Welcome back to Coaches Confidential, a Cincinnati Enquirer series that allows high school football coaches to answer weekly questions anonymously.
This exercise aims to educate parents, athletes and fans, uplift and encourage athletes to be the best they can be, mentor young coaches, idea-share and, in some cases, just have fun.
These answers represent the opinions of coaches who chose to participate. Other coaches who want to join the process can email Chase Souder at csouder@gannett.com.
This week’s questions are: How has the college transfer portal affected recruiting for high school football? What advice do you give your players?
Colleges look to more experienced players
"One of my players was a four-time, first-team all-state punter. He was player of the year in three different sports. Three years ago, he could've picked whatever school he wanted to go to. Now, DI schools are not taking the freshman special teams player. They're looking to the transfer portal for the 21- to 22-year-old DII, DIII, or NAIA player who has experience, has played in big games, has been coached up, and can contribute right away because their player left for another school. The transfer portal has definitely taken a level of competition away from the players who just 10 years ago would have been competing for a job and making each other better."
"The transfer portal has changed everything. Colleges are now prioritizing older, proven players from other programs, which means high school athletes must work even harder to stand out."
"Simply put, there is less interest in the high school player."
"The transfer portal and the new roster-size requirements have made being recruited in high school a bit more difficult. Schools look for older, already-developed players and compare them to what they might be able to develop in a high school player, not just comparing high school players to other high school players."
"(The portal) has negatively impacted high school recruiting across the board, particularly in a school our size. FCS, DII, NAIA, etc., were where many of our players wound up year after year. The ability now for them to grab players who are dropping down a division or transferring out to get playing time is crazy. To them, why would they take a chance on an 18-year-old high school senior when you can get a 20-year-old transfer who you've watched on film against college competition? The trickle down has really disrupted the process."
"The portal has made it harder for high school athletes to get recruited because colleges are filling more roster spots with transfers who have proven themselves at the college level."
Lower division colleges act like farm teams
"High school athletes do not get recruited the way they once did. High school recruiting is similar to that of minor league baseball now. Players who are really good can go to the major leagues right from high school/Division I programs. If not, they can start out at Division II or III, NAIA or Juco and work their way up via the transfer portal as they progress and mature. No longer are players in college locked on rosters. That affects everyone."
"(The portal) has hurt immensely. Kids that normally would be DI players might need to prove themselves at DII."
Commitments are no longer binding
"Unfortunately, I have seen that it is better for the high school player to 'commit' to a scholarship offer early to make sure they have one in their pocket. Then, if a better situation comes about, they 'decommit' from that original 'commitment' and make a new 'commitment.' We preach for players to be committed to the team and the process, then they see it as more advantageous to not stand on a commitment for a better situation somewhere else. The college coaches promote this by uplifting their abilities to 'flip' a player's commitment."
High school players want to bail at first sign of adversity
"It is hurting kids because kids transfer schools in high school all the time and don’t get to work for anything. They think the situation stops them from their success or recruiting. Wrong! You can get recruited no matter where you play at as long as you do what’s expected, you pass the eye test and make yourself stand out."
"The portal has hurt high school. Now kids want to leave as soon as it gets tough or if they aren't playing right away."
Players need to find college playing time early
"The portal has completely changed what I tell athletes and players about college. I tell them to find a school where they have an opportunity to get on the field immediately. College coaches are under pressure to win TODAY, and often don't have the time to 'develop' talent. If coaches lose, they typically lose their jobs and the players face tough choices. If a player goes to a school at which they get on the field early, and lay down some good film, they now have options and leverage in the age of the portal."
"I tell (my players) to get on a squad, play early and use the portal to your advantage."
"Cast a wide net; include DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCO."
Players need patience, focus on development
"My advice to (players): control what you can, focus on development, and don't get discouraged. Opportunities still exist for those who stay the course."
"(The portal) has slowed recruiting terribly. Be patient and keep working."
"Control what you can control: academics, film quality, physical development. Don’t chase offers. Chase the right fit where you can develop on and off the field."
Players need to get in front of recruiters
"I tell my players to get out to camps, take college visits, make connections and be realistic."
"The presence of college coaches in the high school buildings has dropped as well. Unless you are a school that constantly churns out FBS players, the visits of college coaches just aren't the same. It's honestly pretty sad."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How NCAA transfer portal impacts on high school football recruiting
