ESPNs Take on the Transfer Portal and Incoming Freshman

[Tandaian]

1. USC Trojans

Top impact newcomers: WR Zachariah Branch (No. 7 recruit in the ESPN 300), RB MarShawn Lloyd (South Carolina transfer), DT Bear Alexander (Georgia transfer), WR Dorian Singer (Arizona transfer)

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: 10th

 

The Trojans' blend of high-level recruiting and utilizing the portal could propel them into their first playoff appearance. They added more potential offensive firepower with a pair of five-star WRs, led by Branch, a dynamic speedster (10.33 100-meter) who can quickly contribute on offense and in the return game, while a healthy Makai Lemon only adds to the riches in their receiver room. They brought in two RBs to complement second-leading returning rusher Austin Jones by adding South Carolina's top rusher from last season, Lloyd (573 yards), and four-star signee Quinten Joyner, whose strong spring is creating buzz.

 

A question for the Trojans coming out of the signing periods was the strengthening of the trenches, but they addressed that concern well via the portal. On the defensive front Kyon Barrs (Arizona) and Jack Sullivan (Purdue) bring Power 5 starting experience. Alexander (Georgia) and Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M) were both highly touted prospects in the 2022 class who possess a wealth of ability and have time on their side. Samuel Greene was an underrated signing with a good explosiveness who could contribute right away at rush end.

 

Long-term overview: Sustained playoff contention. This program inserted players to win now, but unlike the Los Angeles Rams, USC is not built for all or nothing. Returning Heisman winner Caleb Williams, we may not even see the Trojans' top signee in 2023, but No. 1 QB Malachi Nelson gives them an elite heir apparent who can benefit from time to learn and physically develop. On defense, ESPN 300 LB Tackett Curtis and safety Christian Pierce are already creating buzz and display promising futures. Several portal transfers have limited eligibility, but big additions such as Alexander and Lucas are coming off freshmen seasons.

 

2. Miami Hurricanes

Top impact newcomers: OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 6 recruit), OG Javion Cohen (Alabama transfer), LB Francisco Mauigoa (Washington State transfer), RB Mark Fletcher (No. 204 recruit)

 

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: fifth

Mario Cristobal returned to his alma mater as head coach and nicely blended use of the transfer portal with 2023 prospects to boost the roster that won just five games last season. Francis Mauigoa, the No. 1 OT recruit, is a massive, powerful and agile player who competed regularly against top competition at IMG Academy and looks poised to immediately take a major role in the trenches. The O-line should also benefit from portal additions of Cohen, who started over 20 games the past two seasons at Alabama, and UCF's Matthew Lee, one of the top centers in the country.

 

One time Ohio State commit Fletcher was a key hometown keep and should immediately get touches. The ESPN 300 RB, out of South Florida power American Heritage, is a big back who can be a three-down back and grind in short yardage but also has some big-play wiggle, showing out during a 224-yard, two-score performance against Los Alamitos High School (California) last season. On defense, Francis' older brother, Francisco, strengthens the front seven. Meanwhile, versatile DL Anthony Campbell (Louisiana-Monroe) was a nice late add to a unit long looking to reestablish itself as one of the nation's most dominant.

 

Long-term overview: Players in place to return to college football's elite. While additions such as Lee on the OL are short term, some promising young players are also on the roster in the trenches in Mauigoa and fellow five-star OL Samson Okunlola, who could contribute in Year 1. Fletcher was not the only key local signing, as DL Rueben Bain from Miami Central is an explosive player who notched three sacks last season against an IMG O-line that included Mauigoa. TE Riley Williams has tools to be one of Miami's next big-time players at the position. DE Collins Acheampong has limited experience but tremendous upside with elite length and agility. While he'll need time to develop, he could end up one of the most impactful signings from this class in a few years.

 

5. Colorado Buffaloes

Top impact newcomers: ATH Travis Hunter (Jackson State transfer), QB Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State transfer), S Myles Slusher (Arkansas transfer), WR Jimmy Horn Jr. (South Florida transfer), RB Dylan Edwards (No. 140 recruit).

