The transfer portal has certainly become all the rage in college athletics, with players trading the mountains for the beach or the desert for the piedmont. However, one place where that doesn’t appear to be a problem is Furman University.
“We started January with 92 guys, and a week ago, when we sent them home, we had 92 guys,” Furman head coach Clay Hendrix said. “I think our kids are here for a little different reason. Not to say we’re immune to the craziness that’s going on, but I just think kids truly value what they’re here for.”
It’s quite a remarkable admission by Hendrix, who was recently a guest of SportsTalk to recap spring practice in Greenville. The Paladins concluded their workouts in March, so there was plenty of time after spring ball for players to test the transfer waters. Instead, they stayed home. And Hendrix believes the way he and his staff have constructed their program is a big reason why.
“Our formula for success has been to recruit kids who truly value the education that they get at a place like Furman,” stated Hendrix. They love playing football, and they’ve got great character.”
Hendrix also detailed the value of playing FBS programs like Clemson (last season) and USC this year, along with any concerns he has should FBS schools decide not to play FCS teams in the future.
