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The Portal - Daily College Recruiting and NIL Podcast

Locked On Podcast Network, Brian Smith
Transfer Portal
NIL
Notre Dame
College Football
Ole Miss
Penn State
Recruiting
Georgia
SEC
NCAA
Miami Hurricanes
Alabama
College Football Playoff
Miami
Florida Gators
College Football Recruiting
Florida
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Ohio State
Auburn Tigers

The Portal is hosted by Brian Smith as he takes you through the biggest college football stories, College football recruiting, transfer portal, and NIL. Tune in for daily insights that will have impact at the local and national level. Brian Smith, a life-long recruiting fanatic, will break down the latest college football recruiting rankings, intel, commitments, evaluations from 7-on-7 and camps, ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes602Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for The Portal

Latest Episodes

Penn State football faces uncertainty after a recruiting hot streak fizzles—can the Nittany Lions bounce back or risk falling behind elite programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee in the wide receiver arms race? Zach Seyko and Brian Smith break ... more

Building a powerhouse college football program goes beyond the field—can elite recruiting and savvy roster management truly transform a team’s destiny? Brian Smith uncovers the strategies top programs use to attract star prospects, navigate the evolv... more

The Brendan Sorsby saga is finally over, and the Portal Podcast dives into the drama throughout the show. Recruiting chaos takes center stage as multiple top high school prospects flip commitments, shaking up the 2025 college football landscape. Dayo... more

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are surging on the recruiting trail, transforming from underdogs into one of college football’s hottest programs. Can Brent Key’s blueprint—anchored by size, physicality, and key NIL investments—help Georgia Tech close... more

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Recent Guests

Matt Sheehan
Michigan State recruiter/analyst on Spartan football
Locked On Spartans / Michigan State
Episode: UPSWING: Jack Carlson Commitment SIGNALS Michigan State’s RECRUITING Revival and Big Ten Hopes
Craig Haubert
ESPN analyst who helped run the Under Armour Camp
ESPN
Episode: CHAOS: Brendan Sorsby's Bets Ignite NCAA INVESTIGATION Possibilities | Post-Spring Portal Rankings
Ryan Herrings
Host of Locked On Badgers, guest on crossover
Locked On Badgers
Episode: EXCLUSIVE: Inside Wisconsin Badgers' BOLD Portal Moves—Luke Fickell's Roster Decisions MUST Work
Darian Mensah
Miami quarterback discussed as top talent and Heisman odds contender
Miami Hurricanes
Episode: SURGING: Miami Hurricanes Roster Ranked Top 5—Darian Mensah and Damon Wilson Will DOMINATE
John Meredith III
Top cornerback prospect mentioned in discussions
High school football recruit
Episode: 5 STARS: John Meredith III, Hayden Stepp, Censere Gaylord, Xavier Hasan & Cornerback Rankings - II
Hayden Stepp
Prominent recruit mentioned in show notes
High school football recruit
Episode: 5 STARS: John Meredith III, Hayden Stepp, Censere Gaylord, Xavier Hasan & Cornerback Rankings - II
Censere Gaylord
IMG cornerback prospect discussed as a balanced, versatile defender
IMG Academy
Episode: 5 STARS: John Meredith III, Hayden Stepp, Censere Gaylord, Xavier Hasan & Cornerback Rankings - II
Xavier Hasan
Guest linked to cornerback rankings discussion
Episode: 5 STARS: John Meredith III, Hayden Stepp, Censere Gaylord, Xavier Hasan & Cornerback Rankings - II
Paul Mountaineer
WVU analyst and crossover co-host
Locked On West Virginia / WVU football follow-up
Episode: MOMENTUM: Cam Cook Leads West Virginia's TALENT INFLUX To Big 12 BREAKTHROUGH Season

Hosts

Brian Smith
Host of The Portal, recruiting expert with a focus on college football recruiting, NIL, and portal dynamics.
Tyler Wojciak
Co-host with deep knowledge of recruiting and cross-show dynamics, often contributing cross-network insights.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 70 ratings
  • Best college football coverage anywhere

    Balanced, thorough, and unbiased coverage. I’ve listened to Barrett for decades. He’s continuing to get better and knows ball

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pscrilla
    United States2 years ago
  • Bottom of the Barrel Show

    Brought to you by a bottom of the barrel person.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mqzpwsd
    United States2 years ago
  • So glad it’s back!

