Tracking CFB Players: QB Maalik Murphy flees Texas; Milroe stays with Bama
Action continues on a fast pace in the college football transfer portals. As of December 13th, 1,641 FBS players entered the portal, including some interesting quarterback talent.
As always, the focus is on quarterbacks and Nebraska coach Matt Rhule says the good ones come with a significan price tag -- $1-2 million per year.
“Make no mistake: A good quarterback in the portal costs $1 million to $1.5 million to $2 million right now,” Rhule said. old reporters .
Agents and reps confirmed to NFLDraftScout.com that high-profile transfer quarterbacks do indeed have asking prices in that range as everybody tries to leveral the hot NIL era for their own good. h asking prices in that range. And now that Rhule has said so publicly, the price is probably going up.
“The going rate for a guy who’s going to go in Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft is $1.5 million,” said one Power 5 team coach/recruiter.“This year, it might go to $2 million just because there’s less people and competition.”
In recent y ears the going rate for veteran transfer QBs who want to play one more season and boost their draft stock was closer to the $500,000 to $750,000 range. Blue-chip freshman transfers with big potential were able to get up to $1 million, a figured tied to quarterback Quinn Ewers who was said to get that much as a hot prep when he signed at Ohio State, then more than that when he transferred to Texas in 2022.
"Now all these kids are thinking they can get $1 million, and they probably can," said the coach.
Mulitple sources confirm that if a team wants one of the top quarterbacks, it will need to pay $1-2 million a year in this NIL-backed market, which is in line with what Rhule said. Remember, that includes the cost of keeping a quarterback from leaving via the transfer portal.
With that in mind, let ‘s take a look at the inventory.
Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy confirmed to NFLDraftScout.com that he entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining and will not play the College Football Playoff.
So Texas must suffer along with standout quarterback Quinn Ewers, unless he opts to enter the draft this year, although he will be only 21 on March 15 and could use another year of college experience.
If Ewers does enter the 2024 draft, Texas will have to suffer along with Arch Manning, the No. 1 2022 recruit.
"I hate it, I hate it," Murphy said Wednesday. "I'm super invested in this team. Everything that we've done along the way and all the work we've put in together. It's hard to walk away, especially at this point during the season."
Murphy started two games for Texas in 2023 when Ewers was sidelined with a shoulder injury, posting a 2-0 record. For his career, Murphy completed 56.3% of his passes for 477 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Two of his picks came in an overtime victory over No. 25 Kansas State, the then-reigning Big 12 champs.
The Inglewood, California, native was poised to compete for the starting quarterback job at Texas in 2024. However, multiple reports have indicated Ewers is contemplating a return to school instead of entering the NFL Draft. If Ewers returned, Murphy's pathway to the full-time starting job would get much more difficult as a talented Manning waits in the wings.
Murphy ranked among the top ten in the recruiting class of 2022. Manning and Ewers each ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in their respective classes. Murphy is 6-5, 235 with a powerful arm and above average running skills for his side.
Murphy is already one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the transfer portal. Last spring, multiple SEC schools and others from the Big Ten and Pac-12 reached out to gauge his interest in transferring out of his overcrowded quarterback room at Texas.
Coming out of high school, Murphy picked Texas over hometown UCLA. The Bruins could get back in the mix after losing former top-five national recruit Dante Moore to the transfer portal.
And what does Murphy say?
"A place where I can play," he said. Yea, we get it. Texas may be one of the few places he might be pushed down the depth chart. "Continue to get better and continue to be around great people and great players. And just do what's best for me and my career."
There are several top tier quarterback-hungry teams in the SEC. South Carolina is losing quarterback Spencer Rattler to the NFL Draft, while Auburn endured wildly inconsistent play in Hugh Freeze's first season. If Murphy wants to stay in Texas or the Big 12, Houston, UTSA, TCU and Baylor could all be looking for quarterback help.
Ewers is a lock to retain the starting job if he returns in 2024, with Manning next in line. Additionally, Texas has 3-star quarterback Trey Owens from Cy-Fair (Texas) High School committed in the Class of 2024.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe plans to return to school for his senior season after leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship and College Football Playoff appearance this year.
Milroe made the announcement Thursday on the "The Next Round" show. His father, Quentin Milroe, also told ESPN that his son is "focused on finishing this year" but that he told his parents he wants to return to Alabama for his senior season.
