In the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics, transferring schools has become increasingly prevalent, and the NFL is taking notice. Gone are the days when transfers were viewed with skepticism by talent evaluators; today, they are seen as a natural part of the player development process. This shift in perspective is reflected in the 2023 NFL Draft, where over one-third of the 398 prospects invited to the Scouting Combine have transferred at least once.
Among the most notable transfer prospects is USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the odds-on favorite to be selected first overall by the Chicago Bears. Williams spent his freshman year at Oklahoma before following coach Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles, where he threw for 72 touchdowns in two seasons with the Trojans. Another highly touted transfer is Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who spent two seasons at LSU after playing three years at Arizona State.
According to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former pro scout, transfers are no longer seen as a negative. “Transfers, in terms of impacting guys and grades, no, that’s not really an issue anymore,” said Jeremiah. “I know once upon a time it would come up in draft meetings. But I’m old enough to remember when I first started in ’03 we had discussions in the draft about a player having tattoos! Think how silly that is when we fast-forward 20 years. Some things become less important. And nobody really cares about the transfer thing anymore.”
The relaxation of transfer rules, combined with the ability for athletes to earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, has given players more options and flexibility. Players can now transfer without having to sit out a season, and they can also make money through NIL deals, which can help them offset the costs of college and prepare for a professional career.
While transferring is not without its challenges, it can provide athletes with opportunities to improve their skills, increase their exposure, and potentially increase their draft stock. Players who transfer to schools with better coaching, facilities, and competition can often develop their skills more quickly and showcase their talents to a wider audience.
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, it is likely that transferring will become even more common. The NCAA has recently adopted a new rule that allows athletes to transfer multiple times without having to sit out a season, and this is likely to lead to even more movement between schools. As a result, NFL talent evaluators will need to become even more comfortable with evaluating transfer prospects and understanding the factors that contribute to their success or failure on the field.
