When the first transfer portal started on October 15, 2018, the college football landscape changed forever. Since the 2019 recruiting cycle, 27% of all FBS recruits have transferred to a new school. More than half of those transfers committed to a new program within their first two seasons.
Why? The reasons vary: coaching changes, school proximity to player’s hometowns, academics, playing time, program scheme, roster outlook and depth, or financial opportunities through NIL/Revenue Share elsewhere. Too often, players chase prestige or fall for the strongest recruiting pitch without considering the long-term factors that make a program the right fit. For today’s high school athletes, navigating this ever-shifting college landscape can feel overwhelming.
Why Sūmer Fit Finder Matters
Sūmer Fit Finder, a key feature within the SūmerPlayer Varsity app, was built to help provide players (and parents) with an objective, data-backed sense of where they may best fit. Instead of narrowing options too quickly, it will open the landscape of programs worth exploring and help players focus on the ones that align with their goals.
What happens when athletes find the right match and stay longer?
- Higher retention rate at initial schools
- Better on-field performance
- A greater sense of belonging within the school community
We obviously know that transfers will always happen, but we hope that Sūmer Fit Finder helps players make more informed choices from the start.
How It Works
- Enter Measurements and Position
A player enters their measurements (which they can get verified using SūmerLens) and their desired position. Sūmer Fit Finder will then initially project what the top two conference levels (Power 4, Group of 5, FCS, Division 2, Division 3) they would be a best fit for. While that narrows the field, that still leaves nearly 200 programs to discover and evaluate.
- Select Personal Preferences for Schools
From there a player can fill out an assessment to get program matches that best fit their on-the-field traits and off-the-field preferences. Included in the assessment are:
- What part of the US they want to be in
- Academic interests and school selectivity
- Offensive and defensive scheme
- Program prestige
These preferences were carefully designed with experts understand the NCAA landscape and know what is behind a great fit for a player in college.
Style of play matters. Knowing whether a defense runs particular schemes directly impact an athlete’s success. Likewise, matching academic goals and preferences to a program’s rigor and offerings ensures the fit is holistic, not just athletic.
The Perfect Combination
For families who want to go deeper, trait evaluations from our team of former NFL scouts can be purchased as an add-on. These evaluations can help a player understand more how their traits match to different schemes and systems and ultimately provides further education of where players can thrive or struggle.
Take Control of the Recruiting Journey
The recruiting process doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. SumerPlayer Varsity helps athletes cut through the noise, identify programs where they truly belong, and make decisions with confidence.
Download the SumerPlayer Varsity app today to try Sūmer Fit Finder.
