The flawed NCAA system has left athletes like Beau Pribula stuck in a high-stakes dilemma: stay loyal for the playoff run or leap into the transfer portal before the clock runs out. This broken timeline is pushing young players into impossible corners, and Beau isn’t alone—others, like Luke Kromenhoek, are facing the same storm. It’s a classic case of ‘sink or swim,’ but the waters are rising fast. The pressure to balance team dreams with personal futures highlights a system in desperate need of change. For these athletes, the grind isn’t just on the field—it’s in the decisions they’re forced to make.

Well, this new postseason expansion format is really not doing wonders for the players. The overlap of the playoffs and the transfer portal rules allows players to easily leave a program if they aren’t getting enough playing time. This often pushes them to transfer to a school where they can see the field more. The same thing happened with Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula, who now decides to part ways with the team after facing the wrath of the flaws in the rules.

On December 16, Beau Pribula hot X saying, “Growing up in Pennsylvania, it has always been a dream of mine to play football for Penn State,” Pribula wrote. “Wearing the blue & white these last 3 years has brought me some of the greatest moments of my life. The current NCAA postseason model creates a challenge for student-athletes. The overlapping CFB playoff & transfer portal timeline has forced me into an impossible decision.” Looks like Penn State will not be having their backup quarterback in their playoff game against SMU.

Yet, diving into the transfer portal at such a crucial juncture could cost Beau Pribula his chance to prove his worth—a big risk. With just a five-day transfer window, starting QB spots and lucrative NIL deals are snapped up fast. Even Ole Miss HC didn’t hold back, calling it a “dumb system,” likening it to the NFL hosting AFC and NFC playoffs while players enter free agency. It’s a flawed setup begging for change. Unfortunately, for Pribula, the timing leaves little choice, and he seems ready to say goodbye, caught in a system that prioritizes chaos over fairness.

This Pennsylvania kid dreamed of playing for Penn State, and for three seasons, he’s lived that dream. Wearing the Blue and White has been an incredible experience, creating some of the best memories of his life. Pribula has not only appeared in all 13 games this year but also made some notable impact in the game. Throwing for 275 passing yards with five touchdowns and completing 26 out of 35 pass attempts would have surely given him an edge. But it turns out Beau’s long wait to start made him desperate for a change.

Beau Pribula’s long wait to make a change

Such big moves are mostly the outcome of small things people miss out on. Since the start of the season, Beau Pribula has been Mr. Reliable for the team when quarterback Drew Aller was down with a knee injury while playing against Wisconsin. That was the only moment Pribula could make an impact on the field, replacing him. Surprisingly, he also completed 11 out of 13 passes for 98 yards with a touchdown, but then that’s the only time we saw Beau taking over the field.

Even when Beau Pribula filled up for Drew Aller and showcased remarkable gameplay, his former high school head coach Gerry Yonchiuk recognized his long wait to be in that position and the efforts he has put in to make a notable impact, as he knew he had this capability to shine out from the rest of the crowd. He even went emotional and said, “I felt like a nervous father because he’s waited so patiently for so long.” But his wait finally met a sad ending with Penn State.

With Drew Allar potentially returning to Penn State next year, despite having NFL Draft buzz, and Beau Pribula already on the roster, the quarterback situation is starting to look a bit crowded. Moreover, there is also news coming up that Penn State has already found a replacement for Beau, and that is four-star freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who will serve as a backup for the team in the playoffs against the Mustangs.