Texas State Flips Mannie Nunnery From Arizona as Transfer Portal Successes Stack Up

The Texas State Bobcats capped off a big week on the recruiting trail by signing former Florida Gators linebacker Mannie Nunnery, flipping his commitment from the Arizona Wildcats.

Nunnery is the seventh transfer portal addition for the Bobcats since last Sunday and the ninth overall since Texas State’s spring practice concluded on April 13.

Mannie Nunnery Flips Commitment to Texas State

A sixth-year senior, Nunnery spent his first four seasons with the Houston Cougars (2019-2022) before transferring to Florida last year. He made 12 appearances with four starts for the Gators in 2023, registering 28 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, and 1/2 a sack. In 34 games with the Cougars, Nunnery racked up 81 tackles, eight for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Signing with the Bobcats concludes a roller coaster offseason for Nunnery. He entered the transfer portal in January before withdrawing nine days later and returning to Florida for spring practice. He then re-entered the portal in mid-April following the conclusion of the Gator’s spring practice.

Nunnery visited and committed to Arizona just last weekend but quickly reversed course and pledged to Texas State on Monday. He officially signed soon after and moved on to San Marcos.

Originally from Pearland, Texas in the Greater Houston metropolitan area, Nunnery is one of several expatriated Texans to transfer back to the Lone Star State by joining the Bobcats.

That’s not by accident, with Texas State coach G.J. Kinne pushing a #TakeBackTexas social media recruiting movement aimed at keeping in-state players and bringing back ones that accepted out-of-state offers.

“Having the proof of what we did last year and almost being established, (recruits) see us differently this year than they do last year,” Kinne said at a press conference last week. “I think that’s been really cool to see. A lot of that has to do with the players that we have, the administration, and the coaching staff.”

More From the Portal for Texas State

After bringing in 39 transfers in the 2023 class, Kinne’s staff has signed 26 from the portal for 2024, including six last week. Colorado OL David Conner, Tulane OL Sully Burns, Cal OL Martin Tine, Tulane receiver Jaylon Griffin, Lamar corner Canden Grogan, Texas A&M-Commerce safety Jordan Polk, and Nunnery will all suit up for the Bobcats after arriving in San Marcos during the offseason.

Conner played at Florida as a freshman in 2022 before spending last season in Boulder. Listed at 6’5″, 295 pounds, he’s yet to take a collegiate snap. Burns appeared in three games last year with the Green Wave. Originally from Plano, Texas, the 6’7″, 310-pound big man returns to his home state with three years left.

Tine spent one season at Cal after his first three at East Los Angeles College (2020-2022). Tine, a 6’6″, 310-pound Houston native, is a converted two-way player, playing DL in high school and at East Los Angeles.

Griffin played at Kilgore College his first two years (2019-2020) before spending the last three at UCF. After catching nine passes for 119 yards and one score in 17 appearances, he transferred to Tulane, but entered the portal after one semester and joined the Bobcats.

Crogan played three seasons at Lamar, starting 10 games with 20 tackles and two picks last year, while Polk registered 72 tackles and two picks in 26 games with the Lions from 2021-2023.

KEEP READING: Texas State 2024 Football Schedule

The Bobcats have brought in eight players from the transfer portal since spring ball ended with Baylor QB R.J. Martinez and Houston LB Treylin Payne signing earlier this month. The number is of scholarships the Bobcats have left is reportedly fluid and more transfers could be expected this summer.

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