2025/26 Transfer Portal Thread

#1

Sandman Vol

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#1
With roster limits expanded and scholarship limits pretty much accounted for (I think?), big opportunity for Heupel to make the portal his ally by being aggressive and having a sense of urgency. He got very lucky to get the guys he did late in the cycle and have them largely work out (hood, thomas, Pendleton, moe, aguilar). We might not have been bowl eligible without them. I trust the staffs evals and I hope they go out and get all the veteran guys they need to weather injuries and finish games next year that they couldn’t this year.

My Final Transfer Grade: B+
- Did we not act fast enough? Or were we patient and got the right guys for the right price?
- Most positions of need filled with quality players. Biggest wins: AC back, multiple starters from PSU defense with experience in Knowles system, Quality and Depth in the defensive backfield.
- Docked points for not getting a starting QB and not more than one player at DT/DE (will be closely watching this during the season, RG development of current guys could make or break the season). If JA wins another season of eligibility, upgrade this to an A-. If he doesn’t, GMac needs an offseason of incredible growth (in the weight room, in the film room, as a leader).

NOTES:

PORTAL NEEDS (updates as we hear of current roster developments):

1a. Multiple Interior DL: ✅❌❌
- It all starts up front in this league. Gotta own the LOS. preferably both a nose tackle and DT type of starter quality are needed.
1b. Multiple Edge/LEO: ✅✅
- went from not really needing more edge to not having anyone besides our freshmen incoming class. We need MULTIPLE certified dudes here. It’s a cornerstone piece of Jim Knowles defense. I’m not sure how we f’ed this, but we need solutions BAD.
2. Multiple Safeties: ✅✅✅
-
at least one immediate starter would be nice (with Knowles in fold, look for multiple transfers at this position to pair with farooq)
3. Veteran Qb: ❎
-
to push competition for or even win the starting job (if JA does not come back). Staub probably fits the role of push GMac for starting spot, but I think it’s pretty clear GMac will be the odds on favorite. Staub beating him out for the job would be concerning. Not to say Staub couldn’t be a sleeper for a serviceable QB, but the expectations have been that we are signing 5star QBs and should have a field general of great impact at the position. We’ll see what happens.
4. Multiple CB and/or Star: ✅✅✅❎❎
- be curious how Knowles recruits the defensive backfield, expecting more safety types than corners, but the corners must be top flight as they will be required to cover man down field or crash the line and tackle on any given play.
5. Defensive End: ❌
-
who is replacing Tyre West/Dom Bailey? That’s some quality production needing replacing. Some speculation that Hobbs may assume this role in Knowles defense.
6. LB: ✅
-
Probably will let Knowles look for a veteran LB to replace Carter and help install his defense. They like the rest of the room I believe, and Inge is staying on. Underperformance this year was most due to pressure put on them from a bad DL front (scheme-wise - thanks Timmy B) and poor safety play (thanks again Timmy). This in addition to his LEO (is this player on roster?) and center field safety (and other DBs) will be primary targets.
7. OT (with Heard transferring) ✅
8. C/OG (if moe/pendleton go - neither have left but with satterwhite and others in the two deep leaving, expecting we’ll take at least one here) ✅❌
9. RB (with Lewis transfering out) ❎
10. Kicker (Max got the git shirt) ✅
11. Miscellaneous Special Teams ✅✅

^
✅: Filled Need with Quality Player
❎: Filled Need with Non-Contributor
❌: Did Not Fill Need


As confident as I’m sure CJH is in our young guys, I will be concerned if we take less than 8-10 10-12 13-15 15-18 portal players across the various needs we have. Any less and I’ll be worried we’re a couple injuries away from another 8-5 or worse season.

Current Roster on Scholly Transferring Out:

QB Jake Merklinger
RB Peyton Lewis
WR Amari Jefferson
TE Jack Van Doseleer
OT Lance Heard
C William Satterwhite

OL Ayden Bussell
OL Max Anderson
OT Bennett Warren
OT Brian Grant
DL Trevor Duncan
DT Jamal Wallace
DE Kellen Lindstrom
DL Jayden Loftin
DL Josh Schell
Edge Caleb Herring
Edge Jordan Ross

Edge Emanuel Okoye
LB Arion Carter
LB Brendan Anes
CB Rickey Gibson
DB Marcus Goree
DB Colin Brazzell
DB Kaleb Beasley
ATH Boo-Hoo carter
K Max Gilbert


^ I have bolded the above that were in the starting lineup or two deep, denoting that their either their production or simply their position is one we will need to go get a difference maker at to replace them with.

