work out as planned so transferring doesn't guarantee financial gain.

We've all been around long enough to know crazy parents who think their kid is the 2nd coming in whatever sport they play and now with NIL in place at the college level this is inflating the heads of kids and parents alike, which is a recipe for disaster.

I dont think there are guarantees in life except death and taxes. But one can better their odds.

crusader_of_90 · Monday at 3:01 PM

Colin2299 said:
provide an example of a kid transferring and it helping him get more NIL $$$?

Dierre Hill leaving basketball-crazy Vashon after leading them to a title as a sophomore PG, for Althoff, where he was encouraged to play both sports, won a football title and just missed out on one for hoops. Became Gatorade POY in IL two years straight and is now a millionaire before age 20.

crusader_of_90 · Monday at 3:07 PM

Square-peg, round-hole QB Jaden Ellington can now focus on ELITE DB play at East Side to lock in his bag after he unselfishly played out of position for the betterment of the Crusaders.

Colin2299 · Monday at 4:37 PM

crusader_of_90 said:
Dierre Hill leaving basketball-crazy Vashon after leading them to a title as a sophomore PG, for Althoff, where he was encouraged to play both sports, won a football title and just missed out on one for hoops. Became Gatorade POY in IL two years straight and is now a millionaire before age 20.

nope…had Oregon and Michigan offers before he left Vashon.

Hill 247

crusader_of_90 · Monday at 8:54 PM

Colin2299 said:
nope…had Oregon and Michigan offers before he left Vashon.

Hill 247

Five-yard penalty - moved goalposts!

His time at Althoff and winning the title and awards certainly helped him become a freshman millionaire. Had he stayed at Vachon, how much would he have focused on hoops compared to football?

4Afan · Monday at 9:05 PM

crusader_of_90 said:
Five-yard penalty - moved goalposts!

His time at Althoff and winning the title and awards certainly helped him become a freshman millionaire. Had he stayed at Vachon, how much would he have focused on hoops compared to football?

Unless there's money only you know about then it's not close to $1 mil. He has a $350k NIL valuation. He had a solid year and will definitely make more, but no one paying $1 mil for a freshman RB who shared carries with at least 4 other RBs.

Dierre Hill - Oregon Ducks - Running Back

Explore Dierre Hill's athlete profile at On3.com. Get news and insights into their playing career, statistics, and achievements in sports.

www.on3.com

crusader_of_90 · Monday at 9:40 PM

I've heard high numbers. Maybe there is some dark money not accounted for in that valuation. I cannot say for sure.

4Afan · Monday at 10:11 PM

crusader_of_90 said:
I've heard high numbers. Maybe there is some dark money not accounted for in that valuation. I cannot say for sure.

The NIL is the wild west so not sure why any money would be hidden. He'll get more than his fair share and be a feature back, whether that will be at Oregon is TBD, but he's not at $1 mil yet. For reference, ND quarterback CJ Carr has a valuation of $1.5 mil. I can't see an RB getting $1 mil right out of HS.

johnndoe · Monday at 10:15 PM

Great opinions on both sides of the issue in this thread. I just wonder if "knowing what many of us do," if one of our own brothers or brothers-in-law (maybe not having the full perspective) would ask our opinion on such an upheaval for the son/family, what would be our response. I actually wished one of my brothers-in-law would have done that to potentially avoid some mistakes made according to his own hindsight. Three high schools and three family moves chasing an unrealistic dream of playing at Notre Dame. Could see it coming from a mile away. The academic toll on this marginal student with the transferring was the most damaging part of it.

4Afan · Monday at 10:48 PM

johnndoe said:
Great opinions on both sides of the issue in this thread. I just wonder if "knowing what many of us do," if one of our own brothers or brothers-in-law (maybe not having the full perspective) would ask our opinion on such an upheaval for the son/family, what would be our response. I actually wished one of my brothers-in-law would have done that to potentially avoid some mistakes made according to his own hindsight. Three high schools and three family moves chasing an unrealistic dream of playing at Notre Dame. Could see it coming from a mile away. The academic toll on this marginal student with the transferring was the most damaging part of it.

