College Athletes Navigate Transfer Portal

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The NCAA transfer portal, which allows student-athletes to change schools without sitting out a year, has become increasingly common in college football and basketball in recent years. Memphis Tigers beat reporter Frank Bonner joins a local podcast to discuss what it's like for athletes navigating the transfer process.

Why it matters

The rise of the transfer portal has significantly impacted the landscape of college sports, with more players than ever switching schools between seasons. This trend has led to increased roster turnover, recruiting challenges, and questions about the long-term effects on team chemistry and player development.

The details

The NCAA transfer portal was introduced in 2018 as a way to streamline the process of allowing student-athletes to inform their current school they plan to leave and let other schools know they are interested in transferring. In 2021, the rules changed to allow players to enter the portal without sitting out for a year, leading to a significant increase in transfers across college football and basketball.

• The NCAA transfer portal was introduced in 2018.
• The rules changed in 2021 to allow players to enter the portal without sitting out for a year.

What they’re saying