I set out at the Lone Star Conference Media Day to find out whether the transfer portal has a positive or negative impact. Unsurprisingly, the transfer portal is having a mixed effect on LSC teams. 

Angelo State has lost some talented players to the transfer portal the past two offseasons, but coach Jeff Girsch has seen an area of positive impact.

“It helps with our high school recruiting,” Girsch said. “A lot of the FCS and some Division II schools are recruiting the transfer portal for about half of their players. That leaves a lot of high school kids unrecruited, and it’s helped us identify some great high school players in the state of Texas to recruit.”

West Texas A&M coach Hunter Hughes has seen the negative impacts and uncovered an underlying issue with the transfer portal.

“I don't know how much it's helped. I know it's hurt. We've lost two starters because of it, but I can't be upset with them. They graduated, so they did everything we asked them to do,” Hughes said. “It just comes on so quick I think that it forced us to reach out to a lot of guys in the transfer portal, and I think some of them have used us to get offers from the smaller DI’s since we can’t sign them to an NLI or something similar.”

Midwestern State coach Bill Maskill said his staff set out to find a way to offset the players lost through the transfer portal.

“You know the transfer portal probably doesn't affect division two as much as you think. Texas Tech kids are not looking to go to Midwestern or any of these schools,” Maskill said. “We looked at what the bigger schools were doing, so we started pulling from a level down - kind of like what they're doing to us. We didn't lose anybody (through) the transfer portal. I can't tell you it's helped us because I haven't seen what these guys can do yet.”

Justin Carrigan has seen both sides of the transfer portal at UTPB and believes it’s just part of the ebbs and flows of recruiting.

“I think It's both directions like they come and go, and you never want to see them leave your program. But when it happens, you know you're recruiting some good players, and then you gotta fill voids,” Carrigan said. “It's just different. I feel more for the high school coaches and kids who are getting left out." 

Carrigan then alluded to a thought that was prevalent by many in attendance at media day. When I mentioned those kids could be good recruits for him, he replied, "And then they go."

It surprised me that many people who love DII football mention that this level of football is becoming another level of junior college. The future of DII is something that I will focus on at a later time, but it’s safe to say that realignment still has many people uncertain about the future.

Western Athletic Conference

• Stephen F. Austin announced the addition of Eric Stephens to the coaching staff. The Texas Tech alum spent the last two seasons coaching at Sam Houston High School and will coach running backs for the ‘Jacks.

• ‘Jacks WR Xavier Gipson is a first-team member of the 2022 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team. DL B.J. Thompson and P Max Quick of SFA are members of the second team, while SFA QB Trae Self, PK Chris Campos, Sam Houston DL Markel Perry, and LB Trevor Williams are on the third team.

• SFA coach Colby Carthel joined The Paul Finebaum Show and discussed FCS teams handling NIL issues and other topics.

• Abilene Christian began fall camp on Monday and will hold an open practice on Saturday, Aug. 13.

• 3-Star DB Bruce Mitchell committed to play for SFA. Mitchell also held offers from SMU, Tulsa, Jackson State, and Northern Arizona.

• The Bearkats received a commitment from Frisco Reedy WR AJ Jayroe. He is the sixth commitment for the Bearkats according to Sports of SHSU, joining OL Kolt Dieterich, OL Easton Fulton, DB Kaden Kelly, RB Coco Brown, and LB Forest Gatlin.

• Sam Houston WR Cody Chrest is featured in an interview by Jimmy Williams for NFL Draft Diamonds.

Southland Conference

• UIW WR Taylor Grimes is a first-team member of the 2022 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team, while his teammate LB Kelechi Anyalebechi is a second team member.

• Grimes is the No. 26 most important player in Texas, according to DCTF college insider Mike Craven.

• Texas A&M-Commerce and Sacramento State have reached an agreement on a home-and-home series for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, according to FBSchedules.com.

• The Lions announced the addition of Scott Vestal to the coaching staff. Vestal will serve as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.

Southwestern Athletic Conference

• Prairie View A&M’s home game against Alcorn State has moved to Friday, Nov. 4, and will be televised on ESPNU, according to FBSchedules.com. The kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

• Former Texas Southern standout Michael Badejo interviewed with VoyageDallas.com and discussed his journey in football from a young age to now.

Lone Star Conference

• I spoke with LSC Commissioner Jay Poerner about the future of the LSC and if having a conference that spans from Kingsville, Texas to Canada is sustainable.

“It's a lot of change and uncertainty,” Poerner said. “What usually happens with realignment is it starts at the top, and it trickles its way down, so I think what we try to do is just kind of recognize our strengths, and we are strong. We have 17 full-time member institutions.  

“At the same time, we need to be aware and cognizant of our surroundings. We need to be nimble and always looking for opportunities. That's our goal - always be looking for opportunities.”

• Last year’s LSC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year has transferred to Texas A&M-Kingsville, which was confirmed at Media Day.

American Southwest Conference

• Defending national champion Mary Hardin-Baylor is the preseason No. 1 in the D3Football.com poll after receiving 23 of 25 first-place votes. Hardin-Simmons will begin the season at No. 6.

• The Cru also added TE R.J. Haberer to its 2022 roster, according to TrueToTheCru.com. The transfer from NAIA Bethany recorded 320 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions last season.

• UMHB QB Kyle King is No. 27 in The Lone Star 50, according to DCTF college insider Mike Craven. 

Southern Athletic Association

• Trinity is ranked No. 9 in the D3Football.com preseason poll after finishing 9-1 last season, with the Tigers’ only loss to national champion UMHB in the opening round of the playoffs.

Sooner Athletic Conference

• SAGU Director of Athletics, Dr. Jesse Golding, was named the SAC Athletic Director of the Year for the third time during his impressive ten-year tenure.

Southwestern Junior College Football Conference

• Tyler head coach Tanner Jacobson was interviewed by David Gibson for NBC affiliate KETK and discussed instilling competition in his players and the Apaches QB battle.