"Reasons Why Collegiate Football Athletes Enter the Transfer Portal"

The increasing trend of collegiate football players entering the transfer portal has piqued significant interest in recent years, yet little is understood about the specific reasons behind these decisions. This study aims to investigate the primary factors influencing why collegiate football players decide to enter the transfer portal. The research question guiding this study is: “What are the primary factors in the reasons that collegiate football athletes enter the transfer portal?” Our hypothesis posits that there are identifiable primary factors in the reasons why collegiate football athletes enter the transfer portal. Using a probability sampling method, the study will gather data from a sample of 60 collegiate football players, consisting of 30 athletes from Liberty University and 30 from surrounding universities in Virginia, including James Madison University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Old Dominion University. Liberty University will serve as the primary data collection site, with additional data sourced from nearby institutions. Participants will complete a Google Form survey [See Figure 4], which will include questions aimed at uncovering specific reasons athletes cite for transferring. A previous study conducted by Cox and Lawson (2020) in “The Impact of Transfer Portals in Collegiate Athletics: A Comprehensive Review” identified key motivations, including playing time, coaching changes, academic opportunities, and financial incentives [See Figure 2 & 3]. By identifying the key motivations for transfer portal entries, we look to contribute to the understanding of the evolving landscape of collegiate football and provide insights into the experiences and decision-making processes of student-athletes. This research may inform coaches, athletic departments, and policy makers as they navigate the complexities of player retention and recruitment in the modern collegiate sports environment. Additionally, this research may lay the foundation for future studies exploring the broader implications of the transfer portal in collegiate sports.