If it were within my family, I would initially have two questions. Is it worth it for all members of the family and what guarantees do you have that the school your son is transferring to will get him more/better offers?

I would reach out to the boss man here, yes I'm brown nosing, (gotta build up points for when I say something dumb), share video with him, and ask about what camps we could attend and what his initial thoughts were on little Tommy's film. If you're serious there should be several steps you should take before even thinking of transferring.

As the OP stated if you're good enough and have the measurables then colleges will find you. Go to as many camps as you can and send your film everywhere and if you have the skills, you will get the offers.

Edgytim · Tuesday at 6:39 AM

It's pretty simple and I agree some great opinions here.....it's travel ball now. Parent feels and/or are told that Little Johnny has some talent and want Little Johnny to go to a school that offers him the best chance to develop his football skills at the best and highest level possible. Parents will pick up and move (or flat out lie about a move) Little Johnny to that school be damned the cost. The CCL/ESCC schools are by far offer many of the most successful football programs in Illinois and attract plenty of Little Johnny's these days. Some of those schools are also public and those schools also attract some Little Johnny's as well.

AwGabJazz · Tuesday at 8:27 AM

Edgytim said:
It's pretty simple and I agree some great opinions here.....it's travel ball now. Parent feels and/or are told that Little Johnny has some talent and want Little Johnny to go to a school that offers him the best chance to develop his football skills at the best and highest level possible. Parents will pick up and move (or flat out lie about a move) Little Johnny to that school be damned the cost. The CCL/ESCC schools are by far offer many of the most successful football programs in Illinois and attract plenty of Little Johnny's these days. Some of those schools are also public and those schools also attract some Little Johnny's as well.

Great point Edgy. But let me ask you, is it always the parents or do you think high school coaches are also aggressively recruiting and poaching kids from other schools? I can tell you the coaching staffs that I have been on have NEVER tried to recruit anyone, we have always homegrown our players from the community. Looks like Nazareth, Mount Carmel, and LWE strenghten thier teams each year by bringing in a lot of transfers. I just heard last night that Naz is getting another transfer in from Yorkville on top of that QB that relocated from Wisconsin. Again the trend is troubling, these are 16-17 year old boys. To your point, the parents think Little Johnny is the next Caleb Williams and uproot thier families and make all these concessions to move schools, then reality hits. I will go back to what I said originally, stay where you are and play for your local HS or a Catholic school close to your home, if you are good and a legit prospect, they will find you!!!!

PowerI66 · Tuesday at 8:51 AM

AwGabJazz said:
To your point, the parents think Little Johnny is the next Caleb Williams and uproot thier families and make all these concessions to move schools, then reality hits. I will go back to what I said originally, stay where you are and play for your local HS or a Catholic school close to your home, if you are good and a legit prospect, they will find you!!!!

We live in a time of perception, not reality. As sad as that is.

Colin2299 · Tuesday at 8:55 AM

AwGabJazz said:
Great point Edgy. But let me ask you, is it always the parents or do you think high school coaches are also aggressively recruiting and poaching kids from other schools? I can tell you the coaching staffs that I have been on have NEVER tried to recruit anyone, we have always homegrown our players from the community. Looks like Nazareth, Mount Carmel, and LWE strenghten thier teams each year by bringing in a lot of transfers. I just heard last night that Naz is getting another transfer in from Yorkville on top of that QB that relocated from Wisconsin.

From my experience, a lot of what happens here is little Johnny joining a 7 on 7 team (ex Midwest Boom) and playing with some other good players and then wanting to leave his program and join another 7 on 7 players team.

They hear another player talk about how much they love playing for coach A and think they would have a better experience playing in Coach A’s program as opposed to their current program.

I don’t think for a second Coach Lynch or Racki are out recruiting kids from other HS programs to fill holes in theirs.

Colin2299 · Tuesday at 11:06 AM

After further review - Nazareth's DB coach trains the DB from Yorkville that just announced he's transferring to Naz.

SiuCubFan8 · Tuesday at 11:20 AM

Colin2299 said:
After further review - Nazareth's DB coach trains the DB from Yorkville that just announced he's transferring to Naz.

