Way Too Early 2025/26 Transfer Portal Prospects Thread

[RandomUTfan]

They will take a back and a TE at minimum on top of what they have either in the class or in the portal. I'm sure there are other positions they will address but I think those are the two biggest areas we have to add another guy at.

 

[thistime]

See what we need and get what we can afford..........just like everybody else.........in this day and time.

 

[Adam Sandler]

...and he’s bringin momma with him!!

I love mama. And now you know that.

 

[Adam Sandler]

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

Never stop cruitin. It’s a year round sport brotha.

Also, enjoying the current football season and paying attention to recruit/transfer portal landscape are not mutually exclusive activities.

And It’s 2025 and people are here reading and talking about 2026 commits so not sure really how that’s any different or why you assume anyone in this thread is unhappy about the team.

 

[Weezer]

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...

Last draft showed us where you're mocked isn't always where you're drafted. JMO, but I think Colton Hood could benefit from another year. But he probably does lean toward leaving. Still believe defense should be our portal priority.

 

[Weezer]

I love mama. And now you know that.

Mama says you still pee the bed.

 

[CobbWebb71]

Mama says you still pee the bed.

Who left the door open?

 

[Adam Sandler]

Mama says you still pee the bed.

 

[Weezer]

Mama ain't wrong, pee-pee pants.

 

[jvols1999]

I think we’re good at WR and OL and LB.

QB need is dependent on if they can either find someone who is good enough to start ala Joey AND they can convince GMac and Brandon to sit tight or (much more likely, IMO) getting a Gas Pipe level QB3 who wants to be a future coach but could play in a pinch.

IMO Safety is the #1 priority. If there’s a Caleb Downs out there you’ve got to allocate the necessary resources to go get him. If not then I think you get two and hope you have at least upgraded from what you have on the roster. Theoretically you’ve got Beasley and Walton and Farooq returning so that’s the bar to clear…

From there I think two IDL are needed. Theoretically you’ve got the following returning:
Hobbs
Robinson
Campbell
Wallace
Utley
House
Schell
Signees Rivers and Albert if you can get them over the line

Schell cannot be counted on and freshmen are hard to count on either. Will be hard to sell let alone allocate big dollars to a plug and play starter but with the one portal window there should be 1-2 experienced guys with size who are willing to come in a be part of a rotation on a CFP contender.

If we don’t sign a HS RB (my dream is DGG reclassifies) then I think you probably need a guy with a Star Thomas profile.

Might need a portal TE if we don’t sign a high school guy but I don’t think you should allocate major resources for someone who’s at best going to be TE3. Sure would like to see Harrison get some run in the remaining garbage time this season.

At CB you’ve theoretically got Gibson and Redmond returning as starters (great duo) with Poteat/Merritt/Lewis/Goree behind them. That’s not enough, but that’s also assuming Boo won’t be back. Either way I think you want to go get 1-2 guys with McMurray/Hood profiles of dudes with experience and talent who are willing to come be in a battle for CB3 or even Star1 (but not a starting CB unless there’s an injury) on a CFP contender.

Given our resources and brand, along with the real possibility we’re not only coming off back to back CFP seasons but also a really strong reputation for having portal guys come in and have immediate success (that translates to the NFL Draft) PLUS what should be viewed as a 2026 contender yet again, that all should be very doable.

What will be the challenge (for all staffs, but maybe more for those in the CFP) is the new one and done portal window. Homework and groundwork will need to have been done and laid well in advance. Have to hope as fans our program is ready.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

I see us needing help at Center. We need a Safety. Then another Safety. At least 1 Corner. Travis Smith could be the Brazzell replacement. We need Qb of course. A top level back would never hurt. Defensive tackle is lacking an impact player. Linebacker & defensive end are solid and not necessarily needed unless you get a great one.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Never stop cruitin. It’s a year round sport brotha.

Also, enjoying the current football season and paying attention to recruit/transfer portal landscape are not mutually exclusive activities.

And It’s 2025 and people are here reading and talking about 2026 commits so not sure really how that’s any different or why you assume anyone in this thread is unhappy about the team.

Also, this is the recruiting board. Being on the recruiting board and complaining about looking ahead at possible future recruits (which portal targets are) is painfully lacking in self-awareness.

So there’s that.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I see us needing help at Center. We need a Safety. Then another Safety. At least 1 Corner. Travis Smith could be the Brazzell replacement. We need Qb of course. A top level back would never hurt. Defensive tackle is lacking an impact player. Linebacker & defensive end are solid and not necessarily needed unless you get a great one.

Pendleton has 2 years left and Satterwhite has 3. Then there’s Nic Moore, who’s redshirting. We’re good at Center.

I’m with you on the Safeties. Need at least one, maybe 2. Whether it’s 1 or 2 depends on the development of Beasley and Walton. If the staff likes where those guys project next season, along with Farooq, we may just get 1.

Need a Star. I don’t see Boo returning. They like Dylan Lewis, but he’d be more of a depth guy. Remember, Jordan Thomas will be back, but is he the same athlete he was before? If so, he’s probably the starting Star. Could also be in the mix at Safety.

