News
November 21, 2025
Mac Engel: Ex-Texas A&M QB offers rare opinion of NIL, transfer portal. There are strings.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Two of the top-rated quarterbacks in the country coming out of Texas high schools in 2019 are the examples in 2025 of why the transfer portal is the mess that works for the student-athlete. Or it...
FORT WORTH, Texas — In the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, few topics are as hotly debated as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. Now, a former Texas A&M quarterback is offering a unique perspective on these complex issues, highlighting both their potential benefits and inherent drawbacks.
Mac Engel, writing from Fort Worth, focuses on the stories of two highly-touted quarterbacks who emerged from Texas high schools in 2019. These athletes, once brimming with promise, now serve as prime examples of the double-edged sword that is the modern college football experience. Their journeys illustrate how the transfer portal, while offering increased agency to student-athletes, can also create unforeseen challenges and uncertainties.
Engel's piece suggests that while the transfer portal empowers athletes to seek better opportunities and playing time, it also contributes to a sense of instability within programs. The constant movement of players can disrupt team chemistry and make it difficult for coaches to build long-term strategies.
The former Texas A&M quarterback's opinion, while not explicitly stated in the provided description, implies a nuanced understanding of the situation. It's likely he recognizes the advantages the NIL era and the transfer portal offer athletes, such as increased financial opportunities and the ability to control their career trajectory. However, he also seems to acknowledge the potential pitfalls, including the pressure to perform, the risk of making hasty decisions, and the potential for exploitation.
The article hints at the presence of "strings" attached to these newfound freedoms. These could refer to the increased expectations placed on athletes who benefit from NIL deals, the competitive nature of the transfer portal, or the complex legal and financial considerations involved in navigating this new era of college sports. Ultimately, Engel's piece promises a thought-provoking analysis of the transfer portal and NIL, urging readers to consider the long-term implications for both student-athletes and the future of college athletics. He encourages a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the potential benefits and the inherent risks involved in this rapidly changing environment.
Mac Engel, writing from Fort Worth, focuses on the stories of two highly-touted quarterbacks who emerged from Texas high schools in 2019. These athletes, once brimming with promise, now serve as prime examples of the double-edged sword that is the modern college football experience. Their journeys illustrate how the transfer portal, while offering increased agency to student-athletes, can also create unforeseen challenges and uncertainties.
Engel's piece suggests that while the transfer portal empowers athletes to seek better opportunities and playing time, it also contributes to a sense of instability within programs. The constant movement of players can disrupt team chemistry and make it difficult for coaches to build long-term strategies.
The former Texas A&M quarterback's opinion, while not explicitly stated in the provided description, implies a nuanced understanding of the situation. It's likely he recognizes the advantages the NIL era and the transfer portal offer athletes, such as increased financial opportunities and the ability to control their career trajectory. However, he also seems to acknowledge the potential pitfalls, including the pressure to perform, the risk of making hasty decisions, and the potential for exploitation.
The article hints at the presence of "strings" attached to these newfound freedoms. These could refer to the increased expectations placed on athletes who benefit from NIL deals, the competitive nature of the transfer portal, or the complex legal and financial considerations involved in navigating this new era of college sports. Ultimately, Engel's piece promises a thought-provoking analysis of the transfer portal and NIL, urging readers to consider the long-term implications for both student-athletes and the future of college athletics. He encourages a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the potential benefits and the inherent risks involved in this rapidly changing environment.
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Sports