Milroe will graduate Saturday with a degree in business administration and minor in entrepreneurship, and he's been on campus only since January 2021 when he enrolled early as a freshman. His parents, Quentin and Lola Milroe, will be in Tuscaloosa for the graduation ceremonies. They have never missed one of Jalen's games or scrimmages at Alabama.
Milroe, a redshirt sophomore in eligibility, finished sixth this season in the Heisman Trophy voting. He was benched in Week 3 against South Florida after throwing two interceptions in the loss to Texas but returned to the lineup to lead Alabama to 11 straight wins. During that streak, he accounted for 28 touchdowns and turned the ball over just five times. He ranks third among Power 5 quarterbacks in passer rating (177.5), and Milroe and Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel are the only two Power 5 quarterbacks with 12 rushing touchdowns.
"We wouldn't be here without his transformation," Alabama coach Nick Saban told ESPN last month when discussing Milroe's development.
Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward will visit Florida State in the coming days for an official visit. Ward will get to Tallahassee on Thursday and stay in town through Saturday morning.
Head coach Mike Norvell will have a busy few days entertaining quarterbacks as Ward will not be the only one visiting. Oregon State‘s DJ Uiagalelei, who still hasn’t lived up to his high prep rating that he first took to Clemson. He is scheduled to make an official visit as well. The Seminoles are looking at all options to replace Jordan Travis heading into the 2024 season.
In 12 games this season with Wazzu, Ward threw for 3,736 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He added 144 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground as well.
Ward is one of the best players to enter the NCAA transfer portal thus far, being No. 2 in the On3 2024 Industry transfer portal rankings. He is viewed as the top quarterback in the cycle as well, the defensive lineman Walter Nolen being the only player ranked higher.
Former Oregon State quarterback Aidan Chiles is transferring to Michigan State, a move that reconnects him with new Spartans coach Jonathan Smith.
Chiles, from Southern California, visited in recent days and decided to commit to Smith, the coach who recruited him out of high school and for whom he played during a promising season at Oregon State in 2023.
Chiles is immediately eligible and has three years of eligibility remaining, giving an immediate offensive identity to Smith's tenure at Michigan State. Chiles will enroll immediately and arrive in early January.
With all of Michigan State's scholarship quarterbacks entering the transfer portal, Chiles' commitment gives Smith a bedrock player to build around and pitch recruits to play with. Chiles pointed out his affinity for Smith and the staff, familiarity with the offensive system, and the "bigger stage" offered by the Big Ten as reasons for his choice.
Chiles, who turned 18 in September, didn't start any games for Oregon State this season. But he played well enough after enrolling in January to beat out veteran Ben Gulbranson for the backup quarterback job and push starter DJ Uiagalelei for playing time.
Maryland landed its future quarterback.
NC State transfer quarterback MJ Morris committed to the Terrapins. The former three-star recruit visited College Park last week. With Maryland expecting to lose Taulia Tagovailoa to the NFL draft, landing an experienced quarterback in the portal was a must for Mike Locksley.
Morris also received heavy interest from LSU. Quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan made the trip up to North Carolina to visit with Morris.
The quarterback picked Maryland, though. He completed 58 percent of his passes while throwing for more than 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons with the Wolfpack. He played in five games as a true freshman and four as a sophomore. MJ Morris went 3-1 as a starter this season for NC State.
The redshirt freshman led NC State to a win over Clemson this season, completing 11 of 20 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns in a win against Marshall.
Morris will be able to play immediately for Maryland. He’ll be the projected starter entering this spring. The Terps are coming of a 7-5 regular season that saw them finish 4-5 in Big Ten play. With Big Ten expansion coming, Maryland will host USC and visit Oregon in 2024.
Wisconsin once again reached into the transfer portal to find a starting quarterback.
Former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, a three-year starter, announced his decision to transfer to Wisconsin on Tuesday. The move means a transfer will be the likely starter in Madison for the second-straight season after former SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai led the offense in 2023.
Van Dyke, the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year, has played under different offensive coordinators in each of the past three seasons. And will do so again in 2024 with Phil Longo’s Air Raid system.
Van Dyke appeared on his way to superstardom after the 2021 season in which he had 2,931 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, but he struggled mightily under former Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis in 2022,
He bounced back in 2023, completing a career-high 65.8 percent of his passes for 2,703 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, but Miami finished the regular season 7-5.
