Why so many in the Portal

[CHATTBRIT]

Just wondering if the number of kids entering the portal is indicative of the competition being too strong for them. No knock on the guys, but maybe they feel the others kids will beat them out of a place.

 

[Tidewater]

Just wondering if the number of kids entering the portal is indicative of the competition being too strong for them. No knock on the guys, but maybe they feel the others kids will beat them out of a place.

I would bet it varies from case to case.
Some are used to being told they walk on water, and then proving it on the field, only to come to Tuscaloosa and discovering that everybody at Bama (and LSU, and Georgia, and Florida, etc.) walked on water in high school. I bet that's quite a shock. "I can go to the University of Houston and start, and play against good players (but not SEC great players)."

Others probably dug themselves a hole and were told what they needed to do to climb out of it, and rebelled at the idea. It is often hard for young people to look themselves in the mirror and say, "I screwed up." It is easier to say, "Screw him, man. If he does not see my talent, I'll go somewhere else."

 

[Ole Man Dan]

Just wondering if the number of kids entering the portal is indicative of the competition being too strong for them. No knock on the guys, but maybe they feel the others kids will beat them out of a place.

On a case by case ??? Who knows.
If I had to call it, I'd say most saw themselves buried in the line up, and they want to transfer to play. If they thought they would start at Alabama, I don't think a lot of guys would go thru the 'Looking Glass'.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Why is this a surprise? Most everyone knew this was going to happen as soon as the NCAA made it clear that it would bend its own rules wrt making players sit out a year. Grass is always greener and all that.

If the NCAA bending its own rules is a shock to anyone, they've not been paying attention. At all.

 

[Bama9001]

We have to drop guys to get to the 85 limit and still have a couple to go I believe. Coaches have probably discussed where these guys stand relative to the competition and they've decided to move on based on those discussions. I like all these guys and wish we could have kept them. You never know when the light might come on for these players.

Back after signing day when it was clear that we were 6-8 over the limit I poured over the roster trying to see who the guys were that I might think were expendable. There were a couple specialists and maybe one 5th year senior but other than that I liked them all. Point being, we have a lot of really good talent and, unfortunately, we'll see some of that talent playing elsewhere.

 

[Bama9001]

Wish the NCAA would have bent the rules and let everyone carry 90 total this year. Why have people transferring during a pandemic.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

short answer, 85 limit and playing time.

 

[RammerJammer15]

Playing time mostly also the fact that the NCAA is granting immediate eligibility like Oprah gave away cars.

 

[BamaMoon]

I agree it's because of multiple reasons and almost every case is a little different.

I've got a little different perspective and don't have a huge problem with guys buried on the DC wanting to transfer.

I played one year of NAIA basketball after being the "star" of my HS basketball team and when you love a game and play almost every minute and then go to college and have to sit on the bench and only get limited PT it is NO FUN. It literally become a job you start hating.

Realizing most of these kids (even at Bama) will not go pro, they all are probably missing the opportunity to "play."

 

[The Ols]

I agree it's because of multiple reasons and almost every case is a little different.

I've got a little different perspective and don't have a huge problem with guys buried on the DC wanting to transfer.

I played one year of NAIA basketball after being the "star" of my HS basketball team and when you love a game and play almost every minute and then go to college and have to sit on the bench and only get limited PT it is NO FUN. It literally become a job you start hating.

Realizing most of these kids (even at Bama) will not go pro, they all are probably missing the opportunity to "play."

The Moon dropping The Rock from three!!! I can hear the call now...I like it!!!

 

[BamaMoon]

The Moon dropping The Rock from three!!! I can hear the call now...I like it!!!

LOL...that was a time long ago in a land far away! I literally haven't shot a basketball in years!

 

[BamaNation]

I think from now on, when a player - any player - "commits" they should just say something along the lines of ...

"I"m planning on going to XYZ [wherever they "commit" as a HS jr/sr] and I'll try to do what they want me to do for as long as I can stand it - especially if they overlook all my talent / work ethic / classroom / off-the-field deficiencies and allow me to play and for as long as others don't outwork me."

I don't begrudge anyone going wherever it is they think they can get whatever it is they're looking for (playing time, fewer enforced rules, better parties, "fit," or whatever). Just don't call it a "commitment."

Any player should be able to transfer anywhere s/he wants to go for any reason in any year at any time. However, they should have to sit for ONE YEAR from the day of transfer - without exception. They shouldn't lose eligibility year(s) in a transfer but the consequence should be no playing for a year.

 

[bamamick]

All of us played ball at some time or another while growing up. Little by little our talent level weeded us out of the system and let us know that our playing days were over. Luckily for these guys there are different levels where they can play, just not at the uber elite Alabama level.

If I am Braxton Barker I am transferring to BSC or somewhere like that to get the chance to play. He could always go back to Tuscaloosa for a Masters. But there is clock on those guys and a day coming when they will not be able to play. They should get as much out of their time playing ball as they can.

rtr

 

[Padreruf]

Don't forget parents who think their kid is the next Heisman Trophy winner...I'm sure this is part of the problem.

 

[CrimsonProf]

Congrats to Moon for the gracious take on this - which is probably the case for many guys - instead of the cynical take.

 

[TideMan09]

Yup.. I'm sure in some cases there's discipline issues & are nudged by the coaching staff to enter the portal..

Like others have said when you're used to being treat as "The Big Man" on campus, only to come to Bama, then dealing with other players as talented & in many cases, there's lots players as talented or more talented players that's been bidding there time until their number gets called..I'm sure it's a shock & in their minds and impossible situation to overcome..

 

[bamaslammer]

Then there is the Joe Burrow effect, a backup at OS and two years later holding the Heisman and a Natty Ring. I believe that can give everyone the impression they are just a little playing time from 1st round draft pick when in reality most guys that have transferred from Alabama have played slightly more but few made a big impact. There are of course some who did but none anywhere close to Burrow, who years from now will probably be known as the exception, not the rule. (and possibly as a huge NFL bust but we will have to wait and see on that)

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Then there is the Joe Burrow effect, a backup at OS and two years later holding the Heisman and a Natty Ring. I believe that can give everyone the impression they are just a little playing time from 1st round draft pick when in reality most guys that have transferred from Alabama have played slightly more but few made a big impact. There are of course some who did but none anywhere close to Burrow, who years from now will probably be known as the exception, not the rule. (and possibly as a huge NFL bust but we will have to wait and see on that)

There ya go...

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Don't forget parents who think their kid is the next Heisman Trophy winner...I'm sure this is part of the problem.

And "advisers," and "handlers," and "representatives."

Just wait until Name-Image-Likeness gets real, and there's money to be made while in college, not just afterward.

You heard it here first -- there will be lawsuits over playing time, suspensions, etc. I'd be only mildly surprised at a lawsuit over playcalling at crucial situations. As in, "coach didn't give me the ball on 4th and goal at the 1. I would have scored and made a bonus on my endorsement contract. Now, he owes me for that."

 

[Con]

And "advisers," and "handlers," and "representatives."

Just wait until Name-Image-Likeness gets real, and there's money to be made while in college, not just afterward.

You heard it here first -- there will be lawsuits over playing time, suspensions, etc.

This is when I wonder if Coach Saban will decide to hang it up. Will he be willing to put up with this mess or will the advisers believe in Coach because of his track record? The younger coaches may really bungle the decisions since they don't have the years under their belt to demand the respect like the older coaches.