Former Cougar Kalin Hall Slams NCAA for Hurting High School Football Recruits
Kalin Hall, a former BYU football standout and father of NFL quarterback Jaren Hall, is speaking out against what he sees as damaging trends in college football recruiting — primarily the impact of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals on high school athletes.
Now taking on a coaching role at Snow College, Hall is mentoring young players trying to break into the college ranks. But he’s not shy about voicing his concern that the current NCAA system heavily favors transfers and NIL-hyped players, leaving traditional high school recruits overlooked.
“It’s heartbreaking to see kids work their whole lives to earn a shot at D1 football, only to be ignored because coaches are chasing proven transfers or big-money NIL deals,” Hall said in a recent interview.
According to Hall, the transfer portal era, while providing opportunities for athletes to find better fits, has inadvertently closed doors for thousands of talented high school players — especially those from less-visible programs. With college teams prioritizing immediate-impact transfers, fewer scholarships are available for prep athletes trying to enter the system.
Hall’s experience as a player, a father of a Division I and NFL athlete, and now as a coach at the junior college level gives him a unique view of how the recruiting landscape is shifting.
Despite the challenges, Hall is using his platform at Snow College to advocate for overlooked athletes, helping them find the right pathways — whether through JUCOs, walk-on opportunities, or overlooked Division I programs like BYU once was.
As the college football world continues evolving, voices like Kalin Hall’s may help keep the focus on the development and fair treatment of young players — not just headline-grabbing transfers.