Van Dyke will battle fellow transfers Braedyn Locke (Mississippi State) and Nick Evers (Oklahoma) for the starting job in 2024.
The Badgers, who posted an underwhelming 7-5 record this season, are set to face LSU in the Reliaquest Bowl in Tampa. Kickoff is set for noon on Jan. 1.
Van Dyke’s first chance to start will be in the 2024 opener against Western Michigan on Aug. 31.
Chandler Rogers will spend his final year of eligibility at California as a graduate transfer after a just one season at North Texas. The former Louisiana-Monroe quarterback was one of the most productive passers in the FBS this season with 3,382 yards and 29 touchdowns against only five interceptions, while completing 62.2% of his pass attempts. Rogers finished in the top 10 nationally in passing touchdowns and the top 20 in passing yards during his lone season with the Mean Green.
Deion Sanders and Colorado were already active in the transfer portal looking to improve the stock of its offensive line, adding Justin Mayers as one of six new commits this past weekend. The left guard from UTEP played a team-high 811 snaps this season, allowing just one sack and nine pressures on 402 pass-blocking opportunities. The 6-foot-3, 309-pound redshirt junior was a starter for two seasons with the Miners.
Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman is opting out of the team's upcoming appearance in the Sun Bowl and will begin preparing for the NFL draft.
A team spokeswoman confirmed the decision to ESPN after Hartman released a lengthy video on Instagram earlier Monday detailing his college football journey, which began at Wake Forest.
"To college football: You've been my world for as long as I can remember -- dreaming as a kid of the big games, taking the field with thousands of fans screaming my name," Hartman said in his post. "Although some games didn't go my way and some moments left unsettled, I cherish you and the memories you allowed me to create through hardship and defeat, mentors and lessons, and unselfish teammates that helped guide me along the way.
"Although my journey of football is not yet finished, a part of me will always be with you. Thank you for allowing me to stick around and I hope you had as much fun as I did."
Backup quarterback Steve Angeli, a second-year player, is set to start for No. 16 Notre Dame against No. 19 Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 29 in El Paso, Texas.
Angeli had 272 passing yards and four touchdowns with an interception in five games this season.
Hartman had 2,689 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his lone season at Notre Dame. He finishes his college career with 15,656 passing yards, 134 touchdowns and 49 interceptions.
Hartman set the ACC career touchdown passes record at Wake Forest (110) and moved into fourth place on the FBS career list. He earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2022 and was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award this year.
Notre Dame junior offensive tackle Joe Alt declared for the 2024 NFL draft, announcing his decision on social media.
Alt will not be playing in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Oregon State on Dec. 29, joining quarterback Sam Hartman as high-profile offensive opt-outs for the 16th-ranked Fighting Irish (9-3).
"What a ride it has been! From wearing 45 as a tight end to wearing 76 as a left tackle, I'm truly grateful for all the memories at this university and all the friends made on and off the field," Alt wrote on X. "I want to thank God for the abilities He has blessed me with and the opportunities he presented me with here at Notre Dame."
The 6-foot-8, 322-pound Alt -- ranked 15th overall on Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board -- was a finalist for the Lombardi Award this season and was named an AP first-team All-American earlier this week for a second straight season.
Alt started 33 consecutive games at left tackle for Notre Dame. Its offense is 29th in the FBS in total offense (429.2 YPG) heading into its game against Oregon State. Alt comes from strong bloodlines, as his father, John, was drafted 21st overall as an offensive tackle by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984.
FOLLOWING MORE PLAYERS IN FAST AND FURIOUS ACTION
Mason Garcia
Commits to Austin Peay
December 14, 2023
Garcia announced his commitment to Austin Peay on Wednesday.
FACTS: Garcia will be part of a non-FBS team during 2024. However, Austin Peay's team is expected to maximize his statistical output, which can indicate how well he operates as a primary quarterback. Garcia can earn a move back to the FBS and have a better role upon his return, though that will depend on his output at APSU during 2024.
WR Elijah Downing
Enters transfer portal
December 14, 2023
Downing has entered the transfer portal, according to his announcement Wednesday.
