That's a romantic view of a bygone era that ignores modern reality. Florida's recruiting class currently ranks 12th nationally, and sustained top-15 talent acquisition is exactly how you rebuild in the SEC. The portal isn't about mercenaries, it's a necessary tool for immediate roster fixes; last year's playoff teams all used it heavily. Building through high school recruits and supplementing through the portal isn't mutually exclusive. The "sleeping giant" line is about galvanizing a fanbase and a roster that underperformed its talent level for years. You don't win at this level by pretending the transfer portal doesn't exist or by ignoring elite high school talent. The game has evolved, and successful programs adapt.