In 2018, the NCAA introduced the modernized transfer portal. It was a new system in which athletes could transfer to other schools with less restrictions than before. Previously, undergraduate players could transfer to another school to play but it would cost them a year of play time.
A revision was made in 2021 to the transfer portal—all athletes, graduate and undergraduate were immediately eligible to play for their new team the following season.
While the transfer portal has given more opportunities to student athletes, the portal is more harmful than good.
From a player’s perspective, the transfer portal is overall a positive system, as it provides more options for a player.