The Odyssey is disgusted with NIU running back Tre Harbison.
After consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, Harbison announced last Tuesday that he was entering the transfer portal, immediately before Northern Illinois’ finale with Western Michigan that night. Harbison clearly abandoned his teammates. Harbison’s absence could have impacted the MAC West winner. Harbison was so important to his team that he had 31 carries in his previous Huskie game.
It just does not seem right. The MAC is a developmental league. Want to find 4-star and 5-star recruits in the MAC? Search really hard and then give up. If Harbison’s act was a selfish outlier, we would not be up in arms. Instead, his future transfer was merely the latest move in a disturbing trend. Two of Ball State’s offensive anchors said goodbye to Muncie after 2018. James Gilbert has toted the ball for K-State and Riley O’Neal has been the sometimes-starting QB for Vanderbilt.
Mike Danna was a rare beacon on light for 2018’s Central Michigan team. Danna was an all-MAC defensive lineman for a miserable 1-11 Chippewa squad. He was honored with the Herb Deromedi Most Valuable Player trophy. That honor did not buy any loyalty. Danna transferred to Michigan at year’s end. Maybe it was fitting that CMU went on to win the MAC West in Danna’s absence while Danna had to endure a season-ending pummeling from Ohio State.
Three of Bowling Green’s most recent starting QBs have all said adios to the Falcons for other venues. James Morgan started this year at FIU. Jarrett Doege played at West Virginia. This week, Grant Loy, this year’s starter, just announced his entry into the transfer portal.
The MAC has slipped relative to other conferences in recent years. If the MAC cannot effectively use redshirting, the development of players will be retarded. With the recent exodus, one cannot blame MAC coaches for not wishing to use redshirts — which is a shame because redshirting is one way in which recruiting differences can be partially offset.
Meanwhile, the rich can get richer as they can pluck off some talented grad transfers. If the NCAA had a Bernie Sanders running the show, he might bleat about the excess of riches held by the 1%.
College football does have a looming issue with the widening gap between the “haves” and “have nots,” particularly if football players can get paid. In an unintended manner, the transfer portal appears to be a wicked accomplice.
Bronco Chris
The portal has been a two way street for many teams. WMU lost star freshman WR Jayden Reed to the portal in 2018. However, Keith Mixon and Patrick Lupro both played key roles for WMU this year after transfering in from P5 schools. Coaches must make the best of the system.