The Transfer Portal: Real Talk from MamaHen

Hey y'all, it's MamaHen here. I'm a wife, a mother, and a G'ma to some of the most blessed sports people out there, and I want to talk to you real quick about something that's changing the game for college athletes everywhere—the transfer portal.

Now, I've been in this space long enough to see what works and what doesn't, and I'm gonna be straight with you: the transfer portal is a small window of opportunity. And I mean small.

Here's the Reality Check

Right now, you're not competing with 100 athletes. You're not even competing with 1,000. You're competing with over 3,000 other D1 athletes who are also looking at that same window, trying to make their move. That's the number you need to sit with for a minute.

When I'm working with athletes and their families, this is the first thing we talk about. The transfer portal isn't your golden ticket—it's a chance. And chances only turn into wins when you know how to position yourself.

So What's Your Package Looking Like?

This is the question I ask every single person who comes to me. And I don't mean just your stats on the field, though that matters. I'm talking about your complete package:

• Your Performance: Yeah, your numbers, your highlights, your tape. That's the foundation.

• Your Academics: Are you eligible? Can you actually play? Coaches care about this more than you think.

• Your Character: Who are you as a person? How do you handle adversity? Do you fit the team culture?

• Your Growth Potential: What can you become? Not just what you are right now.

• How You Present Yourself: Can you talk to a coach? Can you represent the program? First impressions matter.

You need all of these things working together. That's your package.

Why This Matters So Much

Listen, I've seen too many talented athletes get overlooked because they weren't thinking strategically about their presentation. In a pool of 3,000+ athletes, being talented isn't enough anymore. You have to be prepared.

Coaches are evaluating thousands of candidates. They want someone who can come in and make an immediate impact and it into what they're building long-term. They want someone who's thinking like a professional, acting like a leader, and ready to work.

What I Tell My Athletes

When my athletes are looking at the transfer portal, I tell them the same thing I'm telling you: do your homework. Know who you are. Know what you bring to the table that nobody else does. And then, communicate that clearly to the programs you're interested in.

Don't just send in your tape and hope something happens. Be intentional. Be strategic. Be the complete package that coaches can't ignore.

The Bottom Line

The transfer portal is real, and it's changing college athletics. But it's not a shortcut, and it's not a second chance to be lazy. It's an opportunity for athletes who understand the competition, who know their value, and who are willing to put in the work to present themselves properly.

If you're thinking about the transfer portal, ask yourself right now: What does my package look like? Can I articulate my value? Am I ready for this opportunity?

If the answer is yes to all of those, then you might just be ready to make your move.

Stay blessed, and remember—preparation meets opportunity. 💕