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Welcome to the era of the college football transfer portal. In case you’re behind, the transfer portal is a noncommittal purgatory of sorts, into which a player can privately enter to hear from other schools. He can then decide to either depart his current institution for one of those schools, or return. Florida State players have made themselves quite familiar with the process during this offseason, with another trio testing the waters today, per reports.
First there was defensive end Xavier Peters, who entered the portal but decided to stay. Then there was running back Amir Rasul, who is apparently still listening to other programs. And today, a new trio of players have reportedly either entered the portal or are considering doing so, led by quarterback James Blackman, per Brendan Sonnone of Noles 247.
Blackman’s name may not show up in the portal for another day or so, but the process of putting his name in the portal has started. Gives Blackman a chance to explore options at other programs, but he’ll also have option to take his name out of the portal and remain with FSU.
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) January 16, 2019
Also flirting with the portal (god I hate that I just typed that): receiver George Campbell and tight end Naseir Upshur.
Florida State WR George Campbell, a former five-star recruit & TE Naseir Upshur, a former four-star recruit have entered the transfer portal.
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 16, 2019
This is essentially college football’s version of unpaid free agency; don’t be surprised if dancing in and out of the transfer portal becomes more and more standard for players moving forward.