In the free transfer era of college football, roster construction is a brand new ballgame. For coaching staffs, high school recruiting can be a clear comp to the draft, and transfer recruiting is this sport’s version of free agency.
Winning on signing day is the best way to secure long-term success, but it’s not the only piece to the puzzle. Free agency can be used to find some stars, but its top use should be for programs to supplement their rosters yearly.
At Kentucky, Mark Stoops had a clear need in the secondary heading into 2022. The Wildcats had a lot of snaps to replace and not enough young talent on the roster ready to fill the holes.