NCAAF · 1 year ago

Predicting Landing Spots for the Top 10 Available Players in the CFB Transfer Portal

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) WR Johntay Cook II, Texas
Johntay Cook II committed to Texas as a five-star recruit out of high school. In two seasons with the Longhorns, the wideout has struggled to make an impact at the level of his potential. After frustrations grew, Cook found himself off the team and entered the transfer portal before the season ended. Nonetheless, the talent is there. Now, it's just about finding the right team to bring it out.

Prediction: Florida

Year: Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years
1) WR Zachariah Branch, USC
Zachariah Branch quickly rose to the top of available playmakers when he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. The former five-star recruit will have plenty of options, but the Georgia Bulldogs' heavy pursuit of him and his twin brother Zion Branch could give UGA the upper hand.

Prediction: Georgia

Year: Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Top 5 Landing Spots for WR Zachariah Branch in the CFB Transfer Portal
2) WR Kevin Concepcion, NC State
Kevin Concepcion is another talented wide receiver on the market who garners interest from top teams. The wideout has plenty of suitors, but his recent conversations with Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels feel like momentum for Concepcion to stay in his home state.

Prediction: North Carolina

Year: Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Top 5 Landing Spots for WR Kevin Concepcion in the Transfer Portal
3) WR Dane Key, Kentucky
Since entering the transfer portal, Dane Key has emerged as a top candidate for multiple top teams. The playmaker flourished in his time with Kentucky despite the team's struggles on offense. Nonetheless, with Kirby Smart and Georgia heavily pursuing the wideout, it could make sense for him to stay in the SEC to compete for a national championship.

Prediction: Georgia

Year: Junior

Eligibility Left: 1 year

Top 5 Landing Spots for WR Dane Key in the CFB Transfer Portal
4) QB Fernando Mendoza, California
Fernando Mendoza put together an impressive season at California this past year, and he's quickly gained interest from quarterback-needy teams. Although Mendoza has been pursued by Georgia, the Indiana Hoosiers' recent run for the quarterback may be enough to persuade him to join the Big Ten over the SEC as Curt Cignetti looks to find his quarterback for next season.

Prediction: Indiana

Year: Redshirt Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Top 5 Landing Spots for QB Fernando Mendoza in the Transfer Portal
5) CB Tacario Davis, Arizona
Tacario Davis is the one player on this list whose recruitment seems open. The talented defender hasn't set any visits up and spent most of the last offseason in the transfer portal before withdrawing late. However, his fit in the SEC on Mike Elko's defense is the one spot that stands out when thinking about where Davis should go.

Prediction: Texas A&M

Year: Junior

Eligibility Left: 1 year

Top 5 Landing Spots for CB Tacario Davis in the CFB Transfer Portal
6) RB Justice Haynes, Alabama
Justice Haynes has gathered plenty of interest in the transfer portal since entering after Alabama's season ended. The talented running back didn't get the opportunity to show how big of an impact he could have on offense with the Crimson Tide, but multiple teams believe that what he did show was enough for them to go all-in on the pursuit of Haynes. Recent reports suggest that South Carolina and Michigan are frontrunners for the running back, but considering the Gamecocks nearly landed him out of high school, it wouldn't be a shock to see him stay in the SEC.

Prediction: South Carolina

Year: Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Top 5 Landing Spots for RB Justice Haynes in the CFB Transfer Portal
7) DL David Gusta, Washington State
David Gusta emerged as a star in his time with Washington State. The talented defensive lineman proved to be a disruptor for the Cougars in the trenches, and he'll bring the same impact and more to whichever team lands him.

Prediction: Michigan

Year: Redshirt Junior

Eligibility Left: 1 year
8) EDGE Eric O'Neill, James Madison
Eric O'Neill emerged as a premier pass rusher in his first season of D1 football with James Madison. The dominant edge rusher will likely have interest from multiple top teams, but his next move is unknown. However, with his production, seeing him land with a top team won't be a shock. Nonetheless, with players seemingly lining up to play for Bill Belichick, O'Neill seems like he could use his last year of eligibility to get NFL-ready.

Prediction: North Carolina

Year: Redshirt Junior

Eligibility Left: 1 year
9) IOL Luke Petitbon, Wake Forest
Luke Petitbon is a more recent interest to the transfer portal, but the talented lineman won't take long to gain interest. With experience as a starter and versatility as a lineman, the center should find a home quickly, especially as teams continue to look for ways to bolster their depth in the trenches.

Prediction: Virginia

Year: Redshirt Junior

Eligibility Left: 1 year
10) WR Johntay Cook II, Texas
Johntay Cook II committed to Texas as a five-star recruit out of high school. In two seasons with the Longhorns, the wideout has struggled to make an impact at the level of his potential. After frustrations grew, Cook found himself off the team and entered the transfer portal before the season ended. Nonetheless, the talent is there. Now, it's just about finding the right team to bring it out.

Prediction: Florida

Year: Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years
1) WR Zachariah Branch, USC
Zachariah Branch quickly rose to the top of available playmakers when he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. The former five-star recruit will have plenty of options, but the Georgia Bulldogs' heavy pursuit of him and his twin brother Zion Branch could give UGA the upper hand.

Prediction: Georgia

Year: Sophomore

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Top 5 Landing Spots for WR Zachariah Branch in the CFB Transfer Portal

Predicting Landing Spots for the Top 10 Available Players in the CFB Transfer Portal

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