Mike Elko on transfer portal: 'We're probably about 13 days away from complete anarchy'

The college football regular season may end on Saturday but it’s just the beginning for head coaches across the country. Focus will soon turn to bowl games, recruiting, and arguably most importantly — the NCAA transfer portal. Duke head coach Mike Elko recently described it as “complete anarchy.”

As Elko wraps up his second season with the Blue Devils, he knows some roster improvement will be needed and the quickest way to do so is through the portal. Elko knows his team could even lose a few players who are looking for greener pastures. You never truly know what’s going to happen in college football these days.

“We’re probably probably about 13 days away from complete anarchy and the Wild West,” Elko said via Brian Murphy of WRAL. “It’s literally open free agency for all of college football… I don’t know that anyone is immune to what is going on in the transfer portal. It just is what it is. And you’ve got to put together a strategy to retain your players, and NIL is a big part of it.”

Duke has been active in the portal since Elko took over the program. Heading into the 2022 season, 10 players transferred in, followed by six last offseason. Plenty of guys have left Durham as well — being natural with a coaching change and the early part of turning over rosters to become competitive.

With just one game remaining this season, Duke currently has a 6-5 record. At best, the Blue Devils are looking at eight wins (with a bowl) — making it back-to-back seasons of reaching the mark. That’s something the program has not done since 2015.

In order to accomplish it for a third straight season, the portal is going to be needed. Elko is just preparing for what should be a crazy few weeks.

Mike Elko might be handling NCAA transfer portal elsewhere

Of course, the biggest free agency of them all in college football is the coaching carousel. With Elko having his name linked to two big jobs, he could be dealing with the portal in different colors in just a few days.

Both Michigan State and Texas A&M are thought to be after Elko after moving on from their respective coaches. The Aggies would be a bit of a reunion while moving to East Lansing would be Elko’s first stint with a Big Ten program throughout his career.

If he winds up taking either job, the rosters are going to need work this offseason. The portal might wind up being one of Elko’s good friends in trying to bring a few players.