Although the winter transfer portal window has only been officially open for a week, some dust is already beginning to settle. Who are the winners and losers from the opening salvo?
Early Winter Transfer Portal Winners
Oregon Ducks
Dillon. Thieneman.
The 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American is the only transfer the Oregon Ducks have received a commitment so far, but he’s more than enough to earn them a spot on the winners list.
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Thieneman entered the portal following the Purdue Boilermakers’ 1-11 season and the firing of head coach Ryan Walters. Instead of sticking around to find out who the next hand at the controls would be, he jumped ship for the current No. 1-ranked team in the nation.
Duke Blue Devils
The Duke Blue Devils essentially traded former Texas Longhorns transfer Maalik Murphy for former Tulane Green Wave QB Darian Mensah.
In his lone season as a starter, Murphy completed 60.3% of his passes for 2,933 yards, a school-record 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Yet, it seems head coach Manny Diaz expected more from his 6’5″ and 230-pound passer.
Enter the 6’3″, 200-pound redshirt freshman. Mensah was a revelation for the Green Wave, owning a near-66% completion rate with 2,723 yards, 22 TDs, and only six INTs. However, if he is unable to live up to his potential in Durham, the Blue Devils would quickly fall into the losers category.
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes saw QBs Isaac Wilson, Brandon Rose, and Sam Huard all enter the portal. But does it matter? Not really, considering they landed former New Mexico Lobos signal-caller Devon Dampier, who followed offensive coordinator Jason Beck to Salt Lake City.
Dampier, who has two years of eligibility left, emerged as a dual-threat dynamo and one of — if not the — most fun to watch players in 2024, throwing for 2,768 yards and 12 TDs while rushing for another 1,166 yards and 19 scores on the ground.
Beck will need to rein in his volatility as a passer, but Dampeir has the skill set that translates to the Power Four level.
Ole Miss Rebels
Sure, the Ole Miss Rebels saw nine players throw their names into the portal, but none of them played more than 50 snaps in 2024.
And in their place, Lane Kiffin and Co. have already secured commitments from six players:
- Nebraska EDGE Princewill Umanmielen: Younger brother of current Ole Miss EDGE Princely and a 2023 second-team Freshman All-American
- Arkansas TE Luke Hasz: Posted a 26-324-4 receiving line in a run-heavy offense
- Arkansas CB Jaylon Braxton: 2023 All-SEC freshman who led team with eight PBus despite only six starts
- Arkansas OL Patrick Kutas: Standout OL starter with guard/tackle versatility
- Charlotte OT PJ Wilkins: Massive 6’7″, 340-pound redshirt freshman
- LSU EDGE Dashawn Womack: Consensus top-40 recruit in the 2023 class
Early Winter Transfer Portal Losers
Auburn Tigers
Like the Utes, the Auburn Tigers lost three QBs to the portal this offseason (Hank Brown, Walker White, and Holden Geriner). However, they didn’t bring in a QB of Dampier’s caliber. Instead, they earned a commitment from former Oklahoma Sooners five-star QB Jackson Arnold, who was benched early in the year.
A new situation could be exactly what the doctor ordered, but I’m of the belief Auburn has a Hugh Freeze problem, not just a QB problem.
Oklahoma Sooners
Speaking of the Sooners…
Oklahoma made a splash hire in Washington State Cougars OC Ben Arbuckle, but will it matter? Even if he is able to poach his former star signal-caller, John Mateer, the pass-catching corps is one of the worst in the nation, