As soon as they did away with the transfer rule how you build a team was going to fundamentally change.
If I am a coach at an P5/A10/AAC etc why on earth would I recruit a kid for years who hasn't proven themselves on a college level when I can spend a few weeks browsing the transfer portal? Unless they're a cant miss prospect or early contributor why even bother recruiting them when in all likelihood they'll transfer out if they exceed/not meet expectations? Development is dead, let Radford take the risk on high school kids.
I also think the NIL/Transfer thing while it has hurt us from a graduate angle (Fore, Burton, likely Dji) I think it helps us getting kids in easier with undergrad transfers over HS seniors. Bigs, Roche, and Quinn all came from great academic schools and had proven themselves on the court, something that has always been a dicey dance with us recruiting high schoolers (See AD Vassallo). I think its much easier for us to get guys on the team that the nerds in academics would typically scoff at.
Just our last two PGs that were supposed to be the next one in a line of great UR PGs, played and excelled at local high school programs, and wont come close to what Jordan King gave us in our one year. Tyne, came right in a played better than both as a freshman and we just kind of picked him up last second. TBH ill be shocked if he graduates from here, I hope he does, but if he does well next year whose to say another school wont come scoop him up. It sucks, but as long as we are bringing in more talent than were losing its hard to argue with the results. I say this as someone who preferred players stay 4 years.
I find the portal far more easier to evaluate players as a fan an I imagine coaches who actually know what they're watching will too.