Tag: transfer portal

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule talks with an official against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Portal fears could end Nebraska spring football game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule says he just might pull the plug on his team’s traditional spring game.

And while the fervent faithful in Lincoln, Neb., likely would be devastated if Rhule follows through, the third-year coach said it might be necessary to keep his program together.

“I don’t know that yet, but I’ll be honest with you. I highly doubt it,” Rhule told reporters Saturday about the likelihood of the Cornhuskers playing the game.

The reason? The transfer portal. He doesn’t want to expose his players to other coaches who might try to pluck them during the spring transfer window.

“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said. “It’s just an absolute free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these guys all being able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’ “

Rhule said he is considering ways to give fans a preseason look at the team without sharing his players with the nation. The spring game last year drew 60,452 fans to Lincoln, and it also was televised on the Big Ten Network.

The spring transfer portal closes April 25. After that, as a ceremonial close to spring practices, Nebraska could invite the fans in.

“I do want to show off our players in some way,” he said. “So what exactly will it be? … I have not worried about anything other than recruiting right now.”

–Field Level Media

Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison addresses media after a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in South Bend.

Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison to declare for draft

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Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison plans to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced Thursday on social media.

The 6-foot, 190-pound junior underwent season-ending hip surgery in October but still is considered a first-round pick.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., in his mock draft issued Thursday, projected Morrison to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings, who have the No. 24 pick.

“After much prayer and conversations with my loved ones, I’ve decided to forego my final year of eligibility at Notre Dame and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft,” Morrison posted to Instagram.

“This is not just the end of one chapter — it’s the beginning of another. I’ll carry the lessons, memories and love from Notre Dame with me every step of the way. Thank you for making these years unforgettable and allowing me to live out my dreams.”

A four-star prospect from Phoenix in the Class of 2022, Morrison appeared in 31 games (26 starts) for the Irish. A team captain, he had 84 career tackles, 27 passes defensed, nine interceptions and a touchdown. He was limited to six games in 2024 because of the hip injury.

Also Thursday, 247Sports reported a trio of Notre Dame offensive linemen — Ty Chan and starters Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan — had entered the transfer portal.

That represents a huge loss of experience for the Irish, who lost 34-23 to Ohio State in that College Football Playoff title game on Monday night.

Combined, the three played 84 games for Notre Dame, including 44 games in the 2024 season for the 14-2 Irish.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) takes the field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas QB Arch Manning has ‘no plans’ to enter transfer portal

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Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning said he intends to return to the Longhorns next season, despite rumors he would enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Speaking Monday in advance of No. 5 seed Texas’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance against No. 4 Arizona State at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Manning said he intends to continue suiting up in burnt orange.

While the portal closed Dec. 28, players on teams still involved in bowl games have an extended window.

“I really have no plans on entering the portal or anything so I don’t really know about it, about the whole windows and everything,” Manning said.

Manning, a redshirt freshman, made the statement without a public declaration from starter Quinn Ewers about his status for 2025. Ewers hasn’t confirmed a mid-December report that he’d enter the 2025 NFL Draft. That is an option for Ewers, as is returning to Texas or transferring.

The No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2023 coming out of Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, Manning appeared in two games last season. But in 2024, with an abdominal injury to Ewers, Manning started two games and played in seven others.

On the season, he has completed 67.8 percent of his pass attempts (61 of 90) for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed 24 times for 100 yards with four scores.

He went 2-0 as a starter against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State. He has taken situational snaps since Ewers’ return.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) cheers after singing the victory song on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski to enter portal, keep eye on draft

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Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who won two FCS national titles at South Dakota State, is entering the transfer portal but also keeping his eyes on his NFL draft potential, he told ESPN.

In four seasons with the Jackrabbits, he played in 55 games, posting a 49-6 record as a starter. He has one year of eligibility available and is expected to be contacted by several power-conference programs.

“I’m trying to weigh all my options to do what’s best for me and my career,” Gronowski told ESPN on Sunday. “I’m confident in what I can do in the NFL. If there’s opportunities that help my family, I’ll change my mind. It’s doing what’s best for me and my long-term interest overall.”

