[SamuelMcF]

I suspect any Stanford red-shirt junior entering the portal is doing so because they need to seek out a graduate degree to qualify for a fourth year on the field. And I strongly, strongly suspect that Stanford forces students who are eligible to graduate in four years to do so, because otherwise wouldn't every Stanford athlete who could drag it out so they could get a fifth year on the Farm? I

I do not believe this is correct (and am with 82LSJU on this).

Plus, it's 2 quarters before graduation.  Students can take fewer units if you really think Stanford will boot you once you get your major-minimum units.  

Kids with eligibility leaving the program - including entering "the portal" - is not a good look for Stanford (or others).  But i do agree with Lex that Stanford benefits very little from transfer portal transitions, certainly far less than other schools.

2016 grad here, friend of multiple football players who took a 5th year.

Teejers is correct. 5th-year seniors sometimes "drag out" their undergrad degrees, waiting to take 1 core class necessary for graduation until their 5th year fall quarter. They can graduate after the season, and don't have to spend the full 5th year in school if they don't want to (of course, anyone who is coterming stays).

[SamuelMcF]

I suspect any Stanford red-shirt junior entering the portal is doing so because they need to seek out a graduate degree to qualify for a fourth year on the field. And I strongly, strongly suspect that Stanford forces students who are eligible to graduate in four years to do so, because otherwise wouldn't every Stanford athlete who could drag it out so they could get a fifth year on the Farm? I

I do not believe this is correct (and am with 82LSJU on this).

Plus, it's 2 quarters before graduation.  Students can take fewer units if you really think Stanford will boot you once you get your major-minimum units.  

Kids with eligibility leaving the program - including entering "the portal" - is not a good look for Stanford (or others).  But i do agree with Lex that Stanford benefits very little from transfer portal transitions, certainly far less than other schools.

2016 grad here, friend of multiple football players who took a 5th year.

Teejers is correct. 5th-year seniors sometimes "drag out" their undergrad degrees, waiting to take 1 core class necessary for graduation until their 5th year fall quarter. They can graduate after the season, and don't have to spend the full 5th year in school if they don't want to (of course, anyone who is coterming stays).