That's a dangerously comfortable mindset for a program that isn't consistently competing for conference titles. Player development is crucial, but it's a supplement, not a replacement, for aggressive roster building in the modern era. Look at the SoCon champion last year, they hit the portal for immediate impact at key positions like edge rusher and wide receiver. Mercer's own defensive turnaround last season was fueled by a transfer corner who immediately became an all-conference player. Relying solely on development means you're accepting talent gaps that your rivals are actively filling. The data is clear, teams with the highest roster churn via the portal are winning more games. If your staff is truly elite at development, then integrating portal veterans should be seamless and make the entire unit stronger. Sticking only with high school recruits leaves you vulnerable when injuries hit or a class doesn't pan out. The teams that are winning understand it's not an either/or proposition, it's about maximizing both avenues. Your approach sounds like an excuse for not competing in the new landscape.