Way Too Early 2025/26 Transfer Portal Prospects Thread

[Adam Sandler]

Because I was about to do this in a recruits player thread and felt guilty about it. Just responding to a post. Not an encompassing list. And not talking about every position but, feel free to.

Plus our issue is more with run support and I see Tutt as more of a coverage safety.

I’d speculate about starting safeties at lesser schools over focusing on highschoolers.

These are the top tackling non-senior S in the nation at this point in the season that Id think would appreciate a pay raise, change of scenery, or location closer to home.

Note: this first one would be my first choice, pretty sure his younger brother/cousin is a current commit. Maybe they’d want to play together?

Jaylen McClain - Ohio State Buckeyes Safety - ESPN

View the profile of Ohio State Buckeyes Safety Jaylen McClain on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Ty Benefield - Boise State Broncos Defensive Back - ESPN

View the profile of Boise State Broncos Defensive Back Ty Benefield on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Jamel Johnson - TCU Horned Frogs Safety - ESPN

View the profile of TCU Horned Frogs Safety Jamel Johnson on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Jerome Carter - Old Dominion Monarchs Safety - ESPN

View the profile of Old Dominion Monarchs Safety Jerome Carter on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Kamari Wilson - Memphis Tigers Defensive Back - ESPN

View the profile of Memphis Tigers Defensive Back Kamari Wilson on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Zach Williams - Tulsa Golden Hurricane Safety - ESPN

View the profile of Tulsa Golden Hurricane Safety Zach Williams on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Jack Tchienchou Career Stats - NCAAF - ESPN

Complete career NCAAF stats for Tulane Green Wave Safety Jack Tchienchou on ESPN. Includes scoring, rushing, defensive and receiving stats.

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Kal-El Pascal Career Stats - NCAAF - ESPN

Complete career NCAAF stats for Bowling Green Falcons Safety Kal-El Pascal on ESPN. Includes scoring, rushing, defensive and receiving stats.

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Ian Foster - Southern Miss Golden Eagles Safety - ESPN

View the profile of Southern Miss Golden Eagles Safety Ian Foster on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Davaughn Patterson - Wake Forest Demon Deacons Defensive Back - ESPN

View the profile of Wake Forest Demon Deacons Defensive Back Davaughn Patterson on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Jaylen Lewis - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Defensive Back - ESPN

View the profile of Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Defensive Back Jaylen Lewis on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Xavier Smith - UTEP Miners Safety - ESPN

View the profile of UTEP Miners Safety Xavier Smith on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Omar Thornton - Boston College Eagles Defensive Back - ESPN

View the profile of Boston College Eagles Defensive Back Omar Thornton on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Jaheem Joseph - UNLV Rebels Safety - ESPN

View the profile of UNLV Rebels Safety Jaheem Joseph on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Carter Davis - Boston College Eagles Defensive Back - ESPN

View the profile of Boston College Eagles Defensive Back Carter Davis on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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[benholt06]

Appreciate the effort here. Obviously McClain would be the dream but he starts up there and Idk that there’s a good reason for him to leave.

Jaylen Lewis jumped out at me from this list. WKU is already his 3rd school, but he’s a TN boy originally. Haywood Co. From what I’m reading he’s been one of the better DBs in that conference. Obviously the jumping around raises questions but it’s not at all unusual these days.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Appreciate the effort here. Obviously McClain would be the dream but he starts up there and Idk that there’s a good reason for him to leave.

Jaylen Lewis jumped out at me from this list. WKU is already his 3rd school, but he’s a TN boy originally. Haywood Co. From what I’m reading he’s been one of the better DBs in that conference. Obviously the jumping around raises questions but it’s not at all unusual these days.

Yeah he starts there but already has a ship and not playing with his brother. But could banks convince him he can coach em up enough for it not to be a wasted year, as a kid with pro potential? Thats the bigger question to me. I think we could get him here otherwise on a pay-raise and ability to play a year with his bro and still be the starter on a playoff expectation team.

