Texan Mosaic

Hope springs eternal, and with the start of the spring semester, we see a lot of familiar faces.

For many college athletes, though, they will be in new places hoping for a better fall semester. College football has come to an end, and there is a new national champion. In a game that featured two young quarterbacks, many are left wondering if this game signaled the changing of the guard to the next powerhouse. I’m left wondering how the new transfers rule is going to affect college football. 

Last year, Alabama and Clemson met in the quarterfinals of the playoffs with two very experienced quarterbacks, both of which have transferred. One was a grad transfer from Alabama and has transferred in the traditional sense, as he has graduated with a bachelor’s degree and is seeking a graduate school. The other, from Clemson, is transferring under the new rules that if a student athlete plays less than four games, it does not count against the four years of eligibility.

The Alabama player came in a very crucial time in the Southeastern Conference championship. He saved Alabama’s season by coming off the bench late in the fourth quarter to beat Georgia and put Alabama back in the college football playoffs. The other quarterback, the transfer from Clemson, left the university immediately after not being named the starter. The starting quarterback for Clemson was injured in a close game and they could’ve used him. But he was nowhere to be found because he left the program.

It didn’t cost Clemson anything because the Tigers went on to win in overtime. But the question I pose is was either one of these players correct, or were they both wrong?

With 97 players in the transfer portal, we have to question whether players are running away from a challenge, or are they doing what’s best for them and their potential NFL career? The transfer portal is what the NCAA uses to let all colleges know that an athlete is leaving the school.

College athletes receive a free education, in exchange for their athletic talents. A very small percentage goes on to play in the NFL. This means a majority of student athletes need to focus on being a student and what’s best for their education. Many students seem to be transferring to give themselves a better chance of being in the NFL. But what does this say about society?

Is it smart for Athletes to transfer when they should stay and fight for the position and except a challenge? The majority of athletes stay and fights for their position. Even if the student athlete loses their starting position, they’re still getting a free education, something that many people undervalue these days. The reason I say this is what are these athletes going to do when they get to their job and they’re not professional athletes and face adversity? They won’t be able to transfer then or pay bills and continue with their day-to-day life.

While the transfers have made college football a relevant news topic more so now than ever, I do believe it is hurting society and student athletes. Once again, I believe the colleges are out to make money more than to help these athletes be better in life. While I don’t believe every student athlete should be prevented from transferring, I do think we need to examine more of why college athletes are transferring.