CFB Transfer Portal: Top 5 Landing Spots for Jacoby Mathews

5. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan does not have any direct connections to Jacoby Mathews. Still, the Wolverines lost a lot of players with a ton of experience to the NFL Draft, including several in the secondary. Mathews has valued experience, and the Wolverines could use an all-around safety in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's scheme. Getting a call from the reigning National Champions could turn the head of Mathews despite him not listing UM as a target school.

2. Florida State Seminoles

Jacoby Mathews started the season's final nine games for Texas A&M, and the Florida State Seminoles are among the two early leaders who landed him in the spring transfer window. The Noles don’t have an apparent need at safety, but adding a player with a high ceiling wouldn't be something to pass on. In addition, FSU might be aware of some upcoming roster attrition at the safety position that would open a need for Mathews. Mathews told On3’s Steve Wiltfong that FSU and Oregon were his two favorite landing spots as of April 16.

Florida State 2024 Win Total: 9.5

3. USC Trojans

Two football powerhouses need a complete reboot on defense after the 2023 season: LSU and USC. Jacoby Mathews cannot transfer to his home state, LSU Tigers, because of the SEC’s intraconference transfer ban during the spring transfer window. That leaves the USC Trojans. Lincoln Riley has made it clear that he knows he needs a cultural shift within his program on the defensive side of the ball. The Trojans have addressed that with coaching hires and high school recruiting and will continue to make that a priority with additions from the portal. Mathews would likely instantly start for USC at safety.

USC 2024 Win Total: 7.5

4. Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes are expected to be one of the more active teams in the transfer portal, and Jacoby Mathews figures to be a target. Mario Cristobal has some Louisiana natives on his staff, including defensive coordinator and safeties coach Lance Guidry and recruiting director Dennis Smith. Miami’s current returning safeties have a total of four career starts, so bringing in an experienced safety with the potential to grow as a player would make sense.

5. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan does not have any direct connections to Jacoby Mathews. Still, the Wolverines lost a lot of players with a ton of experience to the NFL Draft, including several in the secondary. Mathews has valued experience, and the Wolverines could use an all-around safety in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's scheme. Getting a call from the reigning National Champions could turn the head of Mathews despite him not listing UM as a target school.