“Oh isn’t it a recruiting dead period ? But he’s not officially in the transfer portal?” - these are things I’ve actually heard people say in real life to reveal their own ignorance.

The only reason Conover stays is if there is some implicit understanding that it’s his team next year, or as soon as Jaren Hall gets hurt. No way he’s so signing up for another “qb battle” with an entrenched starter if hall plays well this year.