Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has expressed concerns about the current state of college football, particularly regarding the transfer portal. His comments come after Penn State's backup quarterback, Beau Pribula, entered the transfer portal, making him ineligible for the Nittany Lions' playoff run. Shapiro described the college football landscape as the "wild west" and suggested that Congress should intervene to address the issues.
Pribula's decision to transfer was influenced by the timing of the transfer portal, which requires players to enter by December 28. This rule left him with limited options if he waited until after the season. Penn State's head coach, James Franklin, acknowledged the challenges posed by the portal's timing. He stated, "He did not want to leave our program until the end of the season, but the way the portal is, and the timing of it, when you play the position of quarterback and there’s only one spot and those spots are filling up, he felt like he was put in a no-win situation."
Pribula, who contributed significantly to Penn State's success this season, including a key performance in the Big Ten title game, is now seeking a new program where he can be a starter. His departure leaves Penn State with freshman quarterbacks Ethan Grunkemeyer and Jaxon Smolik as potential backups for starter Drew Allar.
The situation has sparked discussions about the need for changes in the transfer portal system. Franklin and others have highlighted the difficulties players face when making decisions that impact their careers and teams. As the debate continues, the call for legislative action may gain traction.