Did FCS Teams Who Brought In The Most 2023 D1 Transfers Improve?

[Da Boyz Mom]

Very interesting article by Sam Herder:

"The transfer portal giveth, and the transfer portal taketh.

The FCS has been impacted negatively and positively by the portal. Several FCS standouts have moved to the FBS. But the FCS has also seen many FBS transfers have a huge impact on their team. FBS teams spending more scholarships on transfers has also allowed the FCS to get a higher level of high school recruit.

Portal movement was at its high point heading into the 2023 season. There were about 314 FCS-to-FBS transfers, 546 FBS-to-FCS transfers, and 353 FCS-to-FCS transfers.

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Many FCS programs brought in double-digit D1 transfers from other FBS and FCS schools. Some schools did it out of necessity after losing multiple transfers. Some schools did it to plug holes. Other schools did it for a roster overhaul to try and get good fast.

The results can be a mixed bag.

Sometimes an influx of transfer talent can make a team improve rapidly. The 2022 Samford team is an example of that. Other times, too many transfers don’t mesh well on and off the field.

Of course, there are many factors in year-to-year records improving or getting worse. It isn’t always hand-in-hand with how many transfers a program brings in. Regardless, below is a look at FCS teams who brought in the most D1 transfers for the 2023 season and how their records compared to 2022."

(Click the link below to see which teams brought in the most transfers and how that improved or didn't improve their win-loss record.)

I think a case could be made that of all the teams listed, Montana got the most bang for their buck with transfers, having improved their win-loss record by five wins. Lamar also was +5 on the year, but their previous year was so pitiful (1-10) that an extra five wins just barely put them into the winning season category.

I know we all can complain a lot when we lose players to the transfer portal, but I would say at this moment in time Bobby and company are managing the portal about as well as can be expected.

Did FCS Teams Who Brought In The Most 2023 D1 Transfers Improve?

Here's a look at FCS teams who brought in the most D1 transfers for the 2023 season and how their records compared to 2022.

herosports.com

 

[MikeyGriz]

Meh!! They were just lucky and had 3 post season games bought for them!

 

[Wolf777]

Just like last years version of this article. There’s no real correlation. Probably goes to show that fit of the transfers is more important than volume. It may fill gaps and help you improve, but it probably isn’t the best way to build a program from top to bottom. As we have seen though finding niches that are lacking from a previous recruiting class can push you over the top.

I would like to point out that heading into last year there was a lot of concern that we lost stars on the defense and there was no way the defense would be as good. What we saw was a lot of amazing individual efforts together as one unit that seemed to make a difference versus previous years how the whole unit functioned. Gubner will be missed, but like OConnell it might allow the unit to not lean so heavily on the nose position and adjust accordingly to the new talent we have in the front seven. The spring game made it seem like Pat had been playing here all along. Should be a fun and exciting year. Hopefully we see them reach similar levels of success.