FACTS:
While enrolled at Louisville, Downing logged a reception each season between 2021 and 2023. However, the one catch was all he recorded every year. Instead of accepting a bare minimum again, Downing will consider transferring college
QB Maalik Murphy
Expected to enter transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Murphy intends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.
FACTS: Murphy will enter the transfer portal after one season with the Longhorns. The redshirt freshman quarterback made six appearances this season, completing 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. The 6-foot-5 signal-caller should generate multiple suitors.
QB Jayden Maiava
Still on active roster for UNLV
December 13, 2023
Maiava remains listed on UNLV's active roster ahead of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl versus Kansas, Mike Grimala of the Las Vegas Sun reports.
FACTS: While an initial report indicated Maiava is expected to enter the transfer portal, there's been no confirmation on that front at this point. The redshirt freshman may end up playing in the bowl game and then transfer after that, but it seems as though he's at least slated to head the offense for the Runnin' Rebels' bowl game versus the Jayhawks. Maiava has pieced together a solid season in 2023, completing 63.0 percent of his 319 pass attempts for 2,802 yards and a 14:8 TD:INT ratio while rushing 69 times for 261 yards and another three scores.
QB MJ Morris
Commits to Maryland
December 13, 2023
Morris has committed to joining Maryland, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.
FACTS: After two seasons with North Carolina State, Morris will be getting a fresh start with Maryland. The sophomore quarterback took a redshirt during 2023 and will have three years of eligibility remaining. Across both seasons, he completed 115 of 199 passes (57.8 percent) for 1,367 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions while also carrying the ball 81 times for 103 yards and one score.
RB Jawhar Jordan
Declares for NFL Draft
PRO DRAFT PREP
December 13, 2023
Jordan announced Wednesday that he will be declaring for 2024 NFL Draft.
The 5-foot-10 running back spent one season with Syracuse before transferring and playing out three seasons with the Cardinals. Jordan was an important contributor of the offense during the 2023 season, totaling 181 carries for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns while also reeling in 21 receptions for 246 yards and one score.
TE Tyler Fromm
Commits to Georgia Southern
December 13, 2023
Fromm has committed to joining Georgia Southern, Brian Stultz of Rivals.com reports.
FACTS: Fromm will join the Eagles after three seasons with Auburn. The senior tight end recorded three receptions for 21 yards this season.
K Tyler Keltner
Enters transfer portal
TRANSFER PORTAL
December 13, 2023
Keltner announced Monday that he will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
FACTS: After one year with FSU, Keltner will look to finish his college career at a new program. The senior kicker did not attempt any field goals but did make the only extra point kick he attempted during the 2023 season.
QB Drew Pyne
Returns to Notre Dame, not playing
December 13, 2023
Pyne will return to Notre Dame but will not play football, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.
FACTS: Pyne will make his return to Notre Dame after spending one season at Arizona State. The redshirt sophomore quarterback does not plan on playing football during spring and will focus on finishing his academic studies prior to moving on to a new program once graduated.
TE Fernando Garza
Enters transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Garza announced Wednesday that he will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
FACTS: Garza will enter the portal after two season with Texas A&M. The sophomore tight end played 11 snaps on offense but failed to record an offensive stat.
QB Kellen Simoncic
Commits to Kansas State
December 13, 2023
Simoncic announced Wednesday that he has committed to joining Kansas State.
FACTS: Simoncic will join the Wildcats with two years of eligibility remaining after missing most of 2023 due to injury. In 2022, he completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,393 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
WR Jordan Brown
Questionable vs. California
WR Texas Tech
HAMSTRING
December 13, 2023
Coach Joey McGuire indicated Wednesday that Brown (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's game against California, Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports.
FACTS: Brown's availability for the Independence Bowl will be determined throughout the week. The junior wide receiver totaled 22 receptions for 256 yards and one touchdown across nine games played.
WR Trayvon Rudolph
Staying at Northern Illinois
December 13, 2023
Rudolph announced Wednesday that he will be returning to Northern Illinois.
FACTS: Rudolph was expected to switch schools for the final year in college but has now made a surprise return to the Huskies. The redshirt junior wide receiver has totaled 111 receptions for 1,625 yards and nine touchdowns across three seasons at Northern Illinois.
WR Caleb Douglas
Commits to Texas Tech
December 13, 2023
Douglas has committed to joining Texas Tech, On3.com reports.
