BYU Is One School Who Should Take Advantage Of Graduate Portal
Apr 23, 2019, 11:30 AM | Updated: 11:32 am
COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Ty'Son Williams #27 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball against Silas Kelly #29 of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former NFL quarterback Scott Mitchell has a part-solution to BYU’s struggle when it comes to recruiting top talent. It is the graduate portal and the benefits were put on display when they picked up Ty’Son Williams.
The Cougars just picked up a running back, Williams, out of the graduate portal. He hails from the University of South Carolina.
“It’s a spot that was thin for the Cougars and position that has kind of been an Achilles heel,” said Mitchell.
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Ty’Son Williams
Williams is a 6 foot, 220 pound, four-star running back who spent his college career in the SEC. While former BYU defensive end and Rivals host Jason Buck said he hasn’t seen him play, those are impressive size stats.
“He’s had good stats in the SEC, arguably the best conference, so he’s playing against talented players,” assessed Mitchell.
In the 2017 season, Williams rushed for 349 yards and played in 9 games.
“This is going to save BYU, their outlook to win one or two more games just went up tremendously with these running backs they just brought in,” said Buck.
I want to thank all the coaches and programs who reached out to give me an opportunity to continue my education for my last year. With that being said I will continue my last year of eligibility at Brigham Young University. #LLDon @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/2HfrTQOUf9
— Ty'Son Williams (@tyyda72) April 14, 2019
BYU Should Take Advantage
Mitchell said the graduate transfer portal is the perfect place for BYU to get some impactful players and improve their program. Here’s why.
“Anybody can live with the honor code for a semester,” reasoned Mitchell.
Buck suggests BYU make 10-20% of their roster from the graduate portal because there is a lot of talent and the staff won’t face the same recruiting roadblocks they typically find.
“They can survive a semester, anyone can stick to the honor code for ONE semester,” Buck agreed.
Benefits of Graduate Portal
Mitchell and Buck agree that the graduate portal is a great route for players and teams. First, it incentives the players to finish their degree, which both Mitchell and Buck agree is important and often overlooked in college athletics.
Another benefit for players is that they can simply get another opportunity if they are for some reason unhappy or not fitting in. Buck pointed out that sometimes a player just doesn’t fit in with a system of play and that can make it really hard to find success and in turn get playing time.
“A guy can just be lost in the program… either he’s not on the same page as the coaches or the system and all of a sudden they look like a superstar (on another team),” said Buck.
When it comes to team benefits, the graduate portal is rich. Teams looking to fill holes, like the Cougars can find some difference makers, and teams that are struck by sudden injuries can quickly fill those spots.
Buck and Mitchell’s advice to NCAA Football teams: Don’t sleep on the graduate portal.
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