Make no mistake about it, the college football transfer portal is NFL free agency at the NCAA level. In the spring portal window, there are top-commodity names with proven production such as Georgia DT Bear Alexander.
The freshman standout and former top-60 recruit is highly identifiable, and as he told ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, he chose to transfer to USC because “I wanted to be in a position where I could show my versatility as a player.”
What about the less heralded, under-the-radar free agents who become just as impactful? Who is the NFL’s version of Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick in this year’s portal? A change of scenery and positional scheme led to 16 sacks. He was the catalyst of a Super Bowl defense.
The spring transfer window opened on April 15 and will close Sunday. Big names have already entered and committed, but we still see great value in some under-the-radar prospects who might have been overlooked as high school prospects.
We start at the FCS level, where Shaquille Leonard and Cooper Kupp have proved that players can go from obscurity to the Pro Bowl if they are in an opportune situation.
coverage:
Ranking the spring portal’s top players
Transfer portal class rankings
Transfer takeaways and trends
Transferring from: Maine
HT: 6-3 | WT: 230 | Class: Junior
Edge rushers are a premium at the FBS level, and Manns is already attracting a lot of attention for his speed when tracking down quarterbacks. He posted 6.5 tackles for loss last season and four sacks despite constant double teams.
The New York native’s first step is explosive off the snap, and he closes with excellent burst and tenacity. He will likely be more of a situational pass-rusher rather than playing every down, as his leverage and overall power will be challenged against the run at the FBS level. Underdeveloped and underrecruited out of high school, Kansas and Colorado are the latest to offer the no-star high school prospect.
Transferring from: Rhode Island
HT: 6-1 | WT: 187 | Class: Sophomore
Carter is also a defensive player from the CAA who went unranked out of high school. Carter is from Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida, and like Manns, he was a game-changer at the FCS level. The scheme-versatile DB can play corner or safety in the back end or near the line of scrimmage.
He finished fourth on the team with 60 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs, one sack, one interception and 10 pass breakups. Against Pitt and QB Kedon Slovis, Carter posted four tackles and a pass breakup. Corners with his size who can set the edge against the run and lock down in man coverage are hard to find. FBS offers are consequently pouring in, including Kentucky and Baylor most recently.
Transferring from: Appalachian State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 285 | Class: Redshirt freshman
Everett had modest size for a guard out of high school, but we did like the aggressive nature he displayed finishing blocks. He pulled and blocked well to the second level but played in a run-heavy offense at Lord Botetourt in Virginia and lacked experience as a pass protector, yielding little Power 5 recruiting attention.
That has all changed. Arguably one of the top freshman performers last season on the interior, Everett allowed only one sack in over 250 pass-blocking snaps and helped lead a 288-yard rushing attack in his first start against UNC. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Everett made six starts at center and appeared in 10 games for the Mountaineers.
Transferring from: Utah State
HT: 6-2 | WT: 180 | Class: Freshman
Looking back, we undervalued Davenport coming out of high school. He threw for 7,433 yards and 77 touchdowns for Spring High School (Texas) while possessing good size and mobility (4.8-second 40-yard dash). Our junior season scouting report alluded to sound arm strength and accuracy on the move. Despite some inconsistencies mechanically, he possessed raw overall talent as a passer.
Davenport played in three games, including the First Responder Bowl against Memphis, in which he was 7-of-9 passing for 100 yards, including his first touchdown on a career-long 44-yard pass. There are still unrefined mechanics, but no doubt there is Power 5 talent to develop. Davenport was considered one of the jewels of Utah State’s 2022 recruiting class and is now in the 2023 transfer portal.
Transferring from: Georgia State
HT: 6-0 | WT: 276 | Class: Junior
Clark, one of the more dynamic defensive linemen in the portal, lacks height but is explosive at 276 pounds. Comparisons to former All-American and All-Pro Dwight Freeney are lofty, but Clark’s stature, quickness and versatility to create mismatches from different alignments are reminiscent.
We missed on Clark despite excellent production at the highest level in the competitive state of Georgia. At Georgia State, Clark has nine career sacks (top 10 in program history) and 19.5 tackles for a loss in three seasons. What he lacks in height and length, he makes up for with explosive burst and leverage. Clark has created more lateral Group of 5 opportunities thus far in the portal, but we feel Power 5 programs should take a closer look.
Transferring from: Tulsa
HT: 6-3 | WT: 307 | Class: Sophomore
As a high schooler, Muskrat was a 6-3, 278-pound two-star recruit whose only scholarship offer was from Tulsa. We evaluated him more as a defensive lineman and commented on his lack of mobility and quickness.
Three years and nearly 30 pounds later, the now-307-pound offensive tackle has entered the portal a veteran of 19 career games in three seasons with 12 starts. Muskrat has developed a Power 5 skill set in both the run and pass games. Moments after announcing his decision to enter the portal, he reported an offer from Auburn, where former Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery is offensive coordinator.
Transferring from: Fresno State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 215 | Class: Redshirt freshman
Henderson is raw but his physical abilities as a runner and passer are exciting. He’s a pure dual-threat QB with a strong arm on deep-to-intermediate throws and excellent mobility out of the pocket. We noted on his scouting report out of high school that the lefty had a compact over-the-top delivery with good zip. His ability to extend plays outside the pocket and threaten a defense was highlighted as well, as evidenced by a blazing 4.37-second shuttle time as a junior.
In two seasons at Fresno State, his production was limited — 5-of-8 passing for 49 yards and 66 yards rushing — but we saw enough in high school to project Power 5 success in the right system. Shortly after entering the portal, Texas A&M pulled the trigger and offered him a scholarship. Could Bobby Petrino, the new offensive coordinator in College Station, see a resemblance to another former Louisville dual-threat QB?
Transferring from: North Texas
HT: 6-4 | WT: 238 | Class: Freshman
Conference-USA coaches voted Robertson to the All-Freshman team, and it’s clear why. Robertson took advantage of his snaps in 14 games, posting 15 tackles, three TFLs and one sack. He also forced a fumble and had a pass breakup.
Coming out of Plano High School (Texas), Robertson was a steal with ideal size and speed (7.4-second L-drill); however, he held no Power 5 in-state offers. He was underdeveloped with his strike and power, but looking at North Texas tape, those areas have improved, as has his flexibility. He added 13 pounds to his long frame and maintained his quickness and closing speed. A new coach and defensive scheme might have ignited the move to the portal, but Robertson is an obvious choice at the Power 5 level.