    So glad Barrett is back, and it’s even more fun now that CFB season is rolling along. It’s a must listen. Came here just review bc of his Mea Culpas. Much respect for owning your wrongs for predictions. Most journalists cower.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wi-fyemebro
    United States2 years ago
  • Best College Football Podcast!

    Barrett is the most knowledgeable college football analyst out there. The podcast is always informative and entertaining!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Edgatorbait
    United States2 years ago
  • Go Gators 🐊

    Barrett has been my source for college football for years. Some of the behind the scenes or extra curricular activities. I gained insight on Lane Kiffin and why he was fired from Tennessee or why Will Grier really couldn’t pass a PED test. It’s great knowing the behind the scenes off the field nonsense. Barrett is very well connected with the college football world. His insight is great and is enjoyable listen. Most of all he is accountable to his record each every year. Integrity matters to me.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FooledOnce2021
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback notes high-energy debates and educational breakdowns that help sponsors understand the audience.
Guests and guests' insights are frequently highlighted as valuable and engaging for staying ahead in recruiting trends.
Fans appreciate candid takes on NIL and portal impacts on class building.
Listeners praise the show for thorough, data-backed recruiting analysis and insider knowledge.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#212
Australia/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#194
Finland/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

UPSWING: Jack Carlson Commitment SIGNALS Michigan State’s RECRUITING Revival and Big Ten Hopes
Q: The first year that you think Michigan State will have quote unquote, upper echelon quarterback play in East Lansing is what year?
Best case scenario is Alessio Milovojevic or another quarterback in the 2027–2028 window gradually developing into upper echelon play, with the expectation that by 2028 or 2029 the system and depth around him strengthen enough to reach that level.
FIREPOWER: Ole Miss Commits REVEAL New Era—With A Recent SURPRISE Commitment Included
Q: What was Stephen's first reaction to the Brendan Sorsby scenario?
Stephen and the hosts reacted with surprise and skepticism about the timing and handling of the deal, highlighting concerns about transparency and the potential fallout for both schools involved.
TIDE CLASH: Alabama's Keelon Russell and Austin Mack FIGHT for QB1—Bama's Roster IMPROVES
Q: Where do you think the Alabama quarterback situation is as we sit right here, just after spring?
The hosts lean toward Keelan Russell taking the job, citing intangibles and an offseason lead, while Austin Mack is a strong contender and would not be a shock starter if circumstances dictate.
BATTLE: Florida's QB Competition Creates QUESTIONS | Gators Land ELITE Recruit
Q: Which quarterback is better for the long term, Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr and why?
Tramell Jones is favored long-term due to eligibility and potential continuity through the next couple of seasons, even if Philo has the early mental leg up and familiarity with the offense.
MOMENTUM: Cam Cook Leads West Virginia's TALENT INFLUX To Big 12 BREAKTHROUGH Season
Q: What is the feedback so far, Mr. Paul, regarding Cam Cook through spring ball?
Cam Cook is described as the leader of the room with a quiet, workmanlike presence, coming from Jacksonville State with a scheme fit that aligns with WVU's system; he's expected to be a primary contributor, potentially handling multiple roles.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Portal

What is The Portal about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A daily deep-dive into college football recruiting, the transfer portal, and NIL dynamics. Expect data-driven takes, target breakdowns, and straight-ahead analysis of top targets, commitment timelines, and regional recruiting footprints. Across episodes, the show blends scouting intuition with practical insights for program strategy, money in recruiting, and how coaching staff moves shape class rankings. Notable strengths include a clear focus on trenches, NIL funding context, and a willingness to critique coaching strategies with bold, informed takes that appeal to listeners who want actionable implications for programs, PR, or sponsorships.

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How many listeners does The Portal get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Portal have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Portal has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of The Portal are there?

The Portal launched 3 years ago and published 602 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Portal?

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What guests have appeared on The Portal?

Recent guests on The Portal include:

1. Matt Sheehan
2. Craig Haubert
3. Ryan Herrings
4. Darian Mensah
5. John Meredith III
6. Hayden Stepp
7. Censere Gaylord
8. Xavier Hasan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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