By Tony Thomas
Going into week 3 of the imperfect storm that is the transfer portal, a swath of scorched earth has been laid across the college football landscape. Loyalty and team spirit are in the rearview as players seek a better situation for themselves.
With that said, below is a profile of some of the recent commitments that players have made to their “new” teams.
LB Chris Paul, Jr.
Ole Miss Rebels (from Arkansas)
6’1″, 233 LBS
A junior to be, Chris Paul, Jr. was second on the team in tackles for the Razorbacks with 74 stops. In addition, he added 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Paul is rated as the #1 linebacker prospect in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.
Against Mississippi State, Paul racked up 12 tackles and one tackle for loss in a 7-3 loss to the Bulldogs.
Paul brings 25 games of SEC experience to an Ole Miss linebacker corps that was laden with seniors. For his career at Arkansas, Paul recorded 136 tackles in two seasons.
DB Will Lee III
Texas A&M Aggies (from Kansas State)
6’3″, 185 LBS
An Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection, Will Lee III recorded 42 tackles, two INTs, 1.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
More Sports News
Lee racked up eight tackles against Oklahoma State and nine tackles against Texas, both losses.
At 6’3”, Lee is a big cover corner and presents a good matchup for bigger wide receivers. He should thrive in a Mike Elko defense. The Aggies’ defensive secondary is in need of quality players as they have lost two defensive backs to the transfer portal.
WR Kris Mitchell
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (from FIU)
6’1″, 175 LBS
Kris Mitchell was a 2nd Team All-Conference USA selection after hauling in 64 passes for 1,118 yards and six touchdowns.
That long catch and run from KMitch to setup the TD! pic.twitter.com/n9kCNpAnSF
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) November 19, 2023
Mitchell went over 100 yards receiving four times this season, including a 201-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 14-12 win over Maine.
Over the final two games this season, Mitchell combined for 14 catches for 273 yards but was kept out of the end zone. In Mitchell, Notre Dame gets a very productive receiver who has caught 87 passes for over 1400 yards in the last two seasons and who will take the sting out of losing WR/KR Chris Tyree.
QB Blake Shapen
Mississippi State Bulldogs (from Baylor)
6′-0″, 206 LBS
A two-year starter for the Bears, Blake Shapen passed for 2,188 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three INTs while completing 61% of his passes. In addition, he also added four rushing touchdowns.
Shapen to the pylon! 🙌🙌 @BShapen #SicEm | #PersonOverPlayer pic.twitter.com/HP2sKHH0IK
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) November 18, 2023
Shapen recorded three games of over 300 yards passing and threw four touchdown passes in a loss to Kansas State.
As a freshman in 2021, he led the Bears to a 21-16 win over Oklahoma State in the Big XII Championship Game after passing for 254 yards and two touchdowns. For his Baylor career, Shapen has logged 5,574 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 13 INTs.
In Shapen, Mississippi State gets a solid quarterback with starting experience that wanted to compete in the SEC, and could thrive in Jeff Lebby’s offense.
DB Dez Malone
Oklahoma Sooners (from San Diego State)
6’2′, 200 LBS
An Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference selection, Dez Malone recorded 47 tackles, one INT, two tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble for the Aztecs. In addition, Malone added three punt returns for 37 yards.
Malone has good size for a corner and can play safety as well. He brings experience to the Sooners’ secondary and could be penciled in as a starter on a unit that returns Billy Bowman, Jr. and Gentry Williams, who both combined for nine INTs this season.
