By Mark Pszonak
Since this transfer portal cycle began on August 1st, thousands of players have entered. Here is a list of the five schools that have had the most scholarship players enter and how they are dealing with these losses:
Alabama – 27
Key losses: OL Kadyn Proctor (Iowa), DB Caleb Downs (Ohio State), TE Amari Niblack (Texas), QB Julien Sayin (Ohio State), WR Isaiah Bond (Texas), DB Earl Little II (Florida State)
Summary: Even for a blue blood recruiting power like Alabama, it will be difficult for the Tide to quickly overcome all of the losses they have endured through the portal since the surprising retirement of Nick Saban. True freshman stars Kadyn Proctor and Caleb Downs are likely future top ten NFL draft picks, while Julien Sayin has the potential to be a future star at quarterback. Also, with available portal talent being somewhat diminished at this point, finding adequate replacements will likely have to wait until the spring window opens in April.
Purdue – 27
Key losses: DL Nic Scourton (Texas A&M), WR Deion Burks (Oklahoma), WR TJ Sheffield (Michigan State), TE Garrett Miller (Texas A&M)
Summary: After losing 23 scholarship players in the portal during the 2022/2023 cycle, the Boilermakers have already exceeded that number this year. While last year’s total was understandable due to the usual roster turnover after their head coaching change, this year’s exodus is a bit more surprising. Will this be an annual occurrence in West Lafayette? It might quickly become one, especially if Purdue can’t improve on their 4-8 2023 season.
More Sports News
Michigan State – 27
Key losses: TE Malique Carr (Houston), OL Spencer Brown (Oklahoma), OL Keyshawn Blackstock (Arkansas), DL Zion Young (Missouri), WR Tyrell Henry (Wisconsin)
Summary: When you look at the Michigan State situation in its entirety, their outcome could have been much worse. Considering the in-season firing of head coach Mel Tucker and the resulting uncertainty which eventually led to the hiring of Jonathan Smith, the Spartans did an admirable job bandaging a potential disaster. Most important to note is that of their 27 entries, the new coaching staff was able to convince ten players to later withdraw their name from the portal. This included players who should play an important role in 2024, such as Derrick Harmon, Darius Snow, Khris Bogle, Charles Brantley and Jaron Glover.
Washington – 25
Key losses: DB Jabbar Muhammad (Still Available), DB Mishael Powell (Miami-Florida), QB Austin Mack (Alabama), OL Paki Finau (Still Available), DB Asa Turner (Still Available)
Summary: On January 12th, the Huskies only had five scholarship players in the portal. 12 days later, head coach Kalen DeBoer is in Tuscaloosa and 20 additional players have made themselves available. What makes the situation even worse for the Huskies is that they were already going to have to replace a substantial amount of talent after their run to the National Championship game due to NFL Draft entries. New head coach Jedd Fisch will be working overtime to piece together his roster in the coming months but did receive good news on Tuesday when quarterback Will Rogers announced that he would be withdrawing his name from the portal.
Indiana – 24
Key losses: OL Matthew Bedford (Ole Miss), OL Zach Carpenter (Miami-Florida), DB Louis Moore (Ole Miss), RB Jaylin Lucas (Florida State), OL Kahlil Benson (Colorado)
Summary: Considering their head coaching change, this one really isn’t much of a surprise. Also, incoming coach Curt Cignetti immediately took an aggressive approach in the portal and has successfully plugged roster holes, which included bringing in several of his former players from James Madison. There are still some holes to fill, mostly on the offensive line, but to this point Indiana hasn’t let the portal losses become an anchor.