Ya, I said that somewhat recently that’s happening and I suspect will only happen more.

PowerI66 · Tuesday at 12:00 PM

Colin2299 said:
After further review - Nazareth's DB coach trains the DB from Yorkville that just announced he's transferring to Naz.

There is a school in the NW burbs that fits a similar profile

4Afan · Tuesday at 12:24 PM

PowerI66 said:
There is a school in the NW burbs that fits a similar profile

Ahhh the vague post with nothing behind it...love those.

SiuCubFan8 · Tuesday at 12:30 PM

4Afan said:
Ahhh the vague post with nothing behind it...love those.

And the portal is not close to be done for this upcoming year!

pjjp · Tuesday at 12:42 PM

AwGabJazz said:
Great point Edgy. But let me ask you, is it always the parents or do you think high school coaches are also aggressively recruiting and poaching kids from other schools? I can tell you the coaching staffs that I have been on have NEVER tried to recruit anyone, we have always homegrown our players from the community. Looks like Nazareth, Mount Carmel, and LWE strenghten thier teams each year by bringing in a lot of transfers. I just heard last night that Naz is getting another transfer in from Yorkville on top of that QB that relocated from Wisconsin.

Without question some coaching staffs "poach" kids from other programs. It seems to even happen at the 8th grade level. I've gotten a kick out of how both public and private schools put out what looks like a professionally done graphic announcing the "commitment" of an 8th grader to their program. I've noticed those "commitments" tend to be very soft, because I"ve seen a number of cases on social media where said 8th grader flips his original commitment to another school and has a fancy new graphic announcing his updated school of choice.

AwGabJazz · Tuesday at 2:08 PM

Colin2299 said:
After further review - Nazareth's DB coach trains the DB from Yorkville that just announced he's transferring to Naz.

Based on that comment, clearly Nazareth coaches are recruiting others to their program. Not saying anything bad about Racki as I know he is a great coach, but he is allowing this to happen so he is recruiting. You don't find a QB from Pittsburgh to transfer in one year and then a year later find a QB to move from Wisconsin to IL without some sort of recruting. Not saying that other Catholic school coaches wouldn't do the same thing but the question is this: Are they doing what is best for the player or the program? This transfer portal system in HS is broken if families are moving accross state lines, selling homes, in some cases getting new jobs, living apart from each other just becuase they think their 16-17 year old son will get more offers playing in another program. That being said, if the system allows it then they can do it, just sad to see it and 95% of the time the kids gets the same exposure and offers had they stayed put!

pjjp · Tuesday at 2:45 PM

AwGabJazz said:
Based on that comment, clearly Nazareth coaches are recruiting others to their program. Not saying anything bad about Racki as I know he is a great coach, but he is allowing this to happen so he is recruiting. You don't find a QB from Pittsburgh to transfer in one year and then a year later find a QB to move from Wisconsin to IL without some sort of recruting. Not saying that other Catholic school coaches wouldn't do the same thing but the question is this: Are they doing what is best for the player or the program?

Regarding the out-of-state QB transfers, you might ask who is playing QB at the lower levels for Naz? What do the families of those kids think of the QB transfers? If you are an 8th grade QB, would you feel comfortable going to Naz and looking over you shoulder wondering when/if someone is going to transfer in to displace you?

SiuCubFan8 · Tuesday at 2:55 PM

AwGabJazz said:
Based on that comment, clearly Nazareth coaches are recruiting others to their program. Not saying anything bad about Racki as I know he is a great coach, but he is allowing this to happen so he is recruiting. You don't find a QB from Pittsburgh to transfer in one year and then a year later find a QB to move from Wisconsin to IL without some sort of recruting. Not saying that other Catholic school coaches wouldn't do the same thing but the question is this: Are they doing what is best for the player or the program? This transfer portal system in HS is broken if families are moving accross state lines, selling homes, in some cases getting new jobs, living apart from each other just becuase they think their 16-17 year old son will get more offers playing in another program. That being said, if the system allows it then they can do it, just sad to see it and 95% of the time the kids gets the same exposure and offers had they stayed put!

95% but with what data?

The High School "Transfer Portal" has gotten ridiculous.....

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