Is DII Creating a "Transfer Heaven" at the Expense of High School Recruits? By NSR Staff The NCAA transfer portal has fundamentally changed college athletics at every level. It has now become a more active and fluid marketplace than ever before. This creates a challenging environment for high school recruits, and not just at the Division I level, Division II is becoming a "transfer heaven" for experienced college players. This dynamic, coupled with a proposed new DII 5th year of eligibility, is squeezing high school athletes out of the recruiting process and making it harder than ever to secure a spot on a DII roster. Why DII is a "Transfer Heaven" Several factors are contributing to DII's popularity as a transfer destination. For an athlete in the portal, DII offers a compelling combination of opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere. A Destination for Experienced Players: With so many Division I athletes jumping in the transfer portal, it has become flooded with experienced talent. This has made DII a top landing spot for players seeking playing time and a fresh start. This influx of experienced players creates a highly competitive recruiting market for DII coaches, who have more options than ever. The Proposed 5th Year Rule: The Division II Management Council is considering a new rule that would allow athletes to compete for a fifth season. If passed, this would further increase the number of experienced college players in the system, making DII rosters even more competitive. This adds another layer of pressure on high school recruits. Proven Talent: DII coaches can recruit players who have already competed and have a track record of success at the college level. This significantly reduces the risk of recruiting an unproven high school player. A transfer comes with college-level game film, verified stats, and a demonstrated ability to perform under pressure. This allows coaches to fill immediate team needs with a known commodity, which is a major advantage for the high school athlete. How This Hurts High School Recruits This new "transfer heaven" comes at a cost to high school athletes who are trying to get noticed. The competition for DII roster spots has never been more intense. Shrinking Freshmen Spots: With coaches prioritizing experienced transfers and the potential for a fifth year for current players, fewer roster spots and scholarships are being allocated to high school recruits. A coach would rather sign a proven 20-year-old from the portal than a raw 18-year-old who may need time to develop. Increased Competition: High school athletes are now competing against a larger and more experienced pool of players. They are not just trying to beat out their high school peers, but also transfers from D-I and other D-II programs. Pressure to Be "Game Ready": The luxury of a redshirt year or a year of development has diminished. Coaches want players who can make an immediate impact. This places immense pressure on high school athletes to be physically and mentally prepared for college-level competition from day one. How High School Athletes Can Navigate This New Landscape In this new era of DII recruiting, a strategic approach is essential. High school athletes must be proactive and have a plan to get noticed. Get Evaluated : The first step in the recruiting process is a proper evaluation. You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and current skill level—along with your size, speed, and academics—in order to target the right schools, at the right level, at the right time. Early and Consistent Proactive Outreach: Waiting for coaches to find you is no longer a viable strategy. You must actively and consistently promote yourself to DII coaches, highlighting your potential, academic achievements, and character. Create a Professional Digital Profile: Your online presence is your resume. Having a well-organized recruiting profile with high-quality highlight videos, academic information, and a clear communication history is crucial for making a strong first impression on a busy coach. Cast a Wide Net: Don't limit yourself to DII schools. The transfer portal and these new recruiting dynamics are affecting every division. Being open to all levels of competition will significantly increase your chances of finding the right athletic and academic fit. The transfer portal has turned Division II into a “transfer heaven,” and the proposed fifth-year rule will only make competition even tougher. That’s why having an NSR scout in your corner is more important than ever. With our guidance, high school athletes can confidently navigate today’s recruiting landscape and find the right college fit—both athletically and academically. If you have questions about this or any other recruiting changes, connect with a scout at nsr-inc.com/how-to-get-recruited. We’ll be glad to evaluate you and get you started the right way.

Is DII Creating a “Transfer Heaven” at the Expense of High School Recruits?

The NCAA transfer portal has fundamentally changed college athletics at every level. It has now become a more active and fluid marketplace than ever before. This creates a challenging environment for high school recruits, and not just at the Division I level, Division II is becoming a “transfer heaven” for experienced college players. This dynamic, coupled with a proposed new DII 5th year of eligibility, is squeezing high school athletes out of the recruiting process and making it harder than ever to secure a spot on a DII roster.

Why DII is a “Transfer Heaven”?

Several factors are contributing to DII’s popularity as a transfer destination. For an athlete in the portal, DII offers a compelling combination of opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere.

  • A Destination for Experienced Players: With so many Division I athletes jumping in the transfer portal, it has become flooded with experienced talent. This has made DII a top landing spot for players seeking playing time and a fresh start. This influx of experienced players creates a highly competitive recruiting market for DII coaches, who have more options than ever.
  • The Proposed 5th Year Rule: The Division II Management Council is considering a new rule that would allow athletes to compete for a fifth season. If passed, this would further increase the number of experienced college players in the system, making DII rosters even more competitive. This adds another layer of pressure on high school recruits.
  • Proven Talent: DII coaches can recruit players who have already competed and have a track record of success at the college level. This significantly reduces the risk of recruiting an unproven high school player. A transfer comes with college-level game film, verified stats, and a demonstrated ability to perform under pressure. This allows coaches to fill immediate team needs with a known commodity, which is a major advantage for the high school athlete.

How This Hurts High School Recruit

This new “transfer heaven” comes at a cost to high school athletes who are trying to get noticed. The competition for DII roster spots has never been more intense.

  • Shrinking Freshmen Spots: With coaches prioritizing experienced transfers and the potential for a fifth year for current players, fewer roster spots and scholarships are being allocated to high school recruits. A coach would rather sign a proven 20-year-old from the portal than a raw 18-year-old who may need time to develop.
  • Increased Competition: High school athletes are now competing against a larger and more experienced pool of players. They are not just trying to beat out their high school peers, but also transfers from D-I and other D-II programs.
  • Pressure to Be “Game Ready”: The luxury of a redshirt year or a year of development has diminished. Coaches want players who can make an immediate impact. This places immense pressure on high school athletes to be physically and mentally prepared for college-level competition from day one.

How High School Athletes Can Navigate This New Landscape

In this new era of DII recruiting, a strategic approach is essential. High school athletes must be proactive and have a plan to get noticed.

  • Get Evaluated : The first step in the recruiting process is a proper evaluation. You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and current skill level—along with your size, speed, and academics—in order to target the right schools, at the right level, at the right time.
  • Early and Consistent Proactive Outreach: Waiting for coaches to find you is no longer a viable strategy. You must actively and consistently promote yourself to DII coaches, highlighting your potential, academic achievements, and character.
  • Create a Professional Digital Profile: Your online presence is your resume. Having a well-organized recruiting profile with high-quality highlight videos, academic information, and a clear communication history is crucial for making a strong first impression on a busy coach.
  • Cast a Wide Net: Don’t limit yourself to DII schools. The transfer portal and these new recruiting dynamics are affecting every division. Being open to all levels of competition will significantly increase your chances of finding the right athletic and academic fit.

The transfer portal has turned Division II into a “transfer heaven,” and the proposed fifth-year rule will only make competition even tougher. That’s why having an NSR scout in your corner is more important than ever. With our guidance, high school athletes can confidently navigate today’s recruiting landscape and find the right college fit—both athletically and academically.

If you have questions about this or any other recruiting changes, connect with a scout at nsr-inc.com/how-to-get-recruited. We’ll be glad to evaluate you and get you started the right way.

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