Smart teams approach the transfer portal with specific needs and goals, identifying plug-and-play additions who can lift a program from eight wins to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff — as was the case with Texas Tech this season.
Or, in the case of Indiana, from the cellar of the Big Ten nearly to the top of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
But there are also cases where new coaches need to use the big-tent approach of grabbing as many new players as they can to rapidly rebuild a roster. The best example of that in this year’s cycle is Oklahoma State and new coach Eric Morris.
∎ Transfers by conference: SEC | Big Ten | ACC | Big 12
The portal is closing Friday night but the fun isn’t quite over yet, as players who entered before the deadline can still sign with a new program and be eligible this season.