 

[Action_1505]

If Joey Football can’t or decides not to come back the QB at UC Soresby would be the portal QB I’d target. He’s a jr and would fit Heuple’s offense perfectly. If not familiar with him look him up and check out his highlights. Has that swagger and just makes plays.

 

[MarcoVol]

If Joey Football can’t or decides not to come back the QB at UC Soresby would be the portal QB I’d target. He’s a jr and would fit Heuple’s offense perfectly. If not familiar with him look him up and check out his highlights. Has that swagger and just makes plays.

He’ll be too expensive. Not gonna break the bank for a portal QB when you’ve got so much money invested in young QBs (specifically Faizon).

 

[knoxvol52]

Even though Aguilar has done a terrific job, next season it should be the young guns turn to shine. GM will be stronger and ready to go and if Brandon is ready to play as some of you say ... Then the QB room is good to go...

 

[Jackcrevol]

Even though Aguilar has done a terrific job, next season it should be the young guns turn to shine. GM will be stronger and ready to go and if Brandon is ready to play as some of you say ... Then the QB room is good to go...

Qe have significant investments in MM, BS, etc. Additionally the TE room. And will have, TK on campus. You need to get those dudes on same page.

 

[Adam Sandler]

If Joey Football can’t or decides not to come back the QB at UC Soresby would be the portal QB I’d target. He’s a jr and would fit Heuple’s offense perfectly. If not familiar with him look him up and check out his highlights. Has that swagger and just makes plays.

I like demond Williams in Washington too. If we go after a transfer qb, he’d be one of my first calls.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I like demond Williams in Washington too. If we go after a transfer qb, he’d be one of my first calls.

no, we will offer a qb from university of virginia at wise's AG campus

 

[OH-Vol]

Right now I would anticipate the biggest portal needs as

1. DT/DE (Losing Eason, Moi, Bailey)
2. Safety (Losing Turrentine and have recruited poorly the past several cycles)
3. Running Back (Losing Thomas and noth sold on Lewis.. Bishop should be a 2nd Option)
4. Corner (Carter and Gibson have both flirted with the portal in the past)

 

[chaseasl]

I definitely see us going after a safety and probably a corner with all we could lose. We will need at least one DL, maybe two. I’m guessing Merklinger leaves which will make us need a veteran QB, just a career backup with the two young kids. If we don’t take a late bloomer HS RB we will take an portal RB too.

 

[CobbWebb71]

If Kal-El from Bowling Green doesn’t go by the nickname “black Superman” then I don’t want him...

 

[CobbWebb71]

If Kal-El from Bowling Green doesn’t go by the nickname “black Superman” then I don’t want him...

That is bad@$$ and I want this guy on name alone!!

 

[Jackcrevol]

If Kal-El from Bowling Green doesn’t go by the nickname “black Superman” then I don’t want him...

are we recruiting this guy?

 

[CobbWebb71]

are we recruiting this guy?

I don’t know about we, but @Adam Sandler apparently is...

 

[Adam Sandler]

I don’t know about we, but @Adam Sandler apparently is...

Watch out portnoy there’s a new bag man in town

 

[Weezer]

Biggest needs will be on defense. On offense, it all depends on whether Heup feels any of the QBs we have is ready. Maybe need a TE. Should be good at WR, RB, and OL. RB is only a need in the recruiting class. Add a young guy to sit and develop next season to be ready for the season after. We have RBs on the roster for next season already.

 

[RandomUTfan]

If Kal-El from Bowling Green doesn’t go by the nickname “black Superman” then I don’t want him...

There is a Titans RB named Kalel.

He says he last fumbled Junior year of High School. Maybe he is Superman.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Biggest needs will be on defense. On offense, it all depends on whether Heup feels any of the QBs we have is ready. Maybe need a TE. Should be good at WR, RB, and OL. RB is only a need in the recruiting class. Add a young guy to sit and develop next season to be ready for the season after. We have RBs on the roster for next season already.

