[slide]

The portal activity does not necessarily mean anything is wrong with the program, the coaches or the team culture.  There may be problems, but the era of reading a lot into each outbound transfer is long gone.

We need look no further than Alabama.
Does anyone believe Alabama has a coach that is struggling to motivate players?
Does anyone believe Alabama has some hidden toxic team culture?

And yet, just a day after the CFPCG 7 Bama players jumped into the portal.   Amazingly, Georgia WON the CG and even they have 2 players seeking better opportunities. 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...fer-portal

In 2022 players moving to the portal is just a reality.  Based on Bama's experience I feel we can conclude that in future seasons every team will see some meaningful percentage of the players seeking to move.  (Not enough play time, not starting, 5 star recruit coming in, 5 star transfer coming in, better NIL opportunities elsewhere, etc.)

The problem for Stanford will be that while many can leave, very very few can enter.   And that's not going to change.

That lack of inbound traffic will mean a critical tool that other teams will use to address gaps will not be an option.

Hopefully, Stanford athletes will be less likely to jump into the transfer portal just because of the value of the Stanford degree and experience, but going forward Stanford may see more players leave if they genuinely believe their NFL prospects will improve in different programs.

a couple notes.  the Alabama portal guys are guys who are not starters or have been overrecruited or both.  Jones and Peat were 1st and 2nd in RB depth chart (by starts and snaps) and certainly not overrecruited.  hopefully, with 3 summer class loads completed, both Jones and Peat are close to graduation.  if not, it is even harder to put lipstick on this pig.

[slide]

The portal activity does not necessarily mean anything is wrong with the program, the coaches or the team culture.  There may be problems, but the era of reading a lot into each outbound transfer is long gone.

We need look no further than Alabama.
Does anyone believe Alabama has a coach that is struggling to motivate players?
Does anyone believe Alabama has some hidden toxic team culture?

And yet, just a day after the CFPCG 7 Bama players jumped into the portal.   Amazingly, Georgia WON the CG and even they have 2 players seeking better opportunities. 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...fer-portal

In 2022 players moving to the portal is just a reality.  Based on Bama's experience I feel we can conclude that in future seasons every team will see some meaningful percentage of the players seeking to move.  (Not enough play time, not starting, 5 star recruit coming in, 5 star transfer coming in, better NIL opportunities elsewhere, etc.)

The problem for Stanford will be that while many can leave, very very few can enter.   And that's not going to change.

That lack of inbound traffic will mean a critical tool that other teams will use to address gaps will not be an option.

Hopefully, Stanford athletes will be less likely to jump into the transfer portal just because of the value of the Stanford degree and experience, but going forward Stanford may see more players leave if they genuinely believe their NFL prospects will improve in different programs.

a couple notes.  the Alabama portal guys are guys who are not starters or have been overrecruited or both.  Jones and Peat were 1st and 2nd in RB depth chart (by starts and snaps) and certainly not overrecruited.  hopefully, with 3 summer class loads completed, both Jones and Peat are close to graduation.  if not, it is even harder to put lipstick on this pig.