Venturing into the transfer portal in college football is more art than science. While there are analytical approaches to scouting, the process remains a nuanced gamble for schools, especially given the vast pool of thousands of players each cycle. The spotlight often gravitates towards top transfers like Keon Coleman and Sam Hartman, but hidden gems emerge from less glamorous backgrounds. These unsung heroes, players who initially slipped under the radar upon entering the portal, often evolve into impact starters or all-conference-level players at their new homes. The quest for these less-obvious contributors raises questions: How do teams identify players from FCS backgrounds who can thrive in the Big Ten? Can a former star recruit, plagued by injuries, rediscover success at a new destination? To uncover the strategies behind finding these under-the-radar stars, 247Sports spoke with coaches and personnel experts. Notably, the majority of players discussed had transfer ratings belo...