FACTS: After two seasons with the Gators, Douglas will get a fresh start with the Red Rangers. The sophomore wide receiver was only able to make five appearances this season, totaling 11 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown.
WR Ashton Cozart
Commits to SMU
December 13, 2023
Cozart announced Wednesday that he has committed to joining SMU.
FACTS: After one season with Oregon, Cozart will get a fresh start with the Mustangs for the upcoming season. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver did not record an offensive stat for the Ducks in 2023.
RB Miles Davis
Will return to BYU
December 13, 2023
Davis has withdrawn from the NCAA Transfer Portal and will return to BYU, Jay Drew of Deseret News reports.
FACTS: A day after starting running back Aidan Robbins announced he is declaring for the NFL Draft, Davis announced he will be returning to the Cougars after a short stint on the portal. The 6-foot ball-carrier finished the 2023 season with 16 carries for 78 yards but will hopefully get a bigger opportunity now that Robbins will be gone.
WR Ja'Mori Maclin
Commits to Kentucky
December 13, 2023
Maclin has committed to joining Kentucky, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.
FACTS: Maclin will join the Wildcats after spending the last two seasons with North Texas. The 5-foot-11 wide receiver finished the 2023 campaign with 57 receptions for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns.
WR Malik Bowen-Sims
In transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Bowen-Sims is in the transfer portal, Adam Rowe of 247Sports.com reports.
FACTS: Having only one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, Bowen-Sims will consider transferring colleges to maximize his statistical output during 2024. The wide receiver logged 13 receptions for 107 yards across four seasons in which he was enrolled at Duke.
WR Jayden McGowan
Commits to South Carolina
December 13, 2023
McGowan announced Wednesday that he has committed to join South Carolina.
FACTS: McGowan will join the Gamecock after playing two seasons oin Vanderbilt. The sophomore wide receiver finished his 2023 campaign with 36 receptions for 383 yards.
TE Benjamin Yurosek
Enters transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Yurosek has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, Mike Farrell of MikeFarrellSports.com reports.
FACTS: Yurosek will enter the transfer portal after playing four seasons with Stanford. The senior tight end finished the 2023 season with 16 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown across six appearances.
WR Sebastian Brown
Enters transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Brown announced Wednesday that he has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
FACTS: Brown will enter the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver made one appearance this season but did not record an offensive stat.
WR Kobe Paysour
Set to play in bowl game
December 13, 2023
Paysour (foot) will be available for North Carolina's bowl game against West Virginia, Rivals.com reports.
FACTS: Paysour hasn't appeared in a contest since Week 6 following a fractured foot suffered in practice, but it appears the additional rest time ahead of the team's bowl game will allow him to recover enough to rejoin the fold. The sophomore wideout collected 22 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns on 29 targets over five games this season, but he'll be catching passes from a new quarterback after Drake Maye declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
TE Tanner Koziol
Commits to Louisville
December 13, 2023
Koziol announced his commitment to Louisville on Wednesday.
FACTS: Koziol will challenge himself by transferring from Ball State to Louisville. He not only joins a Power Five Conference but also must compete against serviceable options like Mark Redman and Nate Kurisky. However, Koziol has a lot to be confident about. He logged 688 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns while enrolled at Ball State for two seasons.
RB Raheim Sanders
Commits to South Carolina
December 13, 2023
Sanders is expected to transfer to South Carolina, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.
FACTS: After spending three seasons with Arkansas, the junior running back will be joining the Gamecocks. Sanders' 2023 season was marred with injury, which held to just six appearances while finishing with a career-low in all rushing categories. The 2022 season was his best year with the Razorbacks as he totaled 222 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns while also reeling in 28 receptions for 271 yards and two more scores. The 6-foot-2 ball-carrier is expected to be a key contributor in this offense.
WR Joe Wilkins
Not listed on depth chart
December 13, 2023
Wilkins is not listed on the depth chart for Miami (OH)'s bowl game Saturday against Appalachian State.
FACTS: Wilkins was a starter on Miami (OH)'s previous depth charts, so his omission from the team's latest chart is a surprise. For now, it seems he will not participate in the Cure Bowl come Saturday.
WR Anthony Queeley
Not listed on depth chart
December 13, 2023
Queeley (undisclosed) is not listed on the depth chart for Georgia Southern's bowl game Saturday against Ohio.
