Stonehill students athletes on the transfer portal

By Quintarius Reynolds

Miles Wilson was playing football at Merrimack College but wasn’t happy.

He wasn’t getting enough playing time and the coaching style and team culture didn’t feel like the right fit for him. He was looking for a different school and different team through the transfer portal, the online system used by athletes seeking a new start.

For many athletes, entering the portal means betting on themselves and hoping a new environment will help them grow as a person, student, and athlete.

“I went to the transfer portal for a different scenario and to put myself on a team where my leadership and talent can be benefited,” Wilson said, now a wide receiver at Stonehill College . “I wanted to bring something new to the team. It was stressful, I picked my first offer and it took five or six days for me to decide where to go. I had five offers in the first two days and I found a home so I’m blessed.”

Wilson’s experience reflects a growing trend among athletes who want a fresh start or a better opportunity to showcase their abilities. The transfer portal for college athletes has changed college sports by giving student athletes the power to seek new opportunities but it has also created uncertainty, stress, and intense pressure.

The portal allows players to communicate with coaches, receive offers and evaluations, and choose a program that fits their goals. But the process is fast, competitive, and emotional athletes must act quickly, especially when scholarships are limited and roster spots fill fast.

After student-athletes enter the portal, their names become visible to college coaches nationwide. This creates a second wave of recruiting different from the high-school experience because they already have collegiate experience, often must transfer quickly, and must balance academic, social and athletic considerations but just as intense. For many players, it is a chance to reintroduce themselves ,prove their value, and secure a better situation academically, socially, and athletically.

Zachery Kim, a wide receiver on Stonehill's football team said “The transfer portal is quite the experience. It’s an exciting time, but the uncertainty is also frightening. It’s like high-school recruiting all over again. At the end of the day everyone has to do what’s best for themselves and their future.”

Kim’s words highlight one of the biggest challenges players face which is uncertainty. Some athletes enter the portal hoping for many offers but not everyone receives the attention they expect. Others receive too many offers at once and feel rushed to make decisions. The entire process forces athletes to think about what matters most: playing time, coaching style, school environment, education and long term career goals.

The NCAA created the transfer portal to give players more freedom, but that freedom comes withresponsibility. Athletes must research programs, understand scholarship rulesand communicate clearly with coaches. They also must decide whether they want system that fits their style and a team that needs their position or a programthat can develop them for the next level.

For coaches the portal changes roster management. Teams can rebuild quickly through transfers, but they also risk losing experienced players. This creates a constantly shifting landscape where the athlete coach relationship matters more than ever. Transparency, trust, and communication can keep a player committed or push them toward a new opportunity.

For student athletes the decision to enter the portal is rarely simple. It involves emotions, expectations, and pressure from friends, family, and teammates. Some players leave because of playing time. Others want a better academic fit or a different coaching philosophy. Some seek to prove themselves after injuries or personal setbacks.

Despite the pressure, the portal opens doors. Wilson’s journey shows how quickly a player can find success in the right environment. Kim’s experience shows how difficult and emotional the process can be. Together, their stories paint a real picture of what student-athletes face in today’s college sports world.

In the end, the transfer portal represents opportunity along with the risk that comes with betting on yourself. As Wilson said, finding the right home is a blessing. 

And as Kim reminded, every athlete must do what is best for their future. The portal is reshaping college sports, and athletes are learning that their choices matter more than ever.