NCAAF · 1 year ago

College Football Transfer Portal Watch: Top 9 Available Players

Sportsgrid Staff

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9) S Myles Slusher, Colorado
After three seasons with Arkansas, Myles Slusher moved to Colorado last year, hoping for a fresh start under Deion Sanders. However, during his stint with the Buffaloes, Slusher experienced a downturn in his performance. This led him to enter the transfer portal once more as he seeks a team where he can rejuvenate his collegiate career. With his background in the SEC, Slusher is looking for a program that aligns better with his skill set and allows him to optimize his contributions on the field.

Colorado 2024 Win Total: 5.5
1) S Jacoby Mathews, Texas A&M Aggies
Jacoby Mathews, a standout safety from Texas A&M, started 12 games for the Aggies under Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies would have loved to keep Mathews as a critical piece of Mike Elko's defensive scheme in 2024. Known for his solid tackling and proficient coverage skills, Mathews has been a consistent force on the field. His 2023 stats—42 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended—he's only scratched the surface of his potential. As is always the case, a player with Mathews's experience at a Power Five school has no shortage of suitors, with programs eager to bolster their defenses with proven talent.

Texas A&M 2024 Win Total: 8.5
2) DT Johnny Bowens III, Oregon
Johnny Bowens III, a former four-star defensive tackle, has opted to enter the transfer portal, leaving the Oregon Ducks in pursuit of more snaps on the gridiron. Standing tall at 6’4” and 295 pounds, Bowens was heralded as the 206th top recruit nationally and the 23rd best defensive lineman in the 2023 class before donning the Oregon colors. His stint with the Ducks saw him hitting the field in just one game last season, where he managed to rack up a pair of tackles. Hailing from Converse, Texas, Bowens is looking to return to his roots. Landing in Austin with the Texas Longhorns wouldn’t come as a shock to those following his trajectory.

Oregon Ducks 2024 Win Total: 10.5
3) CB Sam McCall, Texas A&M
Cornerback Sam McCall experienced a challenging season at Texas A&M after transferring there before the 2023 campaign. His involvement was limited, as he appeared in only three games. McCall was thrust into action due to a spate of injuries that hit the Aggies' secondary, where he managed to record six tackles. Despite struggling to hold his own against top-tier talent, notably having a tough outing against LSU's standout receiver, Brian Thomas, these experiences are part of the learning curve.

Texas A&M 2024 Win Total: 8.5
4) LB Nigel Glover, Ohio State
Nigel Glover, a former four-star recruit, began his collegiate football journey at Northwestern, then transferred to Ohio State before the 2023 season as a true freshman. Despite the high hopes accompanying his move to Columbus, Glover found playing time elusive; he did not appear in any games for the Buckeyes in 2023. He was positioned behind at least four other linebackers on the depth chart, so his prospects within a strong Buckeyes defense looked limited as the team prepared for the 2024 season. Consequently, Glover has once again entered the transfer portal, seeking a third program where he can find the opportunity to showcase his talents on the field. Standing at 6'3", this linebacker continues his search for a new team where he can finally make a significant impact.

Ohio State 2024 Win Total: 10.5
5) WR Raymond Cottrell, Kentucky
Raymond Cottrell, a four-star recruit from the 2023 class, was widely regarded as a top-30 wide receiver when he committed to Texas A&M. This Florida native made a brief splash with the Aggies, featuring in three games and snagging a 13-yard touchdown in his only catch. However, the winds of change blew through College Station with a coaching shake-up, prompting Cottrell Jr. to head north to Kentucky. Despite participating in spring ball with the Wildcats, he didn’t stick around to play a game in Lexington and has since re-entered the transfer portal. Standing 6’3”, Cottrell had initially drawn interest from several programs, but SEC regulations now restrict his options, preventing a transfer to another SEC school during the spring window.

2024 Kentucky Win Total: 6.5
6) WR Karmello English, Michigan
Karmello English, a promising wide receiver, opted to enter the transfer portal after his freshman year at Michigan. English, who announced his intention to transfer in March and followed through in April, appeared in six games during the 2023 season. His contributions included a four-yard touchdown reception against Indiana. Coming out of high school as a four-star recruit, English had his pick of top programs, choosing Michigan over the likes of Alabama, Kentucky, and Auburn. Standing at 5'10", he primarily plays in the slot, bringing agility and precision to the position. His transfer is a blow to Michigan's depth at the wide receiver spot as they prepare for the 2024 season.

Michigan 2024 Win Total: 9.5
7) CB Adam Hopkins, Colorado
In the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, Deion Sanders made a monumental splash in 2023 by flipping four-star wideout Adam Hopkins from Auburn to Colorado. Hailing from Thomasville, Georgia, the 6'0" Hopkins, who showcased his skills at the 2023 Under Armour All-America Game, represented a marquee addition to Sanders's squad as he embarked on his groundbreaking tenure in Boulder.

However, after a freshman season where his primary contributions were on special teams and as a backup defensive back, Hopkins is on the move again. As we head into the 2024 season, he's leaving Colorado, still with four seasons of eligibility on the clock. The departure of such a high-profile recruit this early in Sanders's Colorado project definitely raises some eyebrows.

Colorado 2024 Win Total: 5.5
8) EDGE Kristopher Ross, Texas
Kristopher Ross, a formidable four-star recruit from the class of 2022, parted ways with the Texas program as of October 2023 and made his entry into the transfer portal this past December. During his tenure as a Longhorn, Ross graced the gridiron in a solitary outing as a true freshman, followed by three appearances in the 2023 campaign, where he tallied a single tackle against Rice. Standing at an imposing 6'2" and weighing 263 pounds, Ross fits the mold of a classic defensive end in the majority of defensive lineups. As of now, he remains on the market, uncommitted to any collegiate program.

Texas 2024 Win Total: 10.5
9) S Myles Slusher, Colorado
After three seasons with Arkansas, Myles Slusher moved to Colorado last year, hoping for a fresh start under Deion Sanders. However, during his stint with the Buffaloes, Slusher experienced a downturn in his performance. This led him to enter the transfer portal once more as he seeks a team where he can rejuvenate his collegiate career. With his background in the SEC, Slusher is looking for a program that aligns better with his skill set and allows him to optimize his contributions on the field.

Colorado 2024 Win Total: 5.5
1) S Jacoby Mathews, Texas A&M Aggies
Jacoby Mathews, a standout safety from Texas A&M, started 12 games for the Aggies under Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies would have loved to keep Mathews as a critical piece of Mike Elko's defensive scheme in 2024. Known for his solid tackling and proficient coverage skills, Mathews has been a consistent force on the field. His 2023 stats—42 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended—he's only scratched the surface of his potential. As is always the case, a player with Mathews's experience at a Power Five school has no shortage of suitors, with programs eager to bolster their defenses with proven talent.

Texas A&M 2024 Win Total: 8.5

College Football Transfer Portal Watch: Top 9 Available Players

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