Guessing we stand pat at outside CB and pay Gibson/Redmond. Then you rely on Merritt and Poteat for depth as Sophomores. The staff likes those guys and they should be improved next year. With the 3 freshmen coming in, we have plenty of outside CBs.

I’d get at least one true DT and one SDE, although with Weathersby and Dye returning, I like the top 2 at SDE. But we like having 3 to rotate there. With Hobbs, Campbell, Utley, Robinson, and Wallace, we have 5 guys to rotate at DT who have experience. House is a solid prospect. But I’d still get another guy to throw in the rotation to take that group from solid to upper tier.

It would be nice to get a QB willing to be a depth piece. Florida got that with Harrison Bailey this year, so it can be done, but you have to find him. Unless by some surprise, Merk stays. I doubt he does.

Lastly, do we get a RB from the portal or roll with what we have? I could see either being the case.

Remaining needs will depend on who transfers out.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Also, this is the recruiting board. Being on the recruiting board and complaining about looking ahead at possible future recruits (which portal targets are) is painfully lacking in self-awareness.

So there’s that.

Haha EXACTLY! We specialize in focusing on the future needs of the team, regardless of how the current team is doing or what time of year it is! @rockytop25

If it not jive with ya, back to the FF with ye! This here forums for cruitin!

 

[rockytop25]

Haha EXACTLY! We specialize in focusing on the future needs of the team, regardless of how the current team is doing or what time of year it is! @rockytop25

If it not jive with ya, back to the FF with ye! This here forums for cruitin!

No need to be upset

Just trying to celebrate the team we have now. Think the portal era (I'm guilty of it too) always has us thinking forward instead of just enjoying the 12 guaranteed games we get with this '25 group.

Now, as penance, I'm diving headfirst into the film on this 2027 kicker prospect. What's his verified hang time?

 

[McDad]

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)

There is a dude from LSU, a DT who made his portal intentions known earlier this season.
sydir mitchell. 6'6" 360 lbs sophomore.

 

[Adam Sandler]

No need to be upset

Just trying to celebrate the team we have now. Think the portal era (I'm guilty of it too) always has us thinking forward instead of just enjoying the 12 guaranteed games we get with this '25 group.

Now, as penance, I'm diving headfirst into the film on this 2027 kicker prospect. What's his verified hang time?

I don’t blame you for not wanting to go to the FF for appreciating the current team. I suggest the recruiting forum football talk thread for that.

We will be expecting a full report on the kicker/punter/longsnapper 27 prospects by O600 on the 13th of November. Especially if max misses another game winner. Don’t let us down rockytop25. The future of our beloved program hangs in the balance and hinges upon this report.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Pendleton has 2 years left and Satterwhite has 3. Then there’s Nic Moore, who’s redshirting. We’re good at Center.

I’m with you on the Safeties. Need at least one, maybe 2. Whether it’s 1 or 2 depends on the development of Beasley and Walton. If the staff likes where those guys project next season, along with Farooq, we may just get 1.

Need a Star. I don’t see Boo returning. They like Dylan Lewis, but he’d be more of a depth guy. Remember, Jordan Thomas will be back, but is he the same athlete he was before? If so, he’s probably the starting Star. Could also be in the mix at Safety.

Guessing we stand pat at outside CB and pay Gibson/Redmond. Then you rely on Merritt and Poteat for depth as Sophomores. The staff likes those guys and they should be improved next year. With the 3 freshmen coming in, we have plenty of outside CBs.

I’d get at least one true DT and one SDE, although with Weathersby and Dye returning, I like the top 2 at SDE. But we like having 3 to rotate there. With Hobbs, Campbell, Utley, Robinson, and Wallace, we have 5 guys to rotate at DT who have experience. House is a solid prospect. But I’d still get another guy to throw in the rotation to take that group from solid to upper tier.

It would be nice to get a QB willing to be a depth piece. Florida got that with Harrison Bailey this year, so it can be done, but you have to find him. Unless by some surprise, Merk stays. I doubt he does.

Lastly, do we get a RB from the portal or roll with what we have? I could see either being the case.

Remaining needs will depend on who transfers out.

That was detailed. I basically agree, except @ center. Do you believe Pendleton will be better? He's gotten whipped man on man and the defensive linemen on him made the tackle in the run game. Particularly against UGA & MissSt. Or, is Satterwhite the type of powerful young guy who just needs to "soak" as Coach Doug Matthews would say.....?

 

[NighthawkVol]

That was detailed. I basically agree, except @ center. Do you believe Pendleton will be better? He's gotten whipped man on man and the defensive linemen on him made the tackle in the run game. Particularly against UGA & MissSt. Or, is Satterwhite the type of powerful young guy who just needs to "soak" as Coach Doug Matthews would say.....?

I think both will get better. WS is just a RSFr. Pendleton is in his first year in the system and first as a Center.

