How Often Do College Football Players Transfer?

[SNAFU]

Study from the 2021 class-

Players in the Class of 2021 were the first in college football history to begin their careers with the freedom to transfer once with guaranteed, immediate eligibility. Further rule changes gave them the ability to do so multiple times.

In total, 60.3 percent (362 of 600) of players examined transferred at least once. Of that group, a third (33.4 percent) transferred multiple times.

Class of 2021 top players’ career utilization of the transfer portal​

Top 50 prospects by each position, according to 247Sports composite rankings
A chart depicting the transfer percentage and multi transfer percentage of top prospects in each position for the class of 2021.
Table with 3 columns and 12 rows. (column headers with buttons are sortable)

Pos.	Transfer %	Multi-transfers
QB	84%	36%
RB	70%	30%
WR	82%	30%
TE	52%	16%
OT	44%	8%
IOL	52%	14%
EDGE	34%	14%
DL	54%	20%
LB	60%	20%
CB	66%	18%
SAF	68%	14%
ATH	58%	22%

Note: Multi-transfers indicates the percentage of top prospects who played for more than two schools
Source: 247Sports

The Athletic

 

[YankeeVol]

60%. That's meshuga

 

[BruisedOrange]

I think it would be meaningful to identify how many of these transfers were preceeded by a change of the player's position coach or coordinator.

We all know how critical relationships are to recruiting, and I think a transfer under those conditions is always warranted. Part of that "commitment contract" was to be taught technique under a certain position coach, and to apply your skills within the scheme or philosophy of a certain coordinator. If your chosen school changes their side of that arrangement, in my mind that's a different kind of tranfer. Clarifying that would make the above chart more meaningful, separating apples from kumquats.

I must say I'm surprised that EDGE rushers were the least likely (at 34%) to transfer. My expectation was that their success is more scheme & technique-dependent, and that, among defensive linemen, EDGE rushers are more inclined to "pre-Madonna" attitudes. I'm sure my stereotypes couldn't be wrong.

 

[MontyPython]

Welcome to the world of NIL, unrestricted "free agency" and teenagers who don't know ****.