College football programs are no longer just competing against each other on the field. Now, they’re also battling internally within their own athletic departments, often against their basketball programs. Two coaches feeling the pressure from this shift are Tennessee’s Josh Heupel and Florida’s Billy Napier.
The Transfer Portal and NIL Gamble
Both Heupel and Napier are experiencing major setbacks with the transfer portal and their schools’ NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) funding. The $6.9 million NIL gamble that was expected to help them stay competitive in the College Football Playoff (CFP) race hasn’t quite panned out.
Josh Heupel’s Struggles at Tennessee
Tennessee’s roster took a massive hit in the transfer portal, losing 18 players—essentially an entire starting lineup. Initially, Heupel’s response was slow, securing only a couple of additions, such as wide receiver Amari Jefferson and offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. While these were solid pickups, they didn’t provide the necessary depth. Eventually, the team added more players, but the overall effort seemed unorganized and reactionary.
Despite a strong high school recruiting class, Tennessee hasn’t fully adapted to the realities of modern college football. In today’s game, success isn’t just about recruiting top high school players—it’s also about using the transfer portal strategically.
Learning from Tennessee Basketball
Analysts have pointed out that Heupel could take a page from Tennessee’s basketball coach, Rick Barnes. Over the past two offseasons, Barnes has successfully utilized the transfer portal, bringing in players like Dalton Knecht from Northern Colorado and Chaz Lanier from North Florida. Knecht, in particular, became a standout, getting selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He recently had a breakout performance, scoring 32 points in a game against Denver when LeBron James was sidelined.
Beyond transfers, the core of Tennessee basketball—players like Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack—have delivered crucial moments, such as Zeigler’s game-winning three-pointer against Alabama. These successes highlight how effective the transfer portal can be, and Heupel has been urged to follow a similar approach for the football program.
Currently, Heupel prefers to build his team by focusing on high school recruits and developing them over time. This philosophy is admirable but risky in the SEC, where other teams are aggressively restocking their rosters through the portal. One notable exception for Tennessee is Ohio State transfer cornerback Jermod McCoy, who has posted the highest pass coverage grade in the SEC for players with at least 20 defensive snaps. However, overall, Tennessee’s approach still appears outdated compared to its competition.
Billy Napier’s Problems at Florida
Down in Gainesville, Billy Napier is facing his own challenges. He’s already under scrutiny, with speculation about his job security growing. Adding to his troubles, 17 players left Florida via the transfer portal, signaling a lack of confidence in the program. While Napier did bring in five players during the winter transfer window, it wasn’t enough to counteract the losses.
Analysts believe Florida must improve its transfer portal strategy. Basketball coach Todd Golden has built his team primarily through the portal, successfully adding players like Alijah Martin, Vladislav Goldin, and Joey Slackman. Napier, on the other hand, has struggled to land top-tier transfers, often missing out on key targets. Some analysts have noted that the lack of aggression in securing transfers has slowed Florida’s progress.
NIL Struggles for Both Programs
Tennessee and Florida are also facing difficulties with their NIL strategies. Tennessee was once at the forefront of NIL deals, making headlines with quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s massive $8 million agreement. However, the school’s adjusted NIL value has now dropped to $3.1 million, while Florida’s sits at $3.8 million. The anticipated financial advantage has not translated into dominance on the field, making the NIL investment seem like a risky bet.
The Need for Adaptation
Both Heupel and Napier are facing a critical moment. Their approach to team-building, relying heavily on high school recruits and long-term development, may no longer be viable in the fast-paced SEC. Meanwhile, their basketball programs are thriving by aggressively using the transfer portal. If they don’t adjust their strategies soon—by embracing the portal and refining their NIL tactics—their hopes of making the College Football Playoff will likely remain out of reach.
In today’s SEC, falling behind is not an option. Coaches must be willing to evolve, or they risk being left behind.