Analyzing 2019 NCAA Transfer Data: What We’ve Seen and What’s in Store

Transfers, perhaps even more so than coaching changes, have been the story of the 2019 NCAA offseason so far. It began before the season even ended, with Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez attempting to join Cal at the height of championship season, only to be deemed ineligible until next season. Things lay relatively low as we saw a few transfers from other top-20 NCAA teams pop up, but then came back in full force when Florida’s SEC champion and multi-time NCAA scorer Maxime Rooney announced he would spend his senior season at Texas.

While there have been more than 10 transfer commitments so far, there are plenty more in store this offseason based entrants into the NCAA transfer database, obtained by SwimSwam. Not all of them will end up going through with the transfer, but we can take a look at some trends based on the 348 entrants so far, through May 10.

Transfers Entrants by Division

  • Division I men: 107 entered into transfer database.
  • Division II men: 50 entered into transfer database, including eight from cut University of Bridgeport program.
  • Division I women: 151 entered into transfer database, including 18 from cut Oregon State University program.
  • Division II women: 40 entered into transfer database.

Transfers Entrants by Gender

  • 157 men
  • 191 women

Transfer Entrants by Month

  • October 2018: 22 – the earliest database entries are from October 15.
  • November 2018: 21
  • December 2018: 26
  • January 2019: 38
  • February 2019: 51
  • March 2019: 91 – both OSU and Bridgeport announced program cuts in March.
  • April 2019: 83
  • May 2019: 16

Transfers Entrants by School

School
Transfer database entrants
Oregon State University (W)
18 (program cut)
Saint Peter’s University
11 (9 men, 2 women – the school tells us there’s been no change to the program)
Drury University
11 (9 men, 2 women)
University of Bridgeport (M)
11 (men’s program cut)
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
10 (tuition waivers cut)
Fresno Pacific University
9 (4 men, 5 women)
University of the Pacific
7 (5 men, 2 women)
Arizona State University
6 (4 men, 2 women)
Cleveland State University 5
University of Wyoming 5
Brigham Young University 4
Indiana University, Bloomington 4
North Carolina State University 4
University of Florida 4
University of Georgia 4
University of Pittsburgh 4
University of Utah 4
Davis & Elkins College 4
Oklahoma Baptist University 4
Oklahoma Christian University 4
William Jewell College 4
Georgia Southern University 4
Canisius College 3
Florida State University 3
Grand Canyon University 3
Manhattan College 3
Miami University (Ohio) 3
Niagara University 3
Old Dominion University 3
Rider University 3
St. Bonaventure University 3
Texas Christian University 3
University of California, Berkeley 3
University of Cincinnati 3
University of Illinois at Chicago 3
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 3
University of South Carolina, Columbia 3
University of South Dakota 3
Notre Dame College (Ohio) 3
Nova Southeastern University 3
Queens University of Charlotte 3
University of Indianapolis 3
University of Tampa 3
Wingate University 3
Tulane University 3
California University of Pennsylvania 3
Carson-Newman University 3
Auburn University 2
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 2
Marist College 2
Missouri State University 2
University of Connecticut 2
University of Evansville 2
University of Iowa 2
University of Louisville 2
University of Missouri, Columbia 2
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 2
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 2
Colorado Mesa University 2
Wayne State University (Michigan) 2
West Virginia Wesleyan College 2
Boise State University 2
Bowling Green State University 2
Bucknell University 2
California State University, Bakersfield 2
California State University, Fresno 2
East Carolina University 2
Florida Gulf Coast University 2
Indiana State University 2
University at Buffalo, the State University of New York 2
University of California, Los Angeles 2
University of Kentucky 2
University of Miami (Florida) 2
University of New Mexico 2
University of San Diego 2
University of Toledo 2
University of Vermont 2
West Virginia University 2
McKendree University 2
American University 1
Binghamton University 1
Drexel University 1
Fordham University 1
Gardner-Webb University 1
Louisiana State University 1
Loyola University Maryland 1
Providence College 1
South Dakota State University 1
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 1
Southern Methodist University 1
The Ohio State University 1
University of Arizona 1
University of Denver 1
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 1
University of Michigan 1
University of North Carolina Wilmington 1
University of Pennsylvania 1
University of the Incarnate Word 1
University of Virginia 1
Virginia Military Institute 1
Western Illinois University 1
Xavier University 1
Yale University 1
Bellarmine University 1
Grand Valley State University 1
Lindenwood University 1
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1
Boston University 1
Butler University 1
California Polytechnic State University 1
Central Connecticut State University 1
Eastern Illinois University 1
Florida Atlantic University 1
George Mason University 1
Illinois State University 1
Iona College 1
Iowa State University 1
Lafayette College 1
New Mexico State University 1
Pennsylvania State University 1
Purdue University 1
Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania) 1
San Jose State University 1
Seton Hall University 1
St. Francis College Brooklyn 1
Stony Brook University 1
University of California, Santa Barbara 1
University of Houston 1
University of Maine, Orono 1
University of Nebraska Omaha 1
University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1
University of New Hampshire 1
University of Northern Colorado 1
University of Northern Iowa 1
University of Notre Dame 1
University of Southern California 1
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 1
University of Texas at Austin 1
Vanderbilt University 1
Youngstown State University 1
Alderson Broaddus University 1
Catawba College 1
Millersville University of Pennsylvania 1
University of Findlay 1
University of Mary 1
University of North Carolina at Pembroke 1
University of Sioux Falls 1

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Todd Kramer
4 years ago

I’m curious how SwimSwam got access to the transfer portal. If it’s from a current NCAA coach, is that not a violation? Posting this information before swimmers transfer(and I know the names aren’t mentioned) does nothing to help the sport of swimming. Did you not consider that posting the numbers of swimmers from each team that have entered the portal may cause teammates to start to question each other about who has and hasn’t entered the transfer portal? I understand posting an article when a swimmer actually announces their transfer, but not all that enter the portal end up transferring to a new school. If this website is really about furthering the sport of swimming, wait until someone actually transfers… Read more »

TacoSwimmer
Reply to  Todd Kramer
4 years ago

I for one am sick of coaches whining about being held accountable. I don’t know you Todd, so can’t pin any of this on you, but your profession as a whole has brought his upon itself.

