By: Joe Wisniewski
January 30, 2025
Photo Credit: NCAA
The Transfer Portal has become a cornerstone of modern college sports, reshaping how teams build their rosters and how athletes navigate their careers. As of today, 3,309 players have entered the Portal, a testament to its importance as a tool for programs to fill immediate needs with experienced, proven talent. Last offseason, the Ohio State football team reportedly spent $20 million assembling a roster through the Portal, filling key gaps en route to their 2025 national championship. Programs are increasingly prioritizing experienced players from the transfer portal, prompting young athletes to pursue creative strategies, such as beginning their careers at smaller schools, to stand out.
Additionally, the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era has added a new layer to the Portal's significance. Athletes entering the Portal are not only seeking better athletic opportunities but also evaluating programs based on the NIL opportunities they offer. High-profile transfers are leveraging their marketability to secure lucrative endorsement deals, further incentivizing movement between schools. While this approach has cemented the Portal's value for programs seeking instant-impact players, it’s not just schools leveraging this tool to their advantage—players, too, are using it to shape their own paths to success, both on and off the field.
Now, players like D’Shaun Ford are flipping the script. Instead of entering a crowded depth chart at a powerhouse SEC program, Ford is strategically starting his career at a smaller Division I school, Louisiana-Monroe (ULM), with the goal of maximizing playing time, development, and eventual transfer opportunities. Ford announced his commitment during the High School Football 2025 Navy All-American Bowl, a stage that underscored his status as a top prospect. In a story posted after his commitment, Ford revealed to On3's head recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong that he plans to eventually enter the Transfer Portal, mirroring the path blazed by Ahmad Hardy. Hardy, a former ULM running back standout, leveraged a stellar freshman campaign at ULM to transfer to Missouri and compete on a larger stage, setting a clear blueprint that Ford intends to follow.
Ford’s decision highlights the shifting dynamics of college football recruiting. Traditionally, highly-touted players gravitated toward powerhouse programs, drawn by the promise of immediate exposure and top-tier competition. However, with the advent of instant eligibility through the Transfer Portal, players like Ford are choosing a different path. He represents a new wave of athletes opting for smaller schools as stepping stones, prioritizing early playing time and development over immediate name recognition. While some might argue that he’s forgoing lucrative NIL opportunities available at larger programs, Ford is betting on his long-term potential. This move also underscores how programs like ULM are evolving in this new ecosystem. By offering immediate starting roles and a platform for players to shine, these schools are becoming essential hubs in the talent pipeline, reshaping the distribution of talent across Division I football.
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