Lane Kiffin, head coach of Ole Miss, slammed the NCAA’s transfer portal system as “a really dumb system” after Duke’s starting quarterback, Maalik Murphy, and backup Grayson Loftis both entered the portal ahead of their upcoming Gator Bowl matchup. Murphy, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record this season, threw for 2,933 yards and set a school record with 26 touchdowns. Loftis, a key backup, also announced his departure just days later, leaving Duke with a depleted quarterback roster as they prepare for the game against Ole Miss.
Kiffin’s frustration lies in the timing of the portal, which opens during the season and disrupts teams’ ability to focus on upcoming games. He compared it to a free agency period occurring just before playoffs in professional sports, which he argued would never happen in other leagues. Despite his criticism of the system, Kiffin’s own program has effectively utilized the portal to strengthen its roster, adding key players in recent years.
The situation highlights the growing concerns about the portal’s impact on college football, especially during crucial times like bowl season. Kiffin’s remarks reflect broader frustrations among coaches about the chaos caused by the transfer portal’s current structure.
