Grambling State’s Mickey Joseph suggests interesting solution to Transfer Portal

“I want to talk to you about the transfer portal,” Sports Director Zach Richardson asked. “It makes it tough on mid-major schools But just the guys that have that next man up mentality, you have the guys with that mentality and they have a chip on their shoulder. Just talk about those guys and how they are stepping into those roles.”

Joseph responded, pointing out that players taking advantage of new opportunities is now a part of today’s game.

He also stated that coaches had been doing it for years, long before the portal and NIL became what they are today.

But Joseph also suggested a method that would be a win-win for all parties involved–a buyout.

Joseph says a buyout for coaches and FCS programs that may lose a kid to a Power 4 school would allow the player to go to a situation that is more financially viable while also easing the pain on the programs impacted by the move.

Joseph stated:
“We understand and the kids understand that if they are sophomores and they have a big year, a Power 4 will approach them,” Joseph said following Saturday’s Black and Gold Spring game. “They have the finances and if I can’t match the finances, then the kids are going to go. Coaches have been doing it for years, so we shouldn’t be mad when these kids make decisions to take care of their families. But I also think their needs to be a buyout. If they [a student-athlete] move up from me and go to Group of 5 or Power 5, I should get kind of a compensation for that,” he said. “NCAA if you’re listening, we need a buyout.”

Joseph’s statement has sparked new conversations about a possible solution to the transfer portal and if a buyout is something we could see in the future.

The G-Men have completed their Spring Football season and now turn their attention to preparing for the fall camp.

 Grambling State will open its season against Ohio State, the defending FBS national champion, on Sept. 6 in Columbus.