[Goose]

I just saw where a starting OL from Vandy, with 2 years of eligibility remaining, is transferring to Alabama.  I could see that happening at Stanford, too, with the few great/proven players deciding they want to play where college football is "Big Time."

While I agree that the transfer portal probably hurts Stanford much more that it helps Stanford, I see this particular "issue" as so far down on the list that it is hardly worth considering. Nobody is going to do all the work necessary to get into Stanford with the expectation of using it as a "stepping stone" to Alabama (or equivalent) football. It is easier to go elsewhere to accomplish that. There may be a few athletes that surprise themselves and go from "middle of the road" to elite at Stanford. However, in most cases when that happens they are better off staying where they are. They have already "made the jump" to elite. Why risk going elsewhere and not playing at all? I think this type of transfer from Stanford will be very, very, rare.

I know SC isn't Alabama (but they could get there under Riley).  Still, Jones bolting for there is unsettling.

And while I agree that HS kids doing all the work to get into Stanford have "bigger picture" perspective, generally, I think you underestimate the effect of hundreds of fans in the stands when the home team comes out at the Farm versus the maniacal fan bases at many other places.  Kids could come to Stanford, experience for a couple years, and say "You know, I'd like to experience Big Time College Sports."  It's arguable that's what Jones did (and Reid, and others).

It may be arguable, but I think a much better argument can be made that what Jones did was to transfer because he wasn't going to play, kind of the opposite case from Tyler Steen of Vandy. Heck, Jones was originally going to Oregon State, which I don't think of as "Big Time College Sports". Probably not a good example of going to the "Big Time". Unfortunately for him, it looks like Jones will be at best a role player at USC.

But I was speaking more generally in terms of the danger of the portal on stratification front. Hell, in my mind Stanford is practically a "have not" already; thus, the further stratification via portal will only have minimal impact in terms of "which side of the line" Stanford is on.

Not sure I agree on the "have not" front. Stanford's problems talent-wise seem to be uneven, with talent in some positions and no talent in others. That is a different dead horse. However, I do think the transfer portal is obviously a net negative for Stanford because it only flows one way. Whatever the talents of those leaving, big or small, we can't replace them through the portal. Simple as that.

[Goose]

I just saw where a starting OL from Vandy, with 2 years of eligibility remaining, is transferring to Alabama.  I could see that happening at Stanford, too, with the few great/proven players deciding they want to play where college football is "Big Time."

While I agree that the transfer portal probably hurts Stanford much more that it helps Stanford, I see this particular "issue" as so far down on the list that it is hardly worth considering. Nobody is going to do all the work necessary to get into Stanford with the expectation of using it as a "stepping stone" to Alabama (or equivalent) football. It is easier to go elsewhere to accomplish that. There may be a few athletes that surprise themselves and go from "middle of the road" to elite at Stanford. However, in most cases when that happens they are better off staying where they are. They have already "made the jump" to elite. Why risk going elsewhere and not playing at all? I think this type of transfer from Stanford will be very, very, rare.

I know SC isn't Alabama (but they could get there under Riley).  Still, Jones bolting for there is unsettling.

And while I agree that HS kids doing all the work to get into Stanford have "bigger picture" perspective, generally, I think you underestimate the effect of hundreds of fans in the stands when the home team comes out at the Farm versus the maniacal fan bases at many other places.  Kids could come to Stanford, experience for a couple years, and say "You know, I'd like to experience Big Time College Sports."  It's arguable that's what Jones did (and Reid, and others).

It may be arguable, but I think a much better argument can be made that what Jones did was to transfer because he wasn't going to play, kind of the opposite case from Tyler Steen of Vandy. Heck, Jones was originally going to Oregon State, which I don't think of as "Big Time College Sports". Probably not a good example of going to the "Big Time". Unfortunately for him, it looks like Jones will be at best a role player at USC.

But I was speaking more generally in terms of the danger of the portal on stratification front. Hell, in my mind Stanford is practically a "have not" already; thus, the further stratification via portal will only have minimal impact in terms of "which side of the line" Stanford is on.

Not sure I agree on the "have not" front. Stanford's problems talent-wise seem to be uneven, with talent in some positions and no talent in others. That is a different dead horse. However, I do think the transfer portal is obviously a net negative for Stanford because it only flows one way. Whatever the talents of those leaving, big or small, we can't replace them through the portal. Simple as that.