EMERGENCY POD: Thomas Castellanos regretting transfer portal decision due to
A Change of Heart
Thomas Castellanos sat in the dimly lit corner of a coffee shop just outside the campus of his new school, his head buried in his hands. It had been three weeks since he announced his decision to transfer, leaving behind the program that had given him his first shot at college football. At the time, the transfer had seemed like the right move—more playing time, a better system fit, and a chance to prove himself on a bigger stage. But now, sitting alone, doubt crept in like an unrelenting tide.
His phone buzzed on the table, a notification from his old teammates’ group chat. Against his better judgment, Thomas opened it. A flood of pictures and messages greeted him—laughing faces from a team dinner, a joking argument over who had the best touchdown celebration, and a heartfelt message from the head coach.
“Proud of all you guys. Once family, always family.”
Thomas’s chest tightened. He hadn’t responded to the group since his announcement, feeling too awkward to engage with the people he’d left behind.
“Regretting the decision yet?” a voice interrupted his thoughts.
He looked up to see one of his new teammates, Marcus, holding a cup of coffee. The question wasn’t meant to be mean-spirited—it was more of a joke—but Thomas couldn’t help but feel exposed.
“Nah, I’m good,” Thomas lied, forcing a smile.
Marcus sat across from him, oblivious to the storm brewing inside. “Well, let me know if you need anything. It’s tough at first, but you’ll get used to it.”
As Marcus left, Thomas stared out the window. He thought about the long conversations he used to have with his old coaches, the chemistry he’d built with his former receivers, and the fans who had cheered for him despite the ups and downs. Most of all, he thought about the trust they’d placed in him, trust he felt he’d thrown away the moment he entered the portal.
Later that evening, Thomas found himself scrolling through photos of his old games. Each snapshot brought a mix of pride and pain—a reminder of what he’d accomplished and what he’d left behind. He wondered if the grass really was greener, or if he’d just convinced himself it was.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was a direct message from his old quarterback coach.
“Hey Thomas, just checking in. Hope you’re doing okay. We all miss you around here.”
For the first time in weeks, Thomas allowed himself to be honest. He typed back, his fingers trembling slightly.
“Thanks, Coach. I miss you guys too. More than I thought I would.”
The response came almost immediately.
“You’ve got a home here if you ever change your mind.”
Thomas exhaled deeply, a weight lifting off his shoulders. He didn’t know what his next step would be, but for the first time since entering the transfer portal, he felt like he
wasn’t alone in figuring it out.