A native of Illinois, Gronowski led South Dakota State to FCS titles in back-to-back titles in 2022-23. The Jackrabbits lost 28-21 to North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals on Dec. 21.

In 2023, he won the Walter Payton Award, which honors the top FCS offensive player.

In his career, Gronowski has completed 64 percent of his passes for 10,309 yards and 93 touchdowns against 20 interceptions. On the ground, he ran for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Makhi Hughes (21) runs against UTSA Roadrunners running back Kevorian Barnes (4) during the first half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Report: Tulane RB Makhi Hughes in transfer portal

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Tulane star running back Makhi Hughes is entering the transfer portal, ESPN reported Friday.

A two-time selection to the All-American Athletic Conference first-team, Hughes has two years of eligibility remaining.

Hughes rushed for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games for the Green Wave (9-5) this season.

He was named the AAC Rookie of the Year in 2023 with 1,378 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

The Birmingham, Ala., native was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2022, as ranked by 247Sports.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Air Noland (12) warms up prior to the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State QB Air Noland, former five-star recruit, hits portal

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Quarterback Air Noland is back on the runway, entering the transfer portal Monday after one season at Ohio State.

Noland ranked in the top five among quarterbacks in the Class of 2024 and picked the Buckeyes over Alabama and Miami in April 2023.

The Buckeyes anticipate strong competition for the starting job in 2025 with freshman transfer Julian Sayin (originally committed to Alabama) and Tavien St. Clair, a five-star prospect who was ranked as high as No. 3 overall in the 2025 class.

Noland had 55 touchdown passes in 2022 to lead Langston Hughes High School to its first Georgia state championship and ended his high school career with 126 touchdowns.

Devin Brown is working as the backup to Will Howard in playoff preparations, coach Ryan Day said, but Brown is in the transfer portal and expected to play elsewhere next season.

Recent Ohio State transfers at the position include Texas starter Quinn Ewers and Joe Burrow, who left for LSU, won the national title and Heisman Trophy and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Because Michigan signed five-star quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect Bryce Underwood away from LSU, the Tigers are back in the transfer market along with Oklahoma.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (94) deflects the pass of Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) in the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

One-time Oregon commit, Miss. State QB Michael Van Buren Jr. hits portal

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Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. hit the transfer portal after one season in Starkville, igniting another likely string of dominoes on the college QB carousel.

The true freshman started eight games for the Bulldogs in 2024, taking over as QB1 when starter Blake Shapen was injured, including a 300-yard effort with three TD passes in a 41-31 loss to Georgia.

“My family and I are forever thankful to coach (Jeff) Lebby, the staff, my teammates, the administrative team and the professors for their contributions to my growth as an individual,” Van Buren posted on social media. “For the past year, we have worked arm in arm to generate some memorable moments in coach Lebby’s first year, and I am confident there is more greatness to come from the program.”

Shapen said Monday he plans to return to Mississippi State next season.

However, he could soon have significant competition for the starting job.

Mississippi State is reportedly heavily pursuing quarterbacks in the transfer portal and was on the list of planned visits by Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold, according to reports.

The Bulldogs were 2-10 in Lebby’s first season and Van Buren passed for 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions with five rushing touchdowns.

Lebby was previously offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma and recruited Arnold. He coached Arnold in 2023, the first of the quarterback’s two seasons in Norman, when Dillon Gabriel — the current Oregon starter — was ahead of Norman on the depth chart.

In May 2023, Van Buren committed to Dan Lanning and Oregon ahead of his two other finalists, Penn State and Maryland.

But when Lebby left Oklahoma to take over at Mississippi State, the dominoes dropped in this order: Van Buren decommitted from the Ducks and signed with Mississippi State; Gabriel transferred from Oklahoma to Oregon; and Arnold was promoted to the starting job with the Sooners.

