By Mark Pszonak
Just as with high school recruiting, transfer portal recruiting is far from an exact science. Not all highly rated players meet the lofty expectations and that once again is the case during the 2022/2023 transfer cycle. Here are 10 players who arrived with plenty of positive buzz but have yet to make the impact that was expected during the 2023 season:
WR Dont’e Thornton – Tennessee (Oregon)
The skinny: The buzz was pretty loud during the off-season regarding Thornton and his potential impact this season in Knoxville, but so far that has yet to become a reality. Overall, he has totaled only seven receptions for 89 yards and is still waiting for his first touchdown. He did miss the South Carolina game due to an injury but returned last weekend against Texas A&M which resulted in no receptions.
DB Denver Harris – LSU (Texas A&M)
The skinny: Talent was never the question regarding Harris, but after some off-field issues at Texas A&M eventually led to a transfer, his on-filed time in Baton Rouge has been relatively quiet. After missing the season opener against Florida State for “personal issues” he was a surprise starter the following week against Grambling. However, since then he has not seen consistent playing time, which has resulted in only seven tackles, five of which game against Arkansas, and two pass breakups.
WR Zakhari Franklin – Ole Miss (UTSA)
The skinny: Franklin missed the first three games of the season due to an injury, but then has totaled only two receptions for 23 yards after his return. Now coming off a bye and with Jordan Watkins injured, the pressure will be on Franklin to reach the potential many expected when he signed with the Rebels during the spring.
QB Devin Leary – Kentucky (NC State)
The skinny: Against weak competition during the first three games of the season Leary looked as advertised (855 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT, 61.7%), but in the following four games against SEC defenses his performance has floundered (522 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT, 47.5%). The problem for everyone in Lexington is that the final five games of the regular season are against SEC competition, including Alabama and Tennessee, and then finishes off against #21 Louisville. Leary and the Wildcats’ passing game need to right the ship quickly.
More Sports News
DL Anthony Lucas – USC (Texas A&M)
The skinny: USC attempted to overhaul their questionable defense through the transfer portal, with Lucas being one of the key additions. However, after seven games this season, those same questions are still lingering about the unit. Lucas has shown some flashes, but overall has only totaled eight tackles and three tackles for a loss to this point. On top of that, three of those tackles and two tackles for a loss came in the season opener against San Jose State.
WR Dorian Singer – USC (Arizona)
The skinny: The offense at USC has less questions than the defense, but the expected replacement for Jordan Addison has yet to hit his stride in Los Angeles. During the off-season it was said that a chemistry had developed between Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams and Singer, but that has yet to really be seen as he has only totaled 14 receptions for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Coming off a season when he had 1,105 yards receiving, it was not expected that 41 would be his season-high at this point.
WR Dante Cephas – Penn State (Kent State)
The skinny: The buzz coming out of summer camp wasn’t necessarily positive regarding Cephas so it is a little less surprising that he has only totaled seven receptions for 103 yards to this point. A highly sought after receiver in the portal, his commitment brought hope in Happy Valley that he would be the needed spark in the passing attack, but that has yet to become a reality.
TE CJ Dippre – Alabama (Maryland)
The skinny: The Tide has had plenty of success with tight ends in recent years and many thought that Dippre would be next in line, but through seven games he has only accumulated five receptions for 104 yards. Another tight end, Amari Niblack, has actually out performed him to this point with 11 receptions for 213 yards and three touchdowns.
QB Hudson Card – Purdue (Texas)
The skinny: It has been a mixed bag of results for Card, however since Big Ten play started it has been rather disappointing. During this stretch he has thrown four touchdowns and four interceptions while the Boilermakers have gone 1-3. This puts Purdue in a tough spot as they are now 2-5 and would have to win four of their last five to gain bowl eligibility.
DB Ja’Had Carter – Ohio State (Syracuse)
The skinny: Carter was another player who received a good amount of positive buzz since his arrival at his new school but hasn’t seen that translate to the field this season. He has struggled to get significant playing time which has resulted in only five tackles. The undefeated Buckeyes obviously are not lacking talent in the secondary, however expectations were that Carter would be a major part of the rotation at this point.