One position I didn’t mention was OG/OT. I kind of doubt we go get a OT in the portal because they tend to be very expensive and we have some young talent at that position. But I expect Heard and Moe to both declare for the draft. That means Sanders and Perry are the two starting OTs next year, with Warren and J. Heard providing depth. But they’ll likely need another Guard in that scenario. Sham is one starter. Is Ginther or Anderson or Satterwhite or Ogumoro ready to start or are they just depth pieces? Depending on how many of those guys develop, that’ll determine if they go get a Guard in the portal.

 

[jvols1999]

I think both will get better. WS is just a RSFr. Pendleton is in his first year in the system and first as a Center.

One position I didn’t mention was OG/OT. I kind of doubt we go get a OT in the portal because they tend to be very expensive and we have some young talent at that position. But I expect Heard and Moe to both declare for the draft. That means Sanders and Perry are the two starting OTs next year, with Warren and J. Heard providing depth. But they’ll likely need another Guard in that scenario. Sham is one starter. Is Ginther or Anderson or Satterwhite or Ogumoro ready to start or are they just depth pieces? Depending on how many of those guys develop, that’ll determine if they go get a Guard in the portal.

Kind of wonder if Perry excels at OG the rest of the season do they plan on him sticking there and going with Warren at RT. If so we still might need a plug and play OG from the portal unless they think Sham can get better. If not I could see Warren hitting the portal himself because he’ll have no path to starting here.

 

[LittleVol]

Safety is definitely a problem. The average guys we have are playing too many snaps at they start to look bad. Didn’t see Beasley at all yesterday.
Farooq looked bad except for the fumble. Boo gave up how many 3rd downs yesterday at STAR?? McMurray I think is gone next season.
I’m not very high on Gibson as others are. Redmond has more career INTs than him.

The whole secondary will need a hard RESET for 2026. Bring in 4 -5 transfer DBs. Comb through the FCS all-Americans and attack other P4 rosters.
Let all the HS kids compete with whats already there. The GA kid that plays Rouse will be a factor as a true freshman.

Turrentine
Carter
McCoy
McMurray
Hood
Gibson will not be on the 2026 roster.

 

[MarcoVol]

Safety is definitely a problem. The average guys we have are playing too many snaps at they start to look bad. Didn’t see Beasley at all yesterday.
Farooq looked bad except for the fumble. Boo gave up how many 3rd downs yesterday at STAR?? McMurray I think is gone next season.
I’m not very high on Gibson as others are. Redmond has more career INTs than him.

The whole secondary will need a hard RESET for 2026. Bring in 4 -5 transfer DBs. Comb through the FCS all-Americans and attack other P4 rosters.
Let all the HS kids compete with whats already there. The GA kid that plays Rouse will be a factor as a true freshman.

Turrentine
Carter
McCoy
McMurray
Hood
Gibson will not be on the 2026 roster.

Redmond has the same amount of INTs as Colton Hood this season. Think they’re the same?

And why won’t Gibson be on the roster?

 

[LittleVol]

Redmond has the same amount of INTs as Colton Hood this season. Think they’re the same?

And why won’t Gibson be on the roster?

Because he won’t be there. He almost left this last offseason. And he was needed.
McCoy will eventually play this season and then leave. Gibson will want more money and we won’t budge, and he’ll leave.

Redmond has been better than Gibson.
Not sure why you brought up Hood.

Regardless we still need TWO guys at safety from the Transfer Portal to come in and elevate the room for competition.

Not sure why anyone is arguing against that.
Or about my sentiments with Gibson. McCoy was light years better than him. Hood and Redmond have been better than him.

 

[MarcoVol]

Because he won’t be there. He almost left this last offseason. And he was needed.
McCoy will eventually play this season and then leave. Gibson will want more money and we won’t budge, and he’ll leave.

Redmond has been better than Gibson.
Not sure why you brought up Hood.

Regardless we still need TWO guys at safety from the Transfer Portal to come in and elevate the room for competition.

Not sure why anyone is arguing against that.
Or about my sentiments with Gibson. McCoy was light years better than him. Hood and Redmond have been better than him.

Brought up Hood bc when comparing Redmond and Gibson you said they had the same amount of INTs. So for reference of why that might be a silly point to make, I compared Redmond’s INT numbers to Hood’s (who is very good).

Redmond has not been better than Gibson imo. But these are all just opinions.

I also think Gibson will be here next year.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Safety is definitely a problem. The average guys we have are playing too many snaps at they start to look bad. Didn’t see Beasley at all yesterday.
Farooq looked bad except for the fumble. Boo gave up how many 3rd downs yesterday at STAR?? McMurray I think is gone next season.
I’m not very high on Gibson as others are. Redmond has more career INTs than him.

The whole secondary will need a hard RESET for 2026. Bring in 4 -5 transfer DBs. Comb through the FCS all-Americans and attack other P4 rosters.
Let all the HS kids compete with whats already there. The GA kid that plays Rouse will be a factor as a true freshman.

Turrentine
Carter
McCoy
McMurray
Hood
Gibson will not be on the 2026 roster.

Fwiw I thought Sidney Walton showed some good things but I agree with the general sense of they better fix this secondary heading into next season...