HBCU football programs are still streaming in thanks to the transfer portal, which is open for one more week as of Friday.
Portal’s impact on college football isn’t limited to the current crop of college players, but high school players hoping to be recruited.
According to Morgan State director of football operations Gerald Huggins II, high school coaches need to look for answers in today’s recruiting environment.
HS coaches,
You share some of the blame for the current hiring landscape. Having worked at a DII and FCS HBCU program, when I walk into your building I see how we are treated compared to other institutions.
— Gerald J. Huggins II, MA (@Coach_HugginsII) January 7, 2026
“HS Coaches; You share some of the blame for the current recruiting landscape,” Huggins said Wednesday morning. “Having worked at a DII and FCS HBCU program, when I walk into your building, I see how we are treated compared to other institutions.”
Huggins followed up with another post saying, “Those top guys you hid from us when we decided to go the portal route need a home because the schools you liked better dropped them and now ‘anyone else is hiring HS?
We’re not a priority until you have the only option.”
Huggins’ comments were met with a mix of reaction and approval from both high school and college coaches, which begs the question: Was Huggins right in his assessment?
I can’t say he’s wrong, that’s for sure.
The elimination of HBCU athletic programs is the culmination of a 50-year project known as desegregation, or integration, if you will.
When the big Division I programs (now consolidated into the Group of Power 4/5) started recruiting Black kids in the 70s, Black College sports suffered.
Fast forward to 2026, and it’s a real surprise that an athlete with a three- to five-star rating in any sport would consider an HBCU.
This is a problem with many causes. Some HBCU coaches are so disgusted by the treatment they receive at some high schools that they may cancel them.
There’s also the “street agent” aspect that Texas Southern football coach Cris Dishman mentioned many parents and athletes have “advisors” (quotation marks for a reason) who have little interest in doing what’s right for the kids; they just want to be seen.
This is mostly at the expense of HBCUs because these “agents” think our athletic programs are below average PWI and Group 5/Power 4 level.
Although the problem has many causes, are there solutions? A few, actually.
Relationship building by coaches and recruiters is key. While not an athlete (anything worth talking about) or a coach, my experience as a journalist has shown me that in order to do your job as a reporter, you need to build strong relationships with sources such as coaches, athletes and administrators.
HBCU coaches are high school coaches, administrators, parents, and more. they will have to build relationships with, but only with those who are interested in doing so.
As the old saying goes, “Go where it’s encouraged, not tolerated.”
On the other hand, high school stakeholders should be willing to give HBCUs a chance instead of underestimating their athletic programs, education, and experience.
The ultimate goal should be to find a school that is willing to pay the most for 1) an excellent education, 2) plenty of playing time, and 3) said education.
As the portal turns, college coaches will likely need to rebuild strong relationships at the high school level, and high school coaches will need to keep an open mind about where they can and should go.
This new era of college athletics is here to stay. It would be beneficial for HBCU and high school coaches to work together in this moment and to survive a game that only a select few can play.
