Wrong. Just 1000% wrong.
Akron's defense is one of the best in the MAC. Why? Transfer Portal. Our secondary is entirely P5 and leaps & bounds better than previous years, especially last year. Our LB corps has 2 anchors, one of which came from JUCO.
We're talking about a sport where physical contact is the name of the game. Most 18/19 year old kids are physically under-developed compared to 20-22 year olds. Most P5 programs have a better strength & conditioning program (largely due to funding) than Akron. So players are coming in from the TP more developed physically. Especially on defense, the Transfer Portal will always be a huge key to success.
Offensively, we have some absolute studs. George (PSU), Adams (LSU), Lingard (Florida), Anderson (Arizona/Northwestern), Banks (WVU), Newell (Arizona State), etc. These guys are being overshadowed by pee poor QB play & play calling. That doesn't mean the transfer portal hasn't been successful.
Northeast Ohio has talent. The top talent goes P5. When you're an Akron, you can't fence yourself into a particular area. Northeast Ohio's secondary talent might not be as great as Western PA, Eastern Tennessee, Southern South Dakota. Go get the best talent available regardless of area.
The key for sustained success is winning. I don't give a damn where the kids come from, just f'ing win.