Luke Moga, a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, held to his commitment to Oregon and remains with the Ducks entering the postseason.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) scores a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during overtime at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech WR Eric Singleton enters portal, plans Georgia visit

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Georgia Tech sophomore wide receiver Eric Singleton entered the transfer portal on Monday, eyeing a rival known for dealing the Yellow Jackets losses.

Singleton had a team-high 56 catches for 754 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 after delivering 48 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman in 2023.

He also rushed for 131 yards and a TD on 21 carries in 2024.

Singleton had eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown in the regular-season finale at Georgia, and will reportedly visit the Bulldogs in Athens.

The news comes on the same day Georgia wide receiver Nitro Tuggle said he was entering the portal, which officially opened Monday and remains open until Dec. 28. And another Bulldogs wide receiver, Michael Jackson III, announced he would hit the portal again after recording only one catch this season. The former four-star recruit spent his first three seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia.

A product of Alexander High School in Douglasville (Ga.), Singleton was rated a three-star recruit in 2023 and had offers from Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Troy but not Georgia.

Players who enter the transfer portal are permitted to return to their original school.

Georgia Tech (7-5) was selected for the Birmingham Bowl and plays Vanderbilt on Dec. 27.

–Nebraska freshman DL Keona Davis to transfer

Nebraska freshman defensive lineman Keona Davis plans to transfer following the departure of Huskers defensive line coach Terrance Knighton.

“After thoughtful reflection and careful consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining,” Davis said via X. “I want to thank Coach Rhule and his staff, my teammates, and everyone in Husker Nation who has supported me along the way. I am deeply grateful for the experiences, relationships, and opportunities I’ve had as a Cornhusker. Thank you, Husker Nation!”

Davis was a top 15 recruit from the state of Arizona in 2023. He had two tackles for loss and nine total tackles in 2024 as a true freshman.

Knighton, who accepted a post at Florida State last week, raised Davis’ profile in fall camp when he compared his upside to former Nebraska All-American and NFL All-Pro Ndamukong Suh.

“When he leaves here, he’s going to look like 93 that used to play here. That’s what I feel — he’s going to be a big guy,” Knighton said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Daniel Kaelin (12) throws a pass before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Report: Nebraska QB Daniel Kaelin to enter transfer portal

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Nebraska quarterback Daniel Kaelin told the Cornhuskers coaching staff on Tuesday that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, ESPN reported.

He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-3 Kaelin was part of Nebraska’s 2024 recruiting class. A former Elite 11 quarterback at Bellevue West High School in Nebraska, he took a redshirt season in 2024.

He didn’t appear in any games for Nebraska, with fellow freshman Dylan Raiola entrenched as the starter.

Kaelin initially committed to Missouri in March 2023, then decommitted in favor of his home-state program.

–Field Level Media

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A sign at the entrance to the NCAA Hall of Champions and national office. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Division I Council cuts transfer portal windows to 30 total days

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The NCAA Division I Council voted Tuesday in favor of shortening the transfer portal windows for both football and basketball.

The timeframes in which athletes could enter the transfer portal had already been trimmed once from 60 to 45 days. Tuesday’s decision brought those windows down to a combined 30 days.

Eliminating the spring window for football had been under consideration, but the Division I Council opted to keep it for players eyeing a transfer after the results of spring practices.

Football players will have a 20-day window during the winter and a 10-day window in the spring. The dates for the 2024-25 offseason will be Dec. 9-28 and April 16-25. Athletes in the portal can commit to a new school at any time, not only when the portal is open for them to enter.

The men’s and women’s basketball transfer portal will open for 30 days starting the day after the end of the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Athletes will still be given the opportunity to transfer for 30 days when their original school’s head coach departs for any reason, starting the day the departure is announced.

The timeline modifications should help athletic programs better navigate the offseason after the advent of the free one-time transfer coupled with name, image and likeness rights made for unprecedented amounts of player movement.

More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered the transfer portal during 2023-24. The number of men’s basketball players to hit the portal in 2024 was around 2,000, some estimates found.

–Field Level Media