OL Daijon Parker – Iowa (Saginaw Valley State)
The skinny: It is not often that Iowa has holes on the offensive line, but after a disastrous offensive performance in 2022, the unit needed an overhaul. The Hawkeyes identified Parker as a possible solution in the portal, but at that point he was committed to Virginia. After some persistence from the Iowa coaching staff and an ensuing official visit to Iowa City, Parker flipped his commitment to the Hawkeyes.
While he enrolled at Saginaw Valley State in 2018, he didn’t play until the 2021 season. Parker redshirted in 2018, missed 2019 with an injury and then saw his 2020 season cancelled due to COVID. Finally getting on the field, Parker dominated the opposition during the last two seasons.
Arriving in time for the spring semester, he was listed as a second-team right tackle heading into the first practice. Unfortunately, an injury limited him to only one practice, which slowed his progress heading into summer camp. Despite the injury, which is now healed, Parker is expected to battle for a starting position and if nothing else will add much needed depth.
DE Zach Durfree – Washington (Sioux Falls)
The skinny: Similar to Isaac TeSlaa (above), Durfree was a high school quarterback who found his way to defensive end at Sioux Falls. What makes his journey even more impressive is that Durfree only played one game during his senior season because of an injury and had to walk-on at Sioux Falls in 2021.
Also, with FBS offers from Minnesota and Iowa State, the relationship between Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer and Sioux Falls put the Huskies over the top. DeBoer was a wide receiver at Sioux Falls and then eventually was the head coach from 2005 to 2009.
Arriving in Seattle at 6-foot-5, 250-pounds, Durfree experienced his fair share of growing pains during the spring, but gradually found his footing and began to dominate. That culminated in a 1.5 sack performance during the Huskies’ final practice, which raised everyone’s expectations heading into the 2023 season. Considering this will be his third season playing the position, it may take some time for him to get acclimated to FBS football, but the signs are there that once he does he has the potential to become a bigtime playmaker.
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WR Isaac TeSlaa – Arkansas (Hillsdale)
The skinny: A 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver who was a Wing-T quarterback in high school, TeSlaa quickly piled up the offers after entering the portal. After taking visits to Arkansas, Iowa, Iowa State and Purdue, he decided that he would continue his collegiate career in the SEC. Part of decision was based on the rather thin wide receiver room in Fayetteville after Matt Landers and Jadon Haselwood went to the NFL and Ketron Jackson and Warren Thompson transferred.
Arriving for the spring semester, TeSlaa’s first few days of practice were somewhat bumpy, but he quickly adjusted to the speed of the SEC. As he continued to get more comfortable and confident throughout the spring, the expectations are now firmly set that he will likely start when the Razorbacks host Western Carolina on September 2nd.
TE Kyle Morlock – Florida State (Shorter)
The skinny: Florida State added two tight ends during this portal cycle, with most of the publicity going to Jaheim Bell’s (South Carolina) commitment. Even with Bell committing first, Morlock surprised some by joining him in Tallahassee this season. While Bell received more publicity, Morlock also dealt with upwards of 20 offers before committing to the Seminoles. At the end he chose Florida State over Tennessee and Auburn.
While Morlock and Bell technically play the same position, they are also vastly different players. Bell is a versatile Swiss army knife type of athlete, which should give Morlock more of an opportunity to play the traditional tight end role. At 6-foot-6, 245-pounds, he brings a mixture of size and athleticism that will be a matchup nightmare for defenses in the red-zone and provides another valuable weapon for quarterback Jordan Travis.
RB Mario Anderson – South Carolina (Newberry)
The skinny: MarShawn Lloyd’s surprising decision to enter the transfer portal in December suddenly created a hole at the running back position in Columbia. Suddenly finding a replacement became the priority. Scouring available players, South Carolina only had to look 45 minutes away to find Anderson.
At Newberry, Anderson rushed for 1,560 yards and 19 touchdowns during the 2022 season, while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. At 5-foot-9 and 210-pounds, he is a powerful back who still possesses an impressive combination of speed and shiftiness. To earn playing time, Anderson will be battling two returning players during summer camp. Juju McDowell will be the likely starter when the season begins, but he is still unproven after rushing for 467 yards and four touchdowns during his two seasons with the Gamecocks. Also, Dakereon Joyner is more of an athlete type who will likely see some time in the backfield but looks more comfortable at receiver. The opportunity will be there for Anderson to make his mark on the field this fall.
Others to watch: DL Tre’Darius Colbert – Maryland (Angelo State), WR Noah Massey – West Virginia (Angelo State), OL Gottlieb Ayedze – Maryland (Frostburg State), DB Kevin Larkins – Kentucky (Livingstone), LB Khalib Gilmore – Syracuse (West Florida), TE Ian Edenfield – Oklahoma State (Pennsylvania Western), WR JaQuae Jackson – Rutgers (Cal U of Pennsylvania), WR Christian Carter – Memphis (Pittsburg State), DB Darius Swanson – Tulane (Nebraska-Kearney), DB Abraham Temoney – Coastal Carolina (Erskine), DB Donovan Callis – Troy (East Central), DB Keonte Lusk – Coastal Carolina (East Central), LB Coleton Smith – Tulsa (Southwest Baptist), OL Zach Elam – Coastal Carolina (West Florida), LB Kaden Stewart – Colorado State (Colorado-Mesa)