– Don’t like MAAPP? Then you should’ve done a better job at policing yourselves. How many knew about Rick Curl and did nothing? How many new about SO MANY of those coaches, and did nothing?
– Don’t like the situation created by the transfer portal leaking out? You all created a set of rules that made it as difficult as possible for athletes to transfer, so that’s why the portal had to be created. Deal with it.
– Don’t want people to… Read more »

Todd Kramer
Reply to  TacoSwimmer
4 years ago

1. I am for the MAAPP. I would like more information on the implementation from USA Swimming as well as applicable situations, but it is an important step in the right direction.

2. Did you consider that some swimmers who enter the transfer portal may not want people to know that they are in the transfer portal? Some that enter the portal never end up transferring. As a coach, I’m not concerned that people may know if an athlete from a certain school is in the portal. I’m more concerned about their own privacy.

3. Sometimes the rumor mongers on SwimSwam get it wrong when a coach interviews for a job. Braden has even said in at least… Read more »

Tiger Uncle
Reply to  Todd Kramer
4 years ago

Todd, my man, take a deep breath. Your boy Gangloff got the job, which means you probably will get a paying gig next season. This is a good day for you. Congratulations. I’m sure Mark told everyone he was interviewing – since he’s got integrity like you and is open about it, right?? So what are we yelling about?? Seems like everyone came out golden on this one.

Todd Kramer
Reply to  Tiger Uncle
4 years ago

My issue wasn’t with Mark being named in rumors. It was all above board. It’s more that there were a couple other positions that had coaches linked to them through rumors that proved to be unfounded. Being in this profession for the time I have, I have been part of rumors in the past about leaving for positions I never even applied for, and having to answer questions based off unfounded rumors is not fun.

I’m super happy for Mark and he deserves this opportunity. He’s a great person first, as well as a great coach.

Also, wasnt trying to yell but sometimes my snarkiness comes through and makes me sound more upset than I am. I apologize for that.

Tiger Uncle
Reply to  Todd Kramer
4 years ago

Alternatively, the rumors were all true, and coaches lied to you about their interest. Either way…it garners lots of interest in the process, which the coaches then can use to leverage bigger contracts, which brings more money into swimming, which is good for everyone.

Anyway, can’t wait to see if they hire you! They’d be silly not to!

Fly Girl
Reply to  Todd Kramer
4 years ago

THE WAY swimming works you cannot keep this a secret. You have to let your current school know BEFORE you can contact other coaches at other schools. I would love to see an interview piece on why this is happening. My guess: coaching and/or unwelcoming culture.

Fly mom
4 years ago

I still think four is a lot from a smaller school. It depends on roster size too. Didn’t rule change in D1 about needing permission? If it did D2 should follow it too.

O. Thomas Johnson
4 years ago

I was listening to ESPNU radio this morning on there are currently 868 D 1 basketball players in the NCAA portal. I am not sure whether or not that was men and women combined or just men. I have a feeling it is just men. Early recruiting and commitments in every sport will without a doubt will exacerbate this growing trend.

Admin
Reply to  O. Thomas Johnson
4 years ago

As of October 2017, transfers in swimming were actually dropping, not increasing: https://swimswam.com/ncaa-swimming-transfers-significantly-last-decade/

ATG83
4 years ago

I’m sure you know this already but just in case. Cyndi G retired.

4leagueswammer
Reply to  ATG83
4 years ago

Woah! Source?

ATG83
Reply to  4leagueswammer
4 years ago

email was sent out to former/current team members

Swimmer
4 years ago

Is there any way to compare to the number of transfers in the past couple of years? I don’t know if it’s just my perception but it seems like there have been a lot this year.

Wondering
4 years ago

Arizona State 6
Indiana 4, NC State 4

Hoosiers, Wolfies… ball in your court

NCSFan
4 years ago

Any insight on the four from NCSU?

swimfan
4 years ago

who are the 3 from Cal? I don’t know why anyone would leave either of those programs

Superfan
Reply to  swimfan
4 years ago

The one girl from Cal, Disalle, just announced this past week.

dmswim
Reply to  swimfan
4 years ago

There are plenty of reasons to leave Cal. If you are towards the middle to bottom of the roster talent-wise, you might not get to compete at away meets or be on the scoring squad at PAC-12s. It might make sense to go somewhere you can make more of an impact. Also, maybe Cal is too far away from your family, and you are homesick. Maybe it’s too difficult academically. Maybe your family can no longer afford to pay for it (since most swimmers aren’t on full ride scholarships). There are plenty of reasons to transfer from any school, even one with a top program like Cal.

Foreign Embassy
Reply to  swimfan
4 years ago

It was dilsaver that was announced this week, another guy who was on roster and didn’t swim and that female backstroker who is transferring to an IVY school, I believe.

About Torrey Hart

Torrey Hart

Torrey is from Oakland, CA, and majored in media studies and American studies at Claremont McKenna College, where she swam distance freestyle for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps team. Outside of SwimSwam, she has bylines at Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, SB Nation, and The Student Life newspaper.

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