Yet another puzzling transfer portal has emerged, this time involving former Charlotte 49ers QB Deshawn Purdie. After initially committing to the Florida Gators, Purdie is back in the portal and searching for his next collegiate home.
Where Will Deshawn Purdie Transfer?
Purdie flashed as a true freshman, completing 100 of 200 passes for 1,802 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, he has the tools plenty of coaches wish to mold, including Florida’s Billy Napier.
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However, after signing with the Gators on Dec. 22, Purdie officially withdrew his papers on Jan. 13. According to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer, “Once a player signs a grant of aid with an SEC school, they’re not allowed to be contacted by another SEC program, even while released.”
Of course, the NCAA has struggled to enforce tampering rules and regulations, but it’s worth noting that Purdie held offers from the Georgia Bulldogs, Auburn Tigers, and Mississippi State Bulldogs prior to landing in Gainesville. So, where will Purdie end up?
Maryland Terrapins
Purdie is from the Baltimore, Md., area and starred at Milford Mill Academy during his junior and senior high school seasons. He received an offer from the Terrapins coming out and could return home.
Maryland could use the reinforcements, as Billy Edwards Jr. (Wisconsin) and MJ Morris (Coastal Carolina) transferred out this offseason, and UCLA’s Justyn Martin is the only real competition in College Park.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Bill Belichick has a couple of options at QB, with Purdue’s Ryan Browne joining Jacolby Criswell in the position room. Yet, he may not be comfortable with just those two, especially after Michael Merdinger (Liberty) and Conner Harrell (Charlotte) left the program this offseason.
Purdie has pro-level size and raw arm strength, but the mental side of his game could use polish under a future NFL Hall of Famer.
Syracuse Orange
The previous regime showed interest in Purdie as a recruit — perhaps Fran Brown and Co. do as well. Kyle McCord is on to the NFL, and Braden Davis and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson are still in the portal.
LSU’s Rickie Collins (seven career pass attempts) is the only addition to the QB depth chart, so Brown would benefit from adding another body, particularly one with Purdie’s abilities.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Rich Rodriguez is back in Morgantown, and it’s glorious. However, he needs a new QB to run his offense. He’s already brought in Charlotte QB Max Brown and Texas A&M redshirt junior Jaylen Henderson, but Purdie could be the best of the three.
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Now, Purdie doesn’t exactly fit Rodriguez’s run-heavy offense perfectly. Last season, Jacksonville State QB Tyler Huff ran 227 times. Purdie capped out with a 56-359-8 rushing line as a high school senior. Nevertheless, Rodriguez can cater his scheme to his QB1’s talents, and it’s not as if Purdie is a statue under center.
Georgia Bulldogs
If rumors are anything to go by, Georgia gave Purdie a deal he couldn’t refuse, causing him to pull out of his deal with the Gators. Is there a modicum of truth there? Possibly, at least in the sense Kirby Smart’s team still has interest in the skywalking signal-caller.
They offered him a scholarship before he committed to Florida, and that was before they saw Gunner Stockton’s performance vs. Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff. The QB depth chart is uncertain at best, and Purdie’s presence would bolster the team’s options at the game’s most important position.
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