By Tony Thomas
With less than a week left in the ahem, “organized” chaos that is the transfer portal, many teams have upgraded their rosters considerably, and none more than the Ole Miss Rebels.
The #1 team in the transfer portal rankings, the Rebels have significantly upgraded their defense going into 2024. So much so that Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding is doing cartwheels in the Grove.
Over in Austin, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns have talented additions arriving in time for spring practice, including an all-conference Edge Defender of the Year.
DL Walter Nolen
Ole Miss Rebels (from Texas A&M)
6’4”, 290 lbs.
As the #1 DL prospect in the portal, Walter Nolen is a former 5-star and #2 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class. In 2023, Nolen registered 37 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, and is a huge addition for an Ole Miss team that has secured commitments from four of the Top 15 players in the portal.
🚨TRANSFER COMMIT🚨
Former #Texas A&M EDGE Walter Nolen has announced he has committed to #OleMiss!
Another Amazing Grab for Lane Kiffin and the Rebel team🔥 pic.twitter.com/90kdOMDeGX
— SportsCastProductions (@SportsCastProd) December 24, 2023
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Nolen is versatile enough to play inside or outside and will join Tyler Baron (from Tennessee) and Prince Umanmielen (from Florida) on what looks to be a very talented defensive line going into 2024.
Edge Trey Moore
Texas Longhorns (from UTSA)
6’3”, 235 lbs.
A first-team All-AAC selection and the AAC Edge Defender of the Year, Trey Moore was a human wrench in the works of opposing offenses.
Moore racked up 45 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks (#3 nationally) in 2023 after recording 59 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2022. Those numbers would have been good enough to lead the Longhorns.
Trey Moore going #BACK2BACK! #210TriangleOfToughness#LetsGo210 | #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/7l2xsosiwn
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) November 12, 2023
Moore is an outstanding disruptor who consistently wins the battle of the line of scrimmage coming off the edge. Combine Moore with current Longhorn defenders Ethan Burke, Anthony Hill Jr., and incoming freshman Colin Simmons, and the Longhorns will have a talented defensive line as they begin play in the SEC in 2024.
RB Trevor Etienne
Georgia Bulldogs (from Florida)
5’9”, 205 lbs.
As the #1 running back prospect in the transfer portal, Trevor Etienne is taking his ball-carrying skills between the hedges in Athens, Ga.
Etienne, the brother of former Clemson standout Travis Etienne, rushed for 753 yards and eight touchdowns for the Florida Gators in 2023. He rushed for 172 yards in a 29-16 win over Tennessee and scored three rushing touchdowns in a loss at LSU.
Welcome to the family Trevor Etienne. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/foa7tRuOi5
— James Dukes. (@James_dukes12) December 24, 2023
Etienne is a versatile athlete who can also run back punts and kicks and has gained 1,472 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in his SEC career. He will provide depth and experience to what will be a young and untested Georgia running back room next season.
QB Maalik Murphy
Duke Blue Devils (from Texas)
6’5”, 238 lbs.
As the #4 quarterback prospect in the portal, Maalik Murphy saw limited action this season as a backup to injured starter Quinn Ewers.
In relief, Murphy led the Longhorns to victories over BYU (35-6) and Kansas State (33-30). Murphy threw for 248 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats but also threw 2 INTs. In seven games of action, Murphy threw for 477 yards, three TDs, and three INTs.
Connecting early 🤘 @MoCityMitch @SmvOperator
pic.twitter.com/jIXbFyKSYc— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 4, 2023
Murphy is a big-framed quarterback with whom the football gods reached down and turned his right arm into a Howitzer. With three years of eligibility left, Duke head coach Manny Diaz gets a quarterback with a ton of potential, and whose issues with accuracy and decision-making will improve with sustainable game reps.
CB Nyland Green
Purdue Boilermakers (from Georgia)
6’1”, 185 lbs.
A former 5-star CB ranked in the Top 100 out of high school, Nyland Green is the #1 CB prospect in the transfer portal. Green saw action in 26 games over three seasons in Athens, recording 12 tackles. In 2023, Green registered seven tackles and one pass breakup. He will have two years of college ball remaining.