FACTS: Queeley not being on Georgia Southern's updated depth chart suggests he will be out when the team plays its bowl game Saturday. The wide receiver is expected to be a healthy scratch, considering he has been available for every other game Southern's team has played in 2023.
WR Jymetre Hester
In transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Hester is in the transfer portal, Rivals.com reports.
FACTS: Hester, the son of notable ex-NFL return specialist Devin Hester, will consider a transfer away from Florida Atlantic after playing fewer than 10 games across college football's last two seasons.
QB Grayson McCall
Commits to NC State
December 13, 2023
McCall committed to North Carolina State on Wednesday, On3.com reports.
FACTS: North Carolina State wanted a proven quarterback to replace redshirt senior Brennan Armstrong. Though 2023 is statistically McCall's worst year, the limited QB still completed 67.4 percent of 224 passes for 1,919 yards and 10 touchdowns across his seven games. McCall excelled as an underclassman enrolled at Coastal Carolina. He logged more than 2,500 passing yards and 30 total TDs each year from 2020 to 2022.
RB Evan Pryor
Commits to Cincinnati
December 13, 2023
Pryor announced his commitment to Cincinnati on Wednesday.
FACTS: Pryor will enroll at another Ohio college but one whose football program is trying to replenish its group of running backs. Myles Montgomery, Ethan Wright and Stephan Byrd entered the transfer portal. Ryan Montgomery no longer has collegiate eligibility. Even if Corey Kiner continues to be enrolled at Cincinnati, Pryor can receive many opportunities available from the Bearcats losing most of their running backs.
RB Jaden Nixon
Enters transfer portal
December 13, 2023
Nixon has entered the transfer portal, Steve Samra of On3.com reports.
FACTS: Nixon is considering transferring colleges after three seasons with Oklahoma State. From 2021 to 2023, the running back logged 817 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns.
RB Oscar Adaway
Joining the Gamecocks
December 12, 2023
Adaway has committed to South Carolina for the 2024 season, Brandon Dunn of ABC 15 Florence reports.
FACTS: Adaway will make the jump to a power-five program, securing a quick commitment to South Carolina for the upcoming season. The 5-foot-10 junior was a standout ball carrier with North Texas, posting 122 carries for 738 yards and six touchdowns, to go along with 14 receptions for 89 receiving yards in 2023.
WR Isaiah Jones
Enters transfer portal
December 12, 2023
Jones has entered the transfer portal, Rivals.com reports.
FACTS: This is as good a time as any for Jones to consider all available options to him. He has only one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, and 2023 was his best year yet.
WR Ali Jennings
Returning to school
FOOT
December 12, 2023
Jennings will rejoin Virginia Tech for the 2024 season, Andy Bitter of Tech Sidelines reports.
FACTS:Jennings will utilize his fifth year of collegiate eligibility and rejoin the Hokies for a second-and-final season. The 6-foot-2 senior tallied five receptions for 72 yards in Virginia Tech's opener against Old Dominion, but he missed the remainder of the 2023 season with a foot injury.
WR Stephen Gosnell
Returning in 2024
December 12, 2023
Gosnell will return to Virginia Tech for a third-and-final season in 2024, Andy Bitter of Tech Sidelines reports.
FACTS: Gosnell is one of four wideouts to have announced that they will rejoin the Hokies for the upcoming season. The 6-foot-2 senior appeared in 11 games this season, tallying 22 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
TE Mark Redman
Commits to Louisville
December 12, 2023
Redman announced Tuesday that he has committed to join Louisville.
FACTS: Redman played two seasons with San Diego State and will now be taking his talents to the Cardinals. The senior tight end finished the 2023 season with a career-high 36 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns.
WR Jeremiah Dillon
Enters transfer portal
December 12, 2023
Dillon has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.
Dillon will enter the transfer portal after one season. The freshman wide receiver did not log an offensive stat this year.
QB Maddox Kopp
Eligibile for Cure Bowl
TRANSFER PORTAL
December 12, 2023
Kopp will be eligible for the Cure Bowl against Appalachian State, Jack Schmelzinger of Miami Student reports.
FACTS: Although Kopp will be eligible for the bowl game, Henry Hasson will be starting for Miami (OH). The redshirt sophomore will handle backup duties.