**Note** A pundit (don’t remember which, probably AP) said word was we would lose a lot to the portal this year, but that initial word was not many would be ones we’d be sad to see go, similar to last year. That would be good news if we capitalize and fill the roster with upgrades at positions that experience attrition. Bad news if we don’t. Let’s not get too off track lamenting over “development.”That’ll be $9.95

Confirmed Notable Losses to Draft/Grad:

QB Joey Aguilar (?) Grad
WR Chris Brazzell NFL Draft
RB Star Thomas Grad
TE Miles Kitzelmann Grad
DE Tyre West Grad/NFL Draft
DL Dominic Bailey Grad
DT Jaxon Moi Grad
DT Bryson Eason Grad
Edge Joshua Josephs NFL Draft
LB Arion Carter STAYING
CB Jermod McCoy NFL Draft
CB Colton Hood NFL Draft
CB Jalen McMurray Grad
S Andre Turrentine Grad

^ All in the starting rotation. Basically half the starting roster.

CONFIRMED EXPECTED VISITS

CB/NB Qua Moss
Jan 3 SIGNED 💥
OT Ory Williams
Jan 4 SIGNED 💥
RB Zylan Perry
Jan 4th Weekend ✅
S Tawfiq Byard End of Jan 4th weekend
DT Xavier Gilliam Jan 5 SIGNED 💥
CB Jacquez White
Monday Jan 5th ✅
LB Khmori House Monday Jan 5th ✅
EDGE Chaz Coleman Jan 5 SIGNED 💥
OL Anwar O’Neal Monday Jan 5th
S Lyrik Rawls Tuesday Jan 6th ✅
RB Cam Cook Tuesday Jan 6th
LB Keaton Thomas Tuesday Jan 6th
DT Mateen Ibirogba Wednesday Jan 7th
DT Francis Brewu Wednesday Jan 7th ✅
IOL Dylan Sikorski Wednesday Jan 7th ✅
CB Kayin Lee Jan 7 SIGNED 💥
CB Kanye Thompson Wednesday Jan 7th
DE Adam Trick Wednesday Jan 7th
QB Sam Leavitt Thursday Jan 8th ✅
ATH Gavin Freeman Jan 8 SIGNED

LS/LB Blake Howard SIGNED 💥
K Cooper Ranvier
Jan 8 SIGNED 💥
CB Gentry Williams
Thursday Jan 8th ✅
LB Amare Campbell Jan 9 SIGNED 💥
S Dejuan Lane Jan 10 SIGNED 💥
POS Lane Kiffin
Friday Jan 9th ✅
S Joenel Aguero Saturday Jan 10th
RB Bryson Washington Saturday Jan 10th
RB Kendrick Raphael Saturday Jan 10th
S Conrad Hussey Saturday Jan 10th
S TJ Metcalf Jan 10 SIGNED 💥
QB Beau Pribula Saturday Jan 11th ✅
CB Sione Laulea Sunday Jan 11th
EDGE Qua Russaw Sunday Jan 11th ✅
DT James Smith Subday Jan 11th ✅

EDGE Jordan Norman Jan 11 SIGNED 💥
RB JaKobi Jackson Sunday Jan 11th ✅
DT Walter Mathis Jr Sunday Jan 11th ✅
DT Daelyn Evans Sunday Jan 11th ✅
RB Gavin Sawchuk Sunday Jan 11th ✅
IOL Donovan Haslam Jan 17 SIGNED 💥
S DJ Burks
Jan 15 SIGNED💥
RB Javian Gordan
Jan 15th SIGNED 💥
CB Tevis Metcalf SIGNED 💥
IOL Ethan Field
Thursday Jan 15th ✅
RB Makhi Frazier Friday Jan 16th
CB Omillio Agard Friday Jan 16th
S Faheem Delane Friday Jan 16th
CB Aaron Scott Sunday Jan 18th
CB Peyton Taylor Jan 16th Weekend
TE Trent Thomas Jan 17 SIGNED 💥
EDGE Mylachi Williams
Next Week
EDGE Enai White Soon
DT Enow Etta Soon
S Cody Haddad Saturday Jan 17th ✅
CB/PR Isaiah Hardge Jan 18 SIGNED💥
IDL Brien Taylor
Jan 17th ✅
QB Ryan Staub Jan 17 SIGNED💥
LB Arion Carter
Jan 18 WITHDRAWN 💥
TE/HB Drake Martinez
Jan 22 COMMIT💥
WR Ian Duarte
Jan 21 SIGNED 💥
WR Carter Shaw Thursday Jan 22nd
DB Jadais Richard Jan 23 SIGNED 💥

^ ✅ Denotes Made It To Campus

PROJECTED COST BY POSITION
 
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#2
#2
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.
 
#3
#3
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.

Original post:

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?

















 
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#4
#4
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.
 
#5
#5
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).
 
#7
#7
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.
 
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#8
#8
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.
 
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#10
#10
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)
 
#11
#11
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.
 
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#17
#17
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.
 
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#19
#19
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
 
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#20
#20
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.
 
#25
#25
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...
 

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