[Goose]

At many, dare I say most, college programs, once you put your name in the portal, you're off the team effectively immediately. This isn't the cub scouts, you're either in or you're out.

I read that 41% of football players entering the portal remain with their original team and another 5% withdrew their names. So there's that. Basically, it seems like a lot of them are fishing. They just have to do it publicly.

Agree. In industry people often look at other opportunities while keeping their current position. Normally they keep it as quiet as possible. If the current employer finds out about it their response varies depending on the perceived value of the "player". If the player is very valuable, the current employer often offers raises and "matching offers" to dissuade the player from leaving. If not, they do nothing. Football players do the same, but as you point out, they can't do it "privately".
 
IMO it is also important to consider the player may have their name in the portal for reasons that are not primarily football related. They may just not like Stanford socially, have academic problems, have family "issues" of some kind, don't get along with their position coach, etc. Bachmeier has spent a winter quarter at Stanford. He did that without the initial "freshman introduction" the other freshmen received. Fall quarter is in my experience a much easier quarter. Winter quarter is the most difficult of the four, and its not close. That can be a jarring initial experience for anybody :-).

[Goose]

At many, dare I say most, college programs, once you put your name in the portal, you're off the team effectively immediately. This isn't the cub scouts, you're either in or you're out.

I read that 41% of football players entering the portal remain with their original team and another 5% withdrew their names. So there's that. Basically, it seems like a lot of them are fishing. They just have to do it publicly.

Agree. In industry people often look at other opportunities while keeping their current position. Normally they keep it as quiet as possible. If the current employer finds out about it their response varies depending on the perceived value of the "player". If the player is very valuable, the current employer often offers raises and "matching offers" to dissuade the player from leaving. If not, they do nothing. Football players do the same, but as you point out, they can't do it "privately".
 
IMO it is also important to consider the player may have their name in the portal for reasons that are not primarily football related. They may just not like Stanford socially, have academic problems, have family "issues" of some kind, don't get along with their position coach, etc. Bachmeier has spent a winter quarter at Stanford. He did that without the initial "freshman introduction" the other freshmen received. Fall quarter is in my experience a much easier quarter. Winter quarter is the most difficult of the four, and its not close. That can be a jarring initial experience for anybody :-).