RB Ike Daniels
Enters transfer portal
December 12, 2023
Daniels announced Tuesday that he will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
FACTS: Daniels will look for a fresh start after playing one season with Syracuse. The freshman running back totaled 18 carries for 103 yards across four games this season.
QB Tyler Van Dyke
Commits to Wisconsin
December 12, 2023
Van Dyke announced Tuesday that he has committed to join Wisconsin.
FACTS: Van Dyke will get a fresh start after spending the last four seasons with Miami (FL) . The redshirt junior completed 219 of 333 passes (65.8 percent) for 2,703 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 11 games during the 2023 season.
WR Porter Rooks
Commits to Eastern Michigan
December 12, 2023
Rooks announced Tuesday that he has committed to Eastern Michigan.
FACTS: Rooks will join Eastern Michigan after four seasons with NCSU. The junior wide receiver totaled 13 receptions for 166 yards during the 2023 season.
WR Solomon Davis
Commits to Central Michigan
December 12, 2023
Davis announced his commitment to Central Michigan on Tuesday.
FACTS: Davis transferred to Central Michigan from Valparaiso. While enrolled there, he logged 96 receptions for 1,446 yards and 10 touchdowns. 2023 was Davis' best year yet. He recorded 731 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns across his 11 games then.
TE Alex Bauman
Enters transfer portal
December 12, 2023
Bauman has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, Mike Farrell of MikeFarrellSports.com reports.
FACTS: Bauman will enter the transfer portal after two seasons with Tulane. The sophomore tight end finished the 2023 season with 33 receptions for 273 yards and five touchdowns.
RB Jawhar Jordan
Considered a game-time decision
December 12, 2023
Jordan (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for the Holiday Bowl matchup against USC, Matt McGavic of SI.com reports.
FACTS: Jordan suffered an injury during the ACC Championship Game, deeming his status as questionable for the game against the Trojans. The redshirt junior running back has been an important part of this offense, finishing with 181 carries for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
Cole Lanter
Enters transfer portal
December 12, 2023
Lanter has. entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, Aaron Gershon of 247Sports.com reports.
FACTS: Lanter will enter the transfer portal after two seasons with Kentucky. The sophomore wide receiver logged eight snaps on offense this season.
WR Emeka Egbuka
Available for bowl game
December 12, 2023
Egbuka is available for Ohio State's bowl game against Missouri on Dec. 29, Dan Hope of ElevenWarriors.com reports.
FACTS: Ohio State's team will maintain one of its top wideouts for the Missouri game. Egbuka has 35 receptions for 452 yards (12.9 averaged per reception) and four touchdowns across 2023. After the bowl game, he is expected to make a decision on his future football career.
WR Taj Davis
No longer part of Cal program
December 12, 2023
Davis is no longer part of California's football program, Rivals.com reports.
FACTS: California's head coach Justin Wilcox said Davis is among multiple players who have "moved on" from the Cal program. Nothing else is known, especially whether he has entered the transfer portal or suddenly quit football altogether. Ideally, more is known concerning Davis' status as the transfer portal continues to be busy with action.
QB Carter Bradley
Still in recovery stage
KNEE
December 12, 2023
Bradley (knee) continues to recover from his injury without much improvement in progress, Creg Stephenson of AL.com reports.
FACTS: It is not great news that there is a lack of positive progress publicized about Bradley's knee injury. Still, South Alabama's team has more than a week before it plays against Eastern Michigan for a bowl game on Dec. 23. Perhaps within the next week, Bradley's availability status can steadily improve, leaving his status questionable for the time being.
RB Kentrel Bullock
Expected to be available for bowl
South Alabama
December 12, 2023
Bullock (undisclosed) is expected to be available for South Alabama's bowl game against Eastern Michigan on Dec. 23, Creg Stephenson of AL.com reports.
FACTS: Bullock being available for South Alabama's bowl game would give the team a much-needed No. 1 running back without La'Damian Webb, who has declared for the NFL Draft. Bullock is less than 10 scrimmage yards away from reaching 500 in that category across 2023.
QB Henry Hesson
Starting quarterback for bowl game
QBMiami (OH)
December 12, 2023
Hesson will be the starting quarterback for Miami (OH)'s bowl game Saturday against Appalachian State, Jack Schmelzinger of The Miami Student reports.
