Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Michael Van Buren Jr. Leads the Most Surprising 2025 Transfer Portal Stories

The Transfer Portal always comes with surprises, including Michael Van Buren Jr. entering

Staff
Pin
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) during a college football game between Tennessee and Mississippi State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) during a college football game between Tennessee and Mississippi State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville

By Alec Nederveld

The Transfer Portal opened on Monday and it’s always full of surprises, led by these five stories.

Michael Van Buren Jr.

2024 was a forgettable season for Mississippi State to say the least. The Bulldogs were 2-10 in Zach Lebby‘s debut season. Despite that, it looked like they found their quarterback for the future in Michael Van Buren Jr. He kept the team mostly competitive as a true freshman in his seven starts, throwing for 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns, albeit on a 54.7% completion percentage with seven interceptions.

I believe Van Buren entered the portal to make way for Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold, who Lebby coached as the Sooners’ OC. I’d still say State is the favorite, although Auburn will make a push and are hosting him on a visit. Van Buren will easily get another Power Four job with the opportunity to start.

Will Heldt

It’s not surprising that Heldt, a sophomore EDGE at Purdue with 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a fumble recovery TD entered the portal. What is surprising is who’s hosting him on a visit. Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers are hosting Heldt on a visit.

More Sports News

Swinney and Clemson have long been against the Portal. While they have taken backup quarterbacks Hunter Johnson and Paul Tyson and offered more players, it has mainly been silence from the program. Could we finally see Clemson utilizing the portal? I think they might take three or so players which is still progress.

Jack Pyburn

It’s become normal for players to enter the portal to look for more playing time or more money. Florida outside linebacker Jack Pyburn reportedly took it a step further, asking for $45,000 a month ($540,000 a year), a starting spot with a guaranteed to play on 3rd Down, and a larger role in the rotation.

Pyburn recorded solid stats in his Junior season with 60 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, forced fumble, and an interception, although that apparently wasn’t worth enough for Florida to cough up the money and guarantee the playing time. Considering how that will effect he locker room and a Florida roster increasing in talent, that looks like the right decision.

Maalik Murphy/Darian Mensah

I was really surprised when Duke QB Maalik Murphy entered the Transfer Portal Monday night. However, the Blue Devils had a succession plan, with Tulane’s Darian Mensah committing. At this time, it’s unknown if Mensah pushed out Murphy or if Murphy chose to leave (leading to Duke getting Mensah), although I think it’s the first option based on how quickly Mensah committed.

Murphy, in his first year after transferring from Texas, completed 60.3% of passes for 2,923 yards and 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions and two more rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Mensah completed of his throws for 65.9% for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions, adding 132 rushing yards and a score.

Either way, Duke has a good quarterback for 2025 and beyond as Mensah has three years of eligibility. It’s a very interesting situation all around however, I think Mensah could have gotten looks from better programs and Murphy was in a great system for his game and was very successful.

Williams Nwaneri

Landing Nwaneri, seen as the most important DL signing by Mike Farrell himself was a massive recruiting win for Missouri. One year later, he’s gone, choosing to join the Big Red revolution at former Big 12 rival Nebraska. While Nwaneri didn’t play much, redshirting after participating in four games with two tackles and a sack, his ceiling was limitless as a consensus five-star with a 6’7″ 255-pound frame.

Nwaneri is following Jamar Mozee, his high school coach at Lee’s Summit North who Nebraska hired as a Senior Analyst before the 2024 season. It’s a massive win for the Huskers who have had an offseason of losses on the defense. Defensive Coordinator Tony White left for Florida State and EDGE James Williams, second on the team with five sacks, is expected to follow him. Princewill Umanmielen is also in the portal, who 247 rates as the top EDGE rusher in the portal.

Category: , Tag: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Pin

You’ll Also Like