NCAAF · 1 year ago

CFB Transfer Portal: Top 5 Landing Spots for KeAndre Lambert-Smith

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies will be a completely different team than what fans saw the last time they were on the field. Since the National Championship Game against Michigan, the Huskies have lost nearly their entire coaching staff and much of the existing roster. New head coach Jedd Fisch has an enormous task in front of him as UW heads to the Big Ten with the exact opposite program continuity. Fisch does have some things going for him. Washington has a supportive fan base with a strong NIL program and a history of producing good offenses that he can show to a recruit like KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Washington 2024 Win Total: 7.5
1. USC Trojans
KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the Penn State Nittany Lions in catches and receiving yards in 2023 and started more games than any other active Big Ten wide receiver. Lambert-Smith was the only Penn State receiver in 2023 to receive more than 250 yards. He is at his best in the slot but can also slide outside. Lambert-Smith is the top wide receiver available in the spring portal window, and the USC Trojans have emerged as a contender for his services. They could use additional wideouts and weapons to help Miller Moss, and Lambert-Smith has reciprocated interest with the Trojans and is looking to visit and hear Lincoln Riley’s pitch.

USC 2024 Win Total: 7.5
2. Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes will be highly active in the spring transfer window, and finding more weapons for Cam Ward will be a priority. Reports from Miami’s spring practice indicate that Ward is everything Mario Cristobal hoped he would be, and the staff believes they have a window to win now. That means aggressive pursuit and spending in this window, and replacing Colbie Young (who transferred to Georgia) with KeAndre Lambert-Smith would be a good step.

Miami 2024 Win Total: 9.5
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide wide receivers were a bit disappointing a season ago, at least by their lofty standards. Part of that could be attributed to the system, and part of that could be attributed to Jalen Milroe's shortcomings as a passer. Regardless of the reasons, the results are the results. New head coach Kalen DeBoer brought Germie Bernard from Washington with him, who should help, but the Crimson Tide still need additional help at the position. KeAndre Lambert-Smith can function in the slot or on the outside and may find DeBoer's system appealing after the success the Washington wide receivers enjoyed.

Alabama 2024 Win Total: 9.5
4. Texas A&M Aggies
The Texas A&M Aggies lost wide receiver Evan Stewart to the Oregon Ducks, and new head coach Mike Elko needs to find additional support for quarterback Conner Weigman. This is a big season for Weigman, as the much-hyped prospect needs to begin to show that he can stay healthy and lead a potent offense. Elko made some excellent hires and is a competent head coach, but the Aggies have lost a lot of talent to the transfer portal and need to start bringing some in.

Texas A&M Aggies 2024 Win Total: 8.5
5. Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies will be a completely different team than what fans saw the last time they were on the field. Since the National Championship Game against Michigan, the Huskies have lost nearly their entire coaching staff and much of the existing roster. New head coach Jedd Fisch has an enormous task in front of him as UW heads to the Big Ten with the exact opposite program continuity. Fisch does have some things going for him. Washington has a supportive fan base with a strong NIL program and a history of producing good offenses that he can show to a recruit like KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Washington 2024 Win Total: 7.5
1. USC Trojans
KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the Penn State Nittany Lions in catches and receiving yards in 2023 and started more games than any other active Big Ten wide receiver. Lambert-Smith was the only Penn State receiver in 2023 to receive more than 250 yards. He is at his best in the slot but can also slide outside. Lambert-Smith is the top wide receiver available in the spring portal window, and the USC Trojans have emerged as a contender for his services. They could use additional wideouts and weapons to help Miller Moss, and Lambert-Smith has reciprocated interest with the Trojans and is looking to visit and hear Lincoln Riley’s pitch.

USC 2024 Win Total: 7.5