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: 23rd

 

Colorado made headlines with its sweeping roster overhaul, and with that, Deion Sanders added impact talent to help rebuild a program that won just five games over the past two seasons. Hunter shocked the recruiting world when he signed with Jackson State out of high school during the 2022 recruiting cycle, but it was no surprise to see him follow Sanders to Colorado, which is great news for the Buffaloes. A dynamic playmaker, he will likely bolster the roster on both sides of the ball with action at CB and WR.

No one better understands what Coach Prime wants to accomplish or serves as a more ideal offensive leader than his son Shedeur. He brings experience and production from his time at Jackson State, having thrown for over 6,000 yards and 70 TDs. A record number of outgoing transfers will in turn bring in new faces, such as Horn, who can be a versatile addition on offense and in the return game. Former AAC Rookie of the Year Alton McCaskill (Houston) could be a key addition to the ground attack.

 

Long-term overview: Major overhaul underway. Deion's aggressiveness in the portal has brought quick fixes but also longer-term answers to build upon. Those include additions such as Hunter, an elite talent who is entering just his sophomore season, and Shedeur, who can bring some stability to the QB position with two years of eligibility. The portal is not the only resource being utilized to rebuild, as Colorado was able to sign a top-25 class that included five-star CB Cormani McClain. A defender with elite length and body control, he could give Colorado one of the top CB tandems in the country once he gets rolling in the program. Edwards, an early enrollee and top-10 running back prospect, may be among the soonest to contribute. While he needs to add mass, he is an electric speedster who posted a 4.39 40 and a 7.12 L-drill on the camp circuit last year and can quickly become an offensive playmaker.

 

6. Oregon Ducks

Top impact newcomers: DE Jordan Burch (South Carolina transfer), OL Junior Angilau (Texas transfer), LB Jestin Jacobs (Iowa transfer), DE Matayo Uiagalelei (No. 65 recruit)

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: eighth

 

The portal yielded big returns last year in QB Bo Nix and the Ducks' top two rushers. Can it lead to similar success at receiver? If Traeshon Holden can consistently reach the promise he showed in high school as an ESPN 300 prospect with nice length and good speed who signed with Alabama in 2020, he can be key target in the passing attack. To protect the playmaking talent, the Ducks found potential starters in Angilau, a three-year starter at Texas with limited eligibility remaining, and one of the top FCS offensive linemen in Rhode Island's Ajani Cornelius, who should at least add quality depth.

 

Defensive-minded head coach Dan Lanning wants to get to the opposing QB more, and Burch can do that. A five-star in the 2020 class, he never quite met those expectations at South Carolina but was productive and after showing progress last season (7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks) he could become the Ducks' most dangerous pass-rusher since Kayvon Thibodeaux. ESPN 300 signee Uiagalelei is a freshman who could step in and bring positional versatility.

 

Long-term overview: Built to remain a premier power out west. Jacobs should be an immediate productive starter with a few years of eligibility left. After a promising 2021 season when he was among Iowa's leading tacklers, his 2022 campaign was cut short by injury, but after a strong spring he could end up as one of Oregon's top additions. Cole Martin, the son of cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin, lacks ideal size (5-10, 175) in the secondary but is an active, heady defender who will throw his body around and should at the very least be a special teams star early on. The Ducks added big-time speed to the roster via their top-10 2023 recruiting class with signings such as DB Rodrick Pleasant, one of the fastest players in the class regardless of position, and WR Ashton Cozart, a target with nice length who has posted an 11.05 100-meter and a laser-timed 4.58 40.

 

9. UCLA Bruins

Top impact newcomers: QB Dante Moore (No. 2 recruit), RB Carson Steele (Ball State transfer), WR J. Michael Sturdivant (Cal transfer)

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: 31st

 

UCLA needs to replace multiyear starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB, and it used both avenues to do that. Five-star QB Moore was a seismic flip late in the process from Oregon. A mobile and accurate passer with a quick release, he could be a plug-and-play answer under center. If Moore needs time to gain experience, Kent State transfer Collin Schlee brings that, having thrown for over 2,000 yards last season.

