The growth of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals in college football is causing a shortage of potential late-round and priority free-agent-level quarterbacks in the class of 2023. Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy expected Bo Nix, projected as a second- or third-round pick, to declare for the draft, but Nix returned to Oregon instead. During Senior Bowl week, Nagy told reporters how much he would have loved to have Nix there. One possible reason for the mid-to-late-round quarterback mass desertion is the transfer portal and NIL deals. College athletes are allowed to take deals with individual companies and sign deals with collectives affiliated with their schools.
Those deals may include donating funds to athletes who return to school, but their exact amounts remain unknown because athletes and coaches refuse to reveal the details. However, college programs are building QB funds, which are essentially treating quarterbacks like free-agent positions and delegating funds whenever that happens. Furthermore, a year after COVID-19 affected the 2020 season, a fifth year of eligibility and NIL money by returning to college helps create more NFL-ready prospects. A college veteran NFL scout commented there is little development in the NFL anymore, and the quarterbacks staying in school have higher chances to develop.
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