Kolpack: The transfer portal is the MTV of the 2020s, so get over it

The world is just smaller these days and it has nothing to do with a shrinking ice cap. College kids view studying abroad like a trip to Chicago for a few months, the result of the speed of the internet, interstate highways and more accessible airline travel.

For those who grew up in the 1990s and below, it’s time we accept that. Think about it, I remember as a kid when Nixon lowered the maximum speed on interstates to 55 miles per hour in the name of conserving gas because of an oil crisis. A trip to grandma’s house from Fargo to Staples, Minn., seemed like it took half a day. The speed limit on I-29 in South Dakota now is 80 mph.

I'm pretty sure the car I drove in the 1980s couldn't go 80. For those of us of the 80s generation, it was revolutionary when MTV got into the music video business. Cell phones became a thing in the 1990s.

So when Sam Griesel decides to play his fifth year at Nebraska, or when Ryan Cobbins decides to finish her career at Alabama, and this causes fans some angst, three words of advice: Get over it.

The transfer portal is the MTV of the 2020s.

Griesel was moving on anyway, so his departure from the Bison men’s basketball team was expected. What wasn’t expected was playing another year of college instead of giving professional ball a shot.

In the name of experiencing the world, if he wants to see what Big Ten ball is all about at Nebraska, in his hometown no less, by all means, go for it.

Cobbins had a good career, but not great, in her three years with the NDSU women’s team. It may be a surprise that Alabama is the destination but in the name of experiencing the Southeastern Conference Power Five world and see what that’s all about, by all means, go for it.

Footnote: The SEC and the top two Summit League schools are probably closer in talent based on South Dakota State’s win over the Crimson Tide in the WNIT quarterfinals, but that doesn’t preclude Cobbins from traveling the big-time road of the SEC.

“Ryan has been a terrific representative of our basketball team and NDSU,” said head Bison women’s coach Jory Collins. “I'm really proud of the three years she gave us and was looking for a little something different to finish and she found that.”

Collins, at least publicly, has accepted the portal for what it is. The world is smaller for these kids.

That brings us to former Bison football player Jasir Cox, who upon entering the portal in February tweeted out two offers: Tennessee State and Tennessee-Martin. For the longest time, it appeared another FCS school would be his destination, unless somebody gave him some sage advice that tweeting out offers from schools not nearly the caliber of NDSU just doesn’t look good.

Cox got an opportunity from West Virginia and he’ll get to experience the world of Big 12 Conference football. Saturday afternoons in Big 12 stadiums are not Terre Haute, Ind., Macomb, Ill, or Youngstown, Ohio. They are not 95% of FCS atmospheres.

But after reporting and studying three years of transfer portal comings and goings with NDSU football, some sage advice for other players seeking another option: If you’re going to transfer for better exposure at the FBS level, and to improve the draft stock, think again.

Trey Lance was the third overall pick. Christian Watson has worked himself into a possible high second round or late first round pick. Cordell Volson is getting noticed. There are other examples. The NFL knows about NDSU.

Did former Bison linebacker Jabril Cox improve his draft status transferring to LSU? Maybe, maybe not. Jabril did get to experience the SEC, so in the name of life’s experiences, good for him.

If a Bison player down on the depth chart enters the portal looking for more playing time, good for him. He gave the No. 1 FCS program in the country a shot and there should be no regrets.

As we sit here on March 29, the Bison men’s and women’s basketball teams need to restock. Attitude issues and the portal affected the women. You’ll need a program for the first few games of the men’s team next year.

In the 2020s, the transfer portal > school loyalty: #getoverit.

Think I’ll go on YouTube and watch some Prince, Buggles and Men at Work. It’s therapy.