The world of college football and the transfer portal has become a fascinating, yet complex, landscape. Today, we're diving into the story of former BYU football players and their post-transfer journeys. It's a tale that reveals some intriguing insights into player development and the impact of transfers.
The Transfer Portal: A Double-Edged Sword
BYU, like many college football programs, has been navigating the transfer portal era, investing time and resources to retain its talent. However, despite these efforts, players still enter the portal, seeking new opportunities. This raises an important question: do these transfers ultimately benefit from their moves?
Analyzing the Data
We examined the paths of 81 BYU football players who transferred since 2020. A significant portion, 48%, either moved down to the FCS ranks or didn't land on another college football roster. We'll focus on the remaining 52% who transferred to other FBS schools.
Mixed Results
The data suggests a mixed bag of outcomes. For some players, like linebacker Harrison Taggart and backup Crew Wakley, their production took a hit after transferring. Taggart's playing time and impact halved at Cal compared to BYU. Wakley, who might have been a backup at BYU, saw minimal playing time at Purdue.
Then there's the group whose production remained stagnant. Players like Gabe Jeudy-Lally, a former starting cornerback, maintained similar levels of production at BYU, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee. This group might have stalled their development by transferring, as staying put often leads to increased production over time.
Notable Exceptions
However, there are success stories. About 20% of transfers saw their production increase at new schools. We categorized these into two groups: those who transferred to Group of Six (G6) schools and those who moved to Power Four (P4) schools.
Most G6 transfers sought more playing time, and many achieved this. Miles Davis, for instance, became BYU's third-string running back but found success at Utah State, setting career highs in carries and yards. Dallin Holker, another notable transfer, became an All-American at Colorado State after splitting reps with Isaac Rex at BYU.
The P4 transfers are even more intriguing. Only 7% of transfers to P4 schools improved their production, but these are the players BYU would have loved to keep. Keelan Marion, for example, had a career-high 746 receiving yards at Miami after leaving BYU. John Henry Daley, a former BYU player, led the country in sacks at his new school before an injury ended his season.
Final Thoughts
The data suggests that transferring away from BYU often leads to a less productive career. Only a small percentage of transfers see improved production, and many experience drops or stagnation. It's a reminder that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and sometimes, staying put can lead to greater success. This story highlights the risks and rewards of the transfer portal era, offering a unique perspective on player development and decision-making.
What do you think? Are these findings surprising? Do they align with your expectations? Feel free to share your thoughts and insights in the comments!
