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The Inside Stuff The Transfer Portal: Your Thoughts!

I have talked to several folks from fans to parents of players, coaches, and administrators on the topic of the Transfer Portal.

I have read a few articles that range from”

  • The pros and cons for young athletes when it comes to the college transfer portal
  • Is the Transfer Portal Helping or Hurting College Athletic Programs?
I have drawn my conclusions, but this is less about what I think about the subject and more about what the Army fans here on GBK have to say about the transfer portal. And not only what it means or how you feel relative Army West Point athletics, but the sphere of college athletics as a whole.

Please Chime In …

House vs NCAA Fallout

Just read House v NCAA findings and fallout . The new provisions from this revolutionary court case require, inter alia, that Division 1 football roster size be capped at 105 , and that every athlete on the roster can receive up to a full scholarship. In the past FBS teams could have only 85 scholarship players, but the roster , which averaged about 130, was not limited or capped . So walk-ons added around 45 non- scholarship players to the 85 on scholarship to round out the roster. These walk-ons hoped to eventually get a scholarship , but in reality few did . Basically the walk-ons provided a Scout Team without a guarantee of the player getting anything in return.

Now every FBS roster is to be capped at 105 athletes. That's a reduction of 25 from the current average of 130 . Every one of those 105 roster spots is entitled to receive a scholarship; however, teams might not offer all 105 a scholarship . They could still go with 85 scholarships and have 20 walk ons within their 105 -- or whatever mix they choose not to exceed 105, It's their choice . However if the school signs up for revenue sharing they must fully fill all roster spots with scholarship athletes -- not only for football but all sports. Another subject .

What is the impact? Well this year these FBS teams , which on average have carried 130 guys on the roster , will have to cut back to 105. Many of those who were hanging on as walk-ons at a Power 4 school entered the transfer portal this year hoping to find a scholarship home elsewhere --like a Group of 5 team perhaps. ( Over 3000 FBS players entered the portal this year -- or about 23 per team on average . Last I saw on ON3 62% found a new home) I read that the SEC has decided to stay at 85 scholarships this year -- their choice of course.. Beyond the 85 they can have 20 more players ( walk-ons) on their roster. That's it! Some coaches ( K Smart for one) have advanced the idea of having a practice squad of some sort to augment the 105 roster players, but for now they have to live with 105. The loss of 25 players ( on average) will adversely impact practice sessions as the players available to model the upcoming opposition's offense and defense ( aka traditional Scout Team ) during practice would be significantly reduced .

I have not seen anything official or otherwise which addresses the 3 FBS service academies under this new system . Some say SAs are exempt from House fall out , but is there some possibility that the NCAA or their respective conferences could limit the football team's roster to 105 players as per the other conference schools? Of course these academy athletes are not on a football scholarship per se. They enjoy a taxpayer funded appointment enroute to commissioning and a five year service obligation in return . But things have changed . In the past when FBS teams had no roster cap they ignored the 165 - 175 players on the USMA football September roster - let alone our USMAPS "redshirts". Now with a 105 FBS roster cap will that still be the case? Seems like there is a lot to play out with regard to the "new system" -- very fuzzy. Per chance has GBK addressed with the AD or Coach Monken ? Thank you gents .

The Inside Stuff GBK's Joe Iacono's Post Practice (3/12) Video Interview with Defensive Coordinator Nate Woody

If you want to know what's unfolding on the defensive side of the ball so far this spring, then check out GBK's Joe Iacono's one-on-one with DC Nate Woody




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The Inside Stuff GBK: "Best Non-Army Football Sports Thing I Saw Today Thread!"

Hey Army Fans and GBK Subscribers,

As you know, GBK is always attempting to come up with ideas to ensure that during this offseason, but honestly, all the time ... the 12th Knight message board is active, engaging, and interactive.

That being said and again, here we are in June and one thread that we want to start is called "Best Non-Army Football Sports Thing I Saw Today!".


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Needless to say there are so many sports-related topics, so this is not a matter of BEST topic per se, but more so what caught your eye and others can talk about it or add their own Best Non-Army Football Sports Thing I Saw Today.

There are a couple of topics that caught my attention from yesterday’s sports activities, but I am going to allow the fans here to chime in first …


… SO LET’S KICK THIS OFF RIGHT NOW!

Army West Point Wrestling in the Top 25

Through Games FEB. 23, 2025
RANKTEAM (FIRST)RECORDPOINTSPREVIOUS
1Penn State (16)(15-0)4001
2Iowa(14-1)3833
3Oklahoma State(13-1)3672
4Northern Iowa(14-1)3544
5Nebraska(11-3)3335
6Minnesota(10-2)3206
7Ohio State(13-3)3008
8Virginia Tech(9-2)27910
9NC State(11-2)2687
10Cornell(11-1)2529
11Rutgers(14-5)23311
12Iowa State(12-5)23212
13South Dakota State(14-4)21713
14Illinois(9-4)19614
15Little Rock(17-3)18115
16North Carolina(9-6)14716
17Pittsburgh(10-6)14518
18Stanford(10-5)13517
19Michigan(7-5)11419
20Oklahoma(8-4)9420
21Lehigh(7-4)7921
22Indiana(8-5)5722
23Army West Point(8-3)4723
24West Virginia(10-7)2324
25Missouri(5-10)1625
Others Receiving Votes: Penn 9, Wyoming 8, Campbell 6, Navy 2, Oregon State 2, Northern Colorado 1.

Army Football Army Black Knights Spring Practice Reminder!

SPRING PRACTICE DATES
  • Thursday, February 27
  • Tuesday, March 4
  • Thursday, March 6
  • Saturday, March 8
  • Monday, March 10
  • Wednesday, March 12
  • Tuesday, March 25
  • Thursday, March 27
  • Saturday, March 29
  • Tuesday, April 1
  • Thursday, April 3
  • Saturday, April 5
  • Monday, April 7
  • Wednesday, April 9
Friday, April 11 – SPRING GAME


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Football Recruiting GBK Recruiting Update: Post Black Knights Junior Day (3/8) Update

Coach Monken and the staff hosted an impressive group of 2026 prospects during the 2nd Junior Day this season.






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