The transfer portal causes the Odyssey much pain. We are torn. Certainly, everybody deserves the right to “better themselves.” However, we keep thinking that the portal is a way for the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. We intensely dislike Group of 5 teams morphing into de facto farm clubs for the Power 5. Yuck!!!
Two examples from this week’s announcements: Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec announced his intent to transfer. Jeff Hafley and the rest of the folks in Chestnut Hill cannot be happy today. The Eagles provided a home to Jurkovec after his transfer from Notre Dame. BC’s 2022 was curtailed by a spate of injuries that weakened an already suspect offensive line. If Jurkovec thought that the offensive line in 2023 would not offer significant improvement, one can better understand his decision. Still, the decision feels a touch disloyal to a program that needs all the help it can muster.
Sometimes, “the rats are not leaving a sinking ship” but a ship that is sea worthy. Nobody questions the viability of Iowa’s football program under the 20+-year tenure of Kirk Ferentz. However, a shoddy offense torpedoed a defense that was generally magnificent in 2022. Two of Iowa’s most prestigious recruits in recent years at wide receiver, Arland Bruce IV and Keagan Johnson, have bolted this week. Undoubtedly , the two wideouts saw what last year’s wide receiver transfer from the Iowa program, Charlie Jones, did at Purdue this fall. Jones morphed from relative obscurity into one of 2022’s most statistically accomplished receivers with 97 catches for 1,199 yards and 12 TDs.
Note to Iowa receivers: Incoming transfer portal QB, Cade McNamara, is not a hack. McNamara only led Michigan to its first Big Ten championship in 17 years. The Odyssey will root for McNamara in 2023 as he was dealt a tough hand at Michigan after a very successful 2021. We feel badly that McNamara is not fully appreciated by Maize and Blue faithful. It is a shame Iowa does not play Michigan in 2022 as we would have rooted for McNamara to have a good game versus his former squad.
There will be more entrants into the transfer portal that give the Odyssey indigestion. We will have lots of aspirin ready.