How to Understand the Transfer Portal as a High School Athlete

As I criss-cross the country doing high school student athlete presentations on the college selection process, I often get questions about the college transfer portal.  What is it? How does it work? And how will it affect my college recruiting process?  It is important for high school student athletes, and their parents, to understand this new tool for the college athlete.  

Since its launch in 2018, the transfer portal has provided a structured way for college athletes to explore transfer options, changing how players and coaches approach the recruiting process. High school athletes, and their families, must understand how the portal works, why athletes are using it, and how it impacts their college selection process. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the transfer portal, what it means for young athletes, and what families should consider when choosing their first college.

What is the Portal?

The college transfer portal is a database, maintained by the NCAA, where college athletes can enter their names to signal interest in transferring to another school. By adding their names, athletes permit other colleges to contact them about possible transfer opportunities. Before the portal, athletes often faced complex rules around transferring, including sitting out a year at their new college, and having to get permission to leave their first college, potentially limiting their options. Now, the portal standardizes the process and offers more transparency for athletes exploring new opportunities.

The portal’s accessibility has introduced new dynamics to college sports, where athletes can leave programs with no penalties. However, transferring can still come with eligibility and scholarship implications, depending on the sport, division level, and specific NCAA rules.

The History

The NCAA introduced the transfer portal in October 2018 as part of a shift toward granting athletes more freedom and control over their athletic careers. The transfer portal’s popularity spiked after COVID-19, as athletes faced new uncertainties about eligibility, playing time, and team dynamics. The pandemic also extended eligibility for many athletes, which allowed many athletes to play more years of college sports, further complicating rosters and scholarship allocations and creating a high volume of athletes seeking a new fit.

Current Numbers

There are nearly 20,000, and steadily rising, college athletes across all sports currently in the portal, with Division I basketball and football seeing some of the highest numbers. Many of these athletes entered for various reasons, but the number one reason is that these athletes did not find the right college fit the first time.

How College Coaches Use it

College coaches are able to create a watch list in the portal. They access the information in the portal through logins, and they can filter to narrow the prospects in their searches. Many programs task a recruiting coach to keep an eye on the portal for future possible recruits.

Impact on High School Student Athletes

The transfer portal’s rise presents both challenges and opportunities for high school student athletes. Families need to be aware that college teams increasingly rely on the portal to fill roster gaps. This means that college coaches may prioritize experienced transfer athletes over high school recruits, as transfers typically bring more maturity and proven skill at the collegiate level. Now, instead of just competing with their peers, high school athletes also have to compete with college athletes for roster spots. 

Considerations for Families with High School Students

There are several key things high school athletes, and their parents should think about when considering their college choices:

Long-Term Fit Over Short Term Gains

With the transfer portal now a viable option, families may feel a safety net in case an initial college choice doesn’t work out. However, finding a strong fit from the start can save significant time, energy, angst, and financial resources. Many college student athletes get stuck in the portal (do not get re-recruited) or have to extend their years of college due to a lack of credits transferring to the new school.  It’s important to evaluate a college not only for its athletic appeal but also for its academic programs, campus culture, location, and other factors that contribute to a fulfilling college experience.

Playing Time

Getting the offer from a college coach does not mean immediate playing time, especially when coaches are constantly monitoring the transfer portal to fill needs.  Ask the right questions to understand where you fit in the needs for each team you consider.  Every program has different needs. 

Coaching Stability and Program Culture

Transferring can often be the result of coaching changes or a shift in team culture. Families should inquire about the coaching staff’s tenure and stability, as well as the program’s long-term goals. A stable coaching environment often translates to consistent expectations, which can help athletes adjust more smoothly to college life.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Implications

Transferring can impact an athlete’s scholarship status, as scholarship money doesn’t transfer between institutions. This is especially important for families relying on athletic scholarships to fund college education. High school athletes should prioritize schools where they’re confident they can thrive and remain for four years to avoid potential disruptions in financial aid.

Academic Fit

Academic alignment is a critical component of selecting a college, regardless of sports. High school athletes should seek programs that align with their academic interests and career goals, as athletic careers can be uncertain. An athlete’s eligibility to transfer doesn’t guarantee they will find the same academic opportunities at another institution.

Advice for Families

For high school athletes and their parents, the college selection process requires a thoughtful, and planned, approach. Here are some tips:

Be proactive

Be proactive with your college selection process. Start early, prioritize your needs, communicate with your colleges of interest, and stay informed about the changing college recruiting process. Keep an open mind about your opportunities and be willing to do the work to find the place that fits your needs, values, and skills.

Ask Hard Questions Early

Prospective students should ask coaches about their philosophy on recruiting transfers versus high school athletes, and understand this will change with every changing season. A program’s values can provide insights into how high school athletes might fit into long-term roster strategies.

Stay Informed on Transfer Portal Policies

Transfer policies, eligibility rules, and scholarship guidelines are rapidly changing, so it’s wise to stay informed. For example, the NCAA recently voted to eliminate the National Letter of Intent (NLI), which is a binding agreement high school athletes signed when committing to a college. Instead of the NLI, students will sign financial agreements. It pays to stay informed.

Prioritize Fit Over Prestige

While playing for a high-profile program may seem appealing, the experience can be difficult if it doesn’t align with an athlete’s personal, athletic, and academic values. Families should remember that the best athletic environment is one where the athlete feels supported and motivated.

Seek a Guide

College athletics, and the college selection process, are unpredictable. At times it is very confusing. A guide will help you sort out the confusion and help you prioritize what is most important to you and your family.  I say this a lot, “finding the right college fit makes all the difference in your college experience.”

Last Note

The transfer portal has introduced a new layer of complexity to college athletics, offering athletes flexibility but also increasing competition for high school recruits. Families should approach the college selection process with a holistic mindset, balancing athletic aspirations with academic, social, and financial priorities. By focusing on the right fit from the start, high school athletes can set themselves up for a rewarding college experience—whether they stay with their first choice or later decide to enter the portal themselves.

If you need more guidance with your college selection process, reach out to us at Find My Team. It’s what we do and it’s how we help.