Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III highlights how transfer portal & NIL have “rocked the balance” of CFB

Robert Griffin III knows a thing or two about college football excellence. The former college football star won a Heisman Trophy as the starting quarterback for the Baylor Bears in 2011. Griffin went on to have an injury-riddled NFL career before he found a niche in broadcasting.

Following the Ohio State Buckeyes win over the Texas Longhorns, Griffin gave his two cents about the effect of the transfer portal and NIL in college football.

He posted via his X (formerly known as Twitter) account:

Ohio State and Notre Dame got QB1s via the CFB transfer portal

Robert Griffin III is spot on with his assertion, as both teams that made the National Championship Game did so with a QB1 gotten via the NCAA transfer portal.

Riley Leonard was nurtured with the Duke Blue Devils before he transferred to Notre Dame ahead of the 2024 season. Leonard had a solid stint with the Blue Devils and was a clear starter when fit.

However, he decided to join the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for a chance to compete for the national title. He's one win away from achieving his dream and declaring for the NFL Draft as a collegiate football champion.

Will Howard, too, spent his formative days away from his current surroundings. Howard appeared in 34 games for the Kansas State Wildcats, with 28 of those games as the starter. He achieved impressive victories with the Wildcats but decided to join the Buckeyes for a shot at a title. He's now set to feature in the big game as the quarterback for the side favored to win.

It's hard to imagine a seamless transition for Leonard and Howard without the current transfer portal rules. They are now within reach of the biggest prize in collegiate football.

More transfer portal movement is expected in 2025

The biggest move in this year's transfer portal is Carson Beck leaving the Georgia Bulldogs to join the Miami Hurricanes. The former Bulldogs QB1 has decided to forgo the 2025 NFL Draft to spend one season with the ACC powerhouse Miami Hurricanes.

Reports state that Beck will earn $4 million in his sole season with Miami. That's a huge sum that only first-round picks in the NFL Draft can boast of. He'll make that money and get the chance to improve his stock ahead of the 2026 draft.

Furthermore, there are rumors that Quinn Ewers might pull off a "Carson Beck" by ditching this year's draft and signing a lucrative deal to be a collegiate program's QB1.