Caitlin Clark let her guard down Thursday as she shared her passionate take on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast “New Heights.”
Clark objected to the frequency with which players use the transfer portal in college, especially in football.
“University recruiting is insane,” Clark said.
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She agreed with Travis that the NCAA should go back to its previous rule that players who transfer from school to school must take a full year off before playing at their new school. But Clark said there should be an exception for players on teams that lose their head coach.
When Travis talked about bringing back the old system, Clark said, “I agree.” “Or if the coach leaves, they're given a free pass. … But now we have students in their seventh year at their fourth school. Things are getting worse and worse.”
Travis Kelsey and Caitlin Clark. (Imagine it)
Players have been moving at an historic rate in recent years since the introduction of the transfer portal in October 2018. Before the transfer portal was introduced, players needed permission from their coach or athletic director, but those requests were often denied.
Transfer portals have become more frequently used since NIL transactions by universities became legal as a recruiting incentive in 2021. From 1906 until the summer of 2021, athletes were prohibited from profiting in any way from their collegiate athletic careers.
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NIL is now the most important factor in choosing a school for many athletes.
“It's crazy. … Adam Schefter is reporting like, 'Yes, they negotiated a new contract for him to stay in college,' and I'm like, 'Oh, where else is he going to go? 'Are you going to do that?'” Clark said. Said.
In 2023, the NCAA sought to tighten restrictions, introducing a new rule that would allow underclassmen to transfer only once without missing a full year. However, additional transfers as an undergraduate required the NCAA to grant the athlete a waiver allowing him to play immediately.
Iowa State players, including front-center guard Caitlin Clark; Forward Hannah Stuelke, front left. Guard Kate Martin (20) celebrates after the Elite Eight vs. Louisville in the NCAA Tournament on March 26, 2023 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kian Kout)
However, the rule caused much controversy, and the NCAA was forced to issue a statement condemning “violent and possibly criminal threats against committee members” surrounding the rule. The NCAA ultimately waived the rule in March 2024 following a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Education, the District of Columbia and 10 states.
Athletes are able to transfer more freely than ever before, and their desire to do so is increasing. Clark never took advantage of this system.
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She spent her entire four-year NCAA women's basketball career at the University of Iowa. She said college sports in Kelces have lost the sense of amateurism that separates them from professional sports.
“It's a little sad. We've lost a little bit of the amateurism of college sports. That's what makes it fun,” Clark said. “It’s basically minor league football right now.”
Travis agreed with Clark.
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark reacts during an interview during the WNBA Draft on April 15, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
“I'm too old. I didn't have a chance to transfer,” Travis said.
Travis spent four years at the University of Cincinnati from 2009 to 2012, but played only three seasons of football after being suspended his sophomore season in 2010 for marijuana use.
Jason, who played his entire college career as a walk-on running back at Cincinnati before switching to the offensive line, criticized players who left before the playoffs.
“I don't think people should quit before the playoffs. I think they should understand that. I think there should be a level of commitment in college players that doesn't exist right now,” he said. . .
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