In the constant spinning world of college football, the transfer portal tends to be filled with potential and second opportunities. But not many names in the portal today are as intriguing-or as complex—as Trejan Bridges. A former five-star phenom with hands and explosiveness on par with an NFL receiver, Bridges is still looking for a new destination after posting a monster year at Central Arkansas.
How does one of the FCS’s most productive receivers remain unsigned while dozens of lower-profile names secure new locker rooms?
Trejan Bridges Went From Being A Five-Star Flash to Fighting for Another Shot
Not so long ago, Bridges was a top-20 national prospect, touted as one of the most dynamic pass-catchers in the talent-laden 2019 class. He committed to Oklahoma, which is famous for churning out NFL receivers. He is 6- 1 and approximately 190 pounds. There, Bridges had elite route-running ability, body control, and the ability to separate, which instantly made him a fan favorite.
But it all fell apart in a hurry.
His first year in Norman had little effect—only one catch for five yards in 12 games. Then came the first major hit: a season-long NCAA suspension in 2020 for getting impermissible benefits. Bridges was among multiple Sooners who were part of the infraction, but the aftermath was significant.
Things turned more serious in 2021. Bridges was dropped from the program after he was arrested on a charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Oklahoma WR Trejan Bridges, RB Seth McGowan publicly identified as suspects in a robbery investigation: https://t.co/ySHp1SCKWI pic.twitter.com/jMH8JD490b
— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 17, 2021
While he and his lawyers have insisted that he was falsely accused and a victim of a scam, the legal ordeal seriously undermined his playing career. The charges were serious, and while the resolution is still unclear, the effect on his football path was clear as a bell.
Bouncing Back in JUCO and FCS Ball Dominance
Following the OU debacle, Bridges started the long journey back. He ended up at East Central Community College in 2022, where he started to pick up some steam: 27 receptions, 563 yards, and 4 scores on a part-time basis. That stint was sufficient to register with some folks—he originally committed to Utah but switched late, instead signing on at Central Arkansas for 2023.
That’s where the comeback really started.
During his first full year following the upheaval, Bridges scorched defenses for 59 receptions, 977 yards, and 11 touchdowns, receiving First-Team All-United Athletic Conference recognition.
He was a defensive back’s worst nightmare—taking away 50/50 balls, cutting through coverage with silky routes, and demonstrating why he had been tabbed as a can’t-miss talent. Almost three-quarters of his catches resulted in a first down or touchdown, an indication of his game-breaking talent.
It was the type of production that should have teams waiting in line by December. Instead, Bridges went back through the portal. And as of June 2025, he remains waiting.
Who’s Willing to Place a Bet on Talent?
Bridges possesses the ability to contribute to a college team today. He has two years of eligibility remaining, and he’s already demonstrated the ability to take over at the FCS level.
NFLDraftBuzz and other scouting publications have lauded his “plus route running ability,” “strong hands,” and YAC (yards after catch) dynamic talent. He’s a receiver who can make a game in one play, and in the right system, could rack up Power Four-level production. But any school eyeing him has to weigh that against the past.
The legal history, the suspensions, and the questions about his judgment all create a cloud that’s hard to ignore. While Bridges has worked to move on from those chapters, programs looking to bring him in will need to do deep background work and have strong support systems in place if they do extend an offer.
Bridges probably isn’t walking into a blue-blood locker room at this stage. But there are a lot of Group of Five (G5) programs that would be helped by what he can offer, particularly teams that want to take the next step and get a legitimate WR1 on their depth chart.
The best possible destinations are:
- Sun Belt or American Athletic Conference contenders who require a big-play receiver on the outside.
- Power Four teams with experience lost from WR rooms due to transfers or injury.
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- Programs where Bridges can be held accountable and thrive in a structured environment with stable veteran leadership.
Bridges has already experienced a full college football life—all rise up quick, fall hard, and again display that he can ball when afforded the opportunity. His Central Arkansas experience demonstrated that he’s still got it.
Now, it’s simply a question of whether a coaching staff will provide him a second chance on a larger stage. If they do, they may acquire one of the greatest late signings in this transfer season.
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