Navigating the transfer portal and NIL era in college football is simple, according to the advice that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow shared.
Before Burrow helped resurrect the Bengals, the former Ohio State Buckeye became one of the most memorable transfers in history. His decision to transfer to the LSU Tigers ultimately resulted in a Heisman Trophy and national championship.
Burrow appeared in 11 games at Ohio State after the four-star signed with the Buckeyes in the 2015 class. In an attempt to take a starting role, he joined the Tigers in 2018 and started all 13 games that season, posting posted a 10-3 record.
The Plains, Ohio, native chose to return to LSU as a senior and went on to post one of the best seasons in college football history in 2019.
Burrow set multiple NCAA, SEC and LSU records, including single-season touchdown passes (60) and total yards (6,039). He led the Tigers to a perfect 14-0 season that culminated in a national title.
The current transfer portal and NIL rules weren't established when Burrow made his life-altering decision in 2018. But he explained what he would have done in today's landscape when sharing some blunt advice to players.
“If you’re going to be able to make seven figures in college, you got to go take advantage of that,” Burrow said on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday. “If you’re in high school and you’re getting offered that, go wherever they are paying you the most.”
Burrow went on to admit that he would have transferred much earlier if non-graduates at that time could have avoided sitting out a season.
“I probably would have transferred much earlier than I did, but I had to graduate to go and play,” he said. “At the time, the transfer portal wasn’t a thing. I think it became a thing the next year after I transferred, but I still think you had to sit out a year.”
The former No. 1 overall pick took home the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award for a second time on Thursday night after leading the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns in 2024. Burrow underwent wrist surgery in November of 2023 before returning to his Pro Bowl form last season.
