Sam Pittman: The transfer portal is a gift and a curse

The transfer portal has reshaped college sports for better and for worse, depending on who you ask. 

The transfer portal has reshaped college sports for better and for worse, depending on who you ask.

During his Monday press conference with the media in preparation for Ole Miss, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman extensively responded about the transfer portal and how it shapes his mindset in finding players.

“Everybody wants to win now. Yes, I think it certainly has changed the way that I’ve looked at the transfer portal, too,” Pittman said.

Some of the top players on the Arkansas roster are from the transfer portal. Jadon Haselwood was high-profile transfer from Oklahoma. Drew Sanders, who is on his way to being an All-American, likely, came from Alabama. And for Pittman, going out to get these guys was not an easy decision because it affects the current guys he recruited out of high school.

“Now I think if you have a really good player, regardless of what position he is, if he wants to come, you take him,” Pittman continued. “Before I wouldn’t do that. Before I was like ‘No, no, I’m going to be loyal to these guys. They’re plenty good enough for us to win the SEC.’ But part of that has become, with all the injuries that we’ve had this year, your backup better be as good as your starter or close to it.”

The best symbol for the gift and the curse effect is recruiting. Because of the portal, another element has been added to the overwhelming experience of picking the right school. Talent is being more scattered out, which could be a reason why Alabama hasn’t looked so dominant since the portal opened.

There has never been a time when talent is spread across the country like today.

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