...that he should be able to move to another program where he might get more time on the field? I think this benefits the "losing" school, since it frees up a scholarship they might use to address an area of need.

Take PSU loading up on highly recruited RBs. You know there will be a bunch of those guys who leave for a program where they might see the field.

VT whiffed on D-linemen for a couple of years, leaving a huge hole in the program. The talented younger guys weren't ready to go, and the extremely thin "2-deep" couldn't take any injuries...but we had injuries. We plugged the (experience) gap with D-linemen through the portal, which should hold us over while the younger guys develop.

I think the portal is a good thing for everyone involved. Now it will suck if the Clemsons and Bamas start actively recruiting current players with the intent to cherry pick the best talent from other schools, but until then, it should be considered a net positive.