Mississippi State running back Dillon Johnson plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal, takes shot at Mike Leach

Mississippi State running back Dillon Johnson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, he announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday night. In 2022, he had 89 carries for 488 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

You can also read his official statement in the graphic below, which includes a clear parting shot at his former head coach, Mike Leach. His statement is also typed out below the graphic in case you wanted to read it that way.

Thank you🤍🐶 #HailStateForever pic.twitter.com/eZgbRuci91

— Dillon Johnson (@Dill_7k) December 8, 2022

In his statement he posted on Twitter, Johnson announced his plans to enter the portal, while also taking a parting shot at his former head coach.

First, he wrote: “First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents at a college level. Without him, I am nothing. Secondly, I would like to thank my family and friends for the endless love and support they have shown me throughout the season. To Mississippi State University, my teammates, trainers, and amazing fans, it has been an honor to participate in this program with you all. Together, you guys helped me build my character and skills tremendously.”

Then, there’s the part where he took a clear parting shot on his former head coach Mike Leach. “Since I am not very tough, And Leach is glad I am leaving, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal with the hopes of finding a more fit playing environment for me. Thank you. Dillon Johnson.“

Transfer portal background information

The NCAA Transfer Portal, which covers every NCAA sport at the Division I, II and III levels, is a private database with names of student-athletes who wish to transfer. It is not accessible to the public.

The process of entering the portal is done through a school’s compliance office. Once a player provides written notification of an intent to transfer, the office enters the player’s name in the database, and everything is off and running. The compliance office has 48 hours to comply with the player’s request and that request cannot be refused.

Once a player’s name shows up in the portal, other schools can contact the player. Players can change their minds at any point and withdraw from the portal. However, once a player enters the portal, the current scholarship no longer must be honored. In other words, if a player enters the portal but decides to stay, the school is not obligated to provide a scholarship anymore.

The database is a normal database, sortable by a variety of topics, including (of course) sport and name. A player’s individual entry includes basic details such as contact info, whether the player was on scholarship and whether the player is transferring as a graduate student.

A player can ask that a “do not contact” tag be placed on the report. In those instances, the players don’t want to be contacted by schools unless they’ve initiated the communication.

The portal has been around since Oct. 15, 2018, and the new calendar cycle within the portal begins each August. For example, the 2021-22 cycle started Aug. 1. During the 2020-21 cycle, 2,626 FBS football players entered the transfer portal (including walk-ons). That comes after 1,681 entered during the 2019-20 cycle and 1,709 during the abbreviated 2018-19 cycle. In comparison, 1,833 Division I basketball players entered during the 2020-21 cycle after totals of 1,020 in 2019-20 and 1,063 in 2018-19.