Kirk Ferentz explains Iowa’s new approach to the transfer portal following key additions

Kirk Ferentz and his Iowa program previously did not spend much time utilizing the transfer portal. That all changed this offseason.

This offseason, the Hawkeyes added 6 players via transfer. That group includes key offensive pieces in QB Cade McNamara and TE Erick All to go with veteran LB Nick Jackson.

While Iowa has not hit the transfer portal as hard as other programs (and the usage is certainly a far cry from Deion Sanders at Colorado), there did appear to be a shift in Iowa’s philosophy regarding the portal. Ferentz was asked about that shift at B1G Media Days.

He explained this is simply “a very different world” of college football than just 3-5 years ago.  Ferentz also referenced examples of transfers having great success in situations that work out great for both parties.

“The answer is what’s changed is our world. We’re living in a very different world as college football coaches than we were three years ago, five years ago, ten years ago,” said Ferentz. “There are examples in the past of transfers having great success and working out for both parties.

“Now, the way we’re operating now is just going to be part of the terrain moving forward unless we see change. We’re just going to try to incorporate our same process, if you will, with it, and there’s also some benefit to it. There’s some advantages to getting guys that have played and competed already at a high level.”

Ferentz went on to say the focus will always be on finding players that fit the program, and the process of adding new players can still be “a little scary” sometimes.

“I think the big thing like all of us, whether it was in recruiting or now looking at the portal, we’re trying to get players to fit with what your program deems to be important,” Ferentz explained. “So that was our process and really feel good about it.

“It’s a little scary, like bringing new players in is scary, whether they’re high school prospects or college football players. Just can’t say enough about the way the guys have transitioned into our program.”

We’ll see how the new approach works for the Hawkeyes, but they certainly added some key players ahead of the 2023 season.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.