Tbh probably need a bit of everything beside tackle (assuming Heard is back). Losing most the production from this year's team and didn't really add any multi-year transfers this past offseason to bridge it over. Well beside Hood and he is going to the NFL. He is on track to be a top 50 pick

 

[Weezer]

Tbh probably need a bit of everything beside tackle (assuming Heard is back). Losing most the production from this year's team and didn't really add any multi-year transfers this past offseason to bridge it over. Well beside Hood and he is going to the NFL. He is on track to be a top 50 pick

Matthews and Staley should both be better next season, and with who's on the roster and who's coming in, we should be set at WR. IF Elarbee has done his job right, surely we'll have guys ready to step up on the OL. If not, why is he still employed? At RB, Bishop, Lewis, Morris, and Baker should be able to carry the load. I question TE because I'm not convinced Davis ever lives up to his billing, but truthfully, we should be good there. QB is all about whether or not Merk or GMac can lead the team. Brandon looks good, but I always question starting a true frosh, especially at QB. So I don't see the same lack on offense that you apparently do.

The true needs, IMO, are on defense. DT/SDE will be a need. Playmakers in the secondary will be a need. Not convinced Hood leaves. Maybe he does, but I think he would benefit from another year. JMO. That said, I do think we should take at least one experienced CB in the portal. Definitely need safety help, IMO. Been on that train for a few seasons. I could be wrong, but I think we should be okay at LB. Of course, everything depends on if certain guys decide to enter the portal rather than sticking around.

We have talent on this team. The big ? is if it has been developed. If it hasn't then Heupel needs to take a long look at his staff, but I'm going to lean toward believing these guys will be ready.

 

[CobbWebb71]

Watch out portnoy there’s a new bag man in town

...and he’s bringin momma with him!!

 

[rockytop25]

We aren’t even halfway through this year and we are already looking forward to next year?

We have a dang good team THIS year! Enjoy it

 

[orange parmejohn]

We aren’t even halfway through this year and we are already looking forward to next year?

We have a dang good team THIS year! Enjoy it

Sir this is the recruiting forum.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Not sure how I missed this thread….


And I thought I was bad.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Matthews and Staley should both be better next season, and with who's on the roster and who's coming in, we should be set at WR. IF Elarbee has done his job right, surely we'll have guys ready to step up on the OL. If not, why is he still employed? At RB, Bishop, Lewis, Morris, and Baker should be able to carry the load. I question TE because I'm not convinced Davis ever lives up to his billing, but truthfully, we should be good there. QB is all about whether or not Merk or GMac can lead the team. Brandon looks good, but I always question starting a true frosh, especially at QB. So I don't see the same lack on offense that you apparently do.

The true needs, IMO, are on defense. DT/SDE will be a need. Playmakers in the secondary will be a need. Not convinced Hood leaves. Maybe he does, but I think he would benefit from another year. JMO. That said, I do think we should take at least one experienced CB in the portal. Definitely need safety help, IMO. Been on that train for a few seasons. I could be wrong, but I think we should be okay at LB. Of course, everything depends on if certain guys decide to enter the portal rather than sticking around.

We have talent on this team. The big ? is if it has been developed. If it hasn't then Heupel needs to take a long look at his staff, but I'm going to lean toward believing these guys will be ready.

They don't lack talent. They could just use an experienced body in every room to round it out and make one feel good about the depth. You don't need to go get some expensive WR. But an outside guy that can rotate with Keys and Mike would help a lot. I do think you need a starting TE tho. OL is going to be good, would like to add a reliable body to add competition inside. I think Peyton Lewis has played really well this year but he hasn't been used against P4 teams really, so adding another RB would make sense too. I would like to add QB and TE that the staff trusts to start and then add competition elsewhere. The team is going to lack veteran competition in every room next season.

In terms of Colton Hood, it really wouldn't make sense for him to stay. He's getting mocked in the first round in recent updates...