Freshman running back Kewan Lacy is the latest Missouri Tiger to enter the transfer portal, which means he will miss the team’s Music City Bowl matchup against Iowa in Nashville.
The prize of the 2024 recruiting class, five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri, is headed to Nebraska via the portal. Jaylen Brown, also a D-end, waved goodbye to Columbia, Mo., and is headed to Columbia, S.C. to play for the Gamecocks.
Missouri also has players transferring in, but the dizzying pace of departures and arrivals is unsettling.
According to ESPN, more than 1,700 FBS scholarship players have entered their names into the portal. In 2018-19, the portal’s official first year, 1,561 took advantage.
The number will continue to grow because the portal remains open until Dec. 28. There is also a portal window in spring 2025.
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) dollars play a role, and that enticement was not available to lure players six seasons ago.
For more than a century, college football programs took advantage of players. They got a full-ride scholarship, a place to live, great dining facilities and other benefits – but no cash.
Meanwhile, colleges reaped hundreds of millions of dollars. I have no problem with the tide turning in players’ favor, but the current system is out of control.
Don’t take my word, listen to Penn State coach James Franklin.
“[W]e got problems in college football” Franklin said after learning that Nittany Lions backup quarterback Beau Pribula is transferring.
He leaves less than a week before Penn State plays Tennessee in a College Football Playoff first-round game.
“The way the portal is and the timing of it and the way our team is playing, and when you play the position of quarterback, he felt like he was put in a no-win situation,” Franklin explained.
“I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the student-athlete, I don’t think it’s in the best interest of college football.”
The NCAA got lost in its own greed and lost control of the game it ruled with an iron fist for decades. No one cares what it does or says.
College football needs a CEO. Nick Saban is often mentioned for the role.
I nominate Doug Williams, former Grambling star, coach, administrator and first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He is a senior advisor with the Washington Commanders.
The Reid Roundup
Amber Glenn and Starr Andrews should be among the nation’s top figure skaters competing in the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center. Glenn won the 2024 Grand Prix Final, the biggest title for a U.S. women’s singles figure skater since 2010. Andrews became the second Black woman to earn a medal at the U.S. Nationals in 35 years. She also won a silver medal at Skate Canada…St. Louisan Sean “The Sniper” Woodson scored an impressive first-round knockout over Fernando Padilla at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14 and is lobbying for a bout against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Woodson’s UFC record stands at 7-1-1, which includes seven consecutive wins…Devin Williams, who starred at Hazelwood West High School before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers, is headed to the New York Yankees in free agency. Williams signed a one-year, $8.4 million contract to be the Yankees’ closer…Has there been a more deserving Heisman Trophy winner than Colorado’s Travis Hunter? As a wide receiver, Hunter had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a defensive back, he tied for No. 5 nationally in passes defended with 15 and snagged four interceptions. CBS Sports named him an All-American at cornerback (first team), wide receiver (second team) and all-purpose (first team)…Former St. Louis Cardinal Jack Flaherty, who earned a World Series ring with the L.A. Dodgers after pitching for Baltimore and then Detroit, could be headed back to the Orioles in free agency…After missing two games with knee soreness, Jayson Tatum had 28 points and 12 rebounds in the Boston Celtics 112-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Dec. 15…Several NFL mock drafts have Luther Burden III in the bottom half of the first round. The Washington Commanders reportedly want to pair him with quarterback Jayden Daniels and could be willing to trade up to land the former Missouri star.
Those interested in submitting a question in advance of the forum can do so via Citizens for Modern Transit’s social media channels or by emailing the advocacy organization directly at info@cmt-stl.org. Questions will also be taken through the “chat” feature on Zoom during the forum.
“There are a host of changes in store for transit in 2025, and we wanted to start off the year by providing riders, and our stakeholders, with as much information as possible so they know what to expect,” commented Cella.
“This forum provides a platform for the public to ask questions and gain insights on Metro Transit routes, frequencies, fare policies and more.”
CMT also holds quarterly “Talking Transit” events designed to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system.
The gatherings feature guest speakers and panel discussions that address a wide range of topics, including transit-oriented development, safety and security, best practices, service changes and more.
To learn more about these events and how CMT is working to further transit access in the St. Louis region, visit www.cmt-stl.org.