 

The Bruins' top two rushers are gone, but Steele can be an immediate answer, as he was one of the nation's leading rushers last season at Ball State. Sturdivant was one of the few bright spots for Cal last season with 65 catches. Transfer WR Kyle Ford from rival USC is a big target who can win contested matchups and looks to be another strong option for their new QB. UCLA also plucked one of Cal's most productive defenders in LB Oluwafemi Oladejo, who brings proven production within the conference.

 

Long-term overview: Blending transfers and recruits seems to be the path forward. Chip Kelly has always had a unique approach to recruiting, and the Bruins are not a program usually at the top of the class rankings. Still, they added talent through a blend of transfers and high schoolers. Whether he starts Week 1 or not, Moore is one of the more talented QB prospects entering college football and gives this program a prospect with the tools to be one of the elite signal-callers over the coming seasons. Production and talent might allow Sturdivant to jump to the NFL after this season; if not, he still has a few years of eligibility available. Jeremiah McClure, an ESPN 300 signee, should benefit from the additions of Sturdivant and Ford and develop into UCLA's next top target.

 

20. Arizona State Sun Devils

Top impact newcomers: QB Drew Pyne (Notre Dame transfer), WR Xavier Guillory (Idaho State transfer), RB Cameron Skattebo (Sacramento State transfer), DB Xavion Alford (USC transfer)

 

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: 46th

Several new faces are in the QB room, and while Pyne is no sure winner, he can give a rebuilding Sun Devils program a steady and experienced performer at the position. A pair of FCS additions could help boost the offense. Guillory brings some vertical speed, and he tallied nearly 100 catches in two seasons at Idaho State.

 

If his performance in the spring game is any indication, Skattebo could be a breakout performer. A 1,000-yard rusher at FCS playoff program Sacramento State, he was the Big Sky player of the year and should see plenty of touches in Tempe.

 

Long-term overview: Work in progress. Poor on-field play and poor results on the recruiting trail led to a coaching change, but Kenny Dillingham is working on changing the program's direction. He might have gotten his QB of the future in Jaden Rashada after he was released from his national letter of intent with Florida. Rashada gives the Sun Devils a QB with a smooth release and good arm strength to develop. The trenches are key, and DL signees Ashley Williams, who brings a good motor, and C.J. Fite, who could play a role in their rotation this season, are quickly showing signs of being good building blocks out of this class.

 

24. Washington Huskies

Top impact newcomers: CB Jabbar Muhammad (Oklahoma State transfer), RB Dillon Johnson (Mississippi State transfer), WR Germie Bernard (Michigan State transfer), LB Ralen Goforth (USC transfer)

2023 recruiting class ranking finish: 28th

 

Kalen DeBoer jump-started this program, as the Huskies ascended from four wins to 11 in 2022, and he added enough players to prevent any regression. Three of their top four recruits project to the secondary, and they bolstered that unit via the portal in Muhammad, who brings experience and was a productive starter for the Cowboys last season. They also dipped into the juco ranks by adding ESPN JC 50 CB Thaddeus Dixon.

 

On offense, they brought in two RBs with Power 5 experience in Daniyel Ngata, who has 689 career rushing yards with Arizona State, and Dillon Johnson, who totaled nearly 1,200 yards in three seasons with Mississippi State and should command touches this fall.

 

Long-term overview: Don't sleep on UW. The Huskies signed one of the better classes in the Pac-12, thanks in part to 2023 signee Landen Hatchett, a tough in-state addition who performed well during Under Armour All-America week. He should work his way into the two-deep and develop into an anchor on their O-line. WR Germie Bernard was once committed to the Huskies during the 2022 recruiting cycle, flipped to Michigan State then transferred to Washington. The former ESPN 300 prospect had a good spring, and he looks ready to contribute.