FACTS: Miami (OH) lost Brett Gabbert and Aveon Smith to a leg injury and the transfer portal, respectively. So without them available, Hesson is the team's next man up at quarterback. The sophomore has not logged an in-game pass since 2022, when he logged two completions for 37 yards.
RB Jaivian Thomas
Practicing again/ Cal
December 12, 2023
Thomas (undisclosed) is able to participate in California's team practices again, Write For California reports.
FACTS: Ideally for Thomas, him being able to practice again bodes well for his chances of participating in California's bowl game. He has about half a week to recover before the Golden Bears play against Texas Tech on Saturday.
RB Isaiah Ifanse
Currently day-to-day / Ca;
December 12, 2023
Ifanse (undisclosed) is currently day-to-day, Write for California reports.
FACTS: California will monitor Ifanse on a daily basis before the team's bowl game. He has approximately half a week to recover before the Bears play against Texas Tech on Saturday.
RB Aidan Robbins
BYU/Declares for NFL Draft
December 12, 2023
Robbins has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, according to his announcement Tuesday.
FACTS: Robbins will forgo his remaining season of collegiate eligibility to turn pro. Robbins' output somewhat slipped during 2023, a year in which the running back still finished with 101 carries for 485 yards and one touchdown. Robbins will bank on NFL teams to believe in his 2022 output, when he logged 209 carries for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns for UNLV.
TE Ben Sinnott
Declares for NFL Draft/ K ST.
December 12, 2023
Sinnott has declared for the NFL Draft, according to his announcement Tuesday.
FACTS: This was as good a time as any for Sinnott to declare for the NFL Draft. He has only one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, and this was his last chance to turn pro by choice. Sinnott excelled during 2023 as well. He finished the year with 49 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs.
QB TJ Finley
Available for bowl game
QB Texas State
December 12, 2023
Finley is available for Texas State's bowl game against Rice on Dec. 26, Keff Ciardello of the Austin American-Statesman reports.
FACTS: Once again, Finley is expected to play at least one more time for Texas State. That is welcome news for Texas State, who will look to benefit from Finley's November momentum. He finished the month having completed nearly 70 percent of his 125 passes for 1,084 yards and nine touchdowns.
RB Carson Steele
Does not practice Tuesday/UCLA
December 12, 2023
Steele (undisclosed) did not participate in UCLA's team practice Tuesday, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
FACTS: Tuesday marks the second consecutive day during which Steele was not seen practicing. He still has about half a week to decide on his availability for UCLA's bowl game Saturday against Boise State.
WR Andre Johnson
Enters transfer portal
December 12, 2023
Johnson has entered the transfer portal, On3.com reports.
FACTS: No, not the semifinalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. No relation. Having only one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, Johnson will consider all his available options. While enrolled at Arizona State for five years, he logged 32 receptions for 384 yards and two touchdowns.
WR Brannon Spector
Expected to play in bowl game/Clemson
December 12, 2023
Spector (undisclosed) is expected to participate in the Tigers' bowl game against Kentucky on Dec. 29, SportsTalk Media Network reports.
FACTS: Spector's availability continues to improve as the Tigers prepare for their bowl game. If the wide receiver can go on Dec. 29, he can ideally finish off his 2023 season positively after a campaign muddled by injuries.
WR Antonio Williams
Should be available for bowl
FOOT
December 12, 2023
Clemson's head coach Dabo Swinney said Williams (foot) should be available for the Tigers' bowl game against Kentucky on Dec. 29.
FACTS: Williams sat out Clemson's last five games because of a foot injury. But if Swinney's words ring true, the Tigers are expected to add a significant boost to their receiver corps come Dec. 29. Williams has played four games but excelled in them with 17 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns. However, his availability is not ensured. Swinney did not fully confirm that Williams was available, and him not participating in the bowl game would preserve a potentially valuable redshirt season.
RB Will Shipley
Available for bowl game/ Clemson
December 12, 2023
Shipley is available for Clemson's bowl game against Kentucky on Dec. 29, Marc Whiteman of WYFF News 4 reports.
FACTS: When asked about Shipley's availability for the Gator Bowl, Clemson's head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed that the running back would be available. Clemson's team will have its best rusher to close out 2023, a year during which he has logged 798 rushing yards thus far.