Insight into navigating the hard side of being in the transfer portal.
The most recent data available from the NCAA shows that of all the Division 1 student-athletes who enter into the NCAA’s transfer portal, just over half transfer successfully. For Division II student-athletes, that number drops to just three out of 10 athletes. Not every portal entry leads to offers, but that doesn’t mean the end of your athletic career.
Some of the most common reasons you might not get an offer include:
- Program mismatches, such as limited demand for your specific position or worries that your athletic skills don’t align with a school’s specific coaching philosophy
- Academic concerns, especially with the NCAA’s new academic requirements
- Timing and exposure, such as entering the portal too late (some schools rush to fill their roster needs as soon as possible) or limited exposure and weak networking
If you want a concrete path forward, regardless of the outcome this season, be flexible and have alternative options prepared ahead of time.
Understand Your Options and Consider Staying In Your Current Program
Keep up your relationship with your current coaches and teammates, and be transparent with coaches about your intentions and dedication — you want to continue playing and training at a high level. At the same time, know your options:
- Some student-athletes choose to stay at their current institution.
- You may want to look at options outside of the NCAA network, such as junior colleges, club teams, local leagues, or even semi-pro opportunities that allow you to continue competing at a high level.
Stay Focused on Academics
The NCAA has recently changed its rules to emphasize stricter academic integrity and GPA benchmarks. Prioritize your studies. Even if you didn’t get an offer or decided not to transfer, a strong academic record keeps all future options open to you.
Maintain Eligibility and a High Profile for the NCAA Transfer Portal
If your goal is still to transfer, work with a trainer or coach on areas for athletic improvement and boosting your personal athletic brand, including your name, image, and likeness. This includes focusing on your training, updating your highlight reel, and networking with coaches and other teams to improve your chances should you try the NCAA transfer portal again during its next window.
Proactive Steps to Take If You Don’t Get an Offer
Start by focusing on yourself.
Specifically, why do you want to transfer in the first place?
This can help improve your odds the next time and also clarify your desires. For instance, are your goals to find a better program culture? Or perhaps you want to focus on increasing your playing time. Knowing your priorities will help you to narrow down the schools you’re targeting to find the best fit.
Focusing on yourself also includes your mental health, as not getting an offer can bring a lot of stress and anxiety for student-athletes. A positive outlook and strong mindset are foundational for optimized athletic performance, so consider resources that help cultivate a performance mindset and one-on-one digital coaching — you’ll be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses and get personalized mental performance coaching so you’re ready for the next transfer window.
You’ll also want to:
- Reassess your digital presence to catch the eye of coaches, schools, and recruiters.
- Expand your search criteria and transfer options after assessing your strengths and weaknesses.
- Keep networking with other schools.
At PAC-Hub, we provide a powerful transfer portal platform that stays up-to-date with NCAA regulations, empowers you to create a profile highlighting your athletic and academic accomplishments, and creates a level playing field for all student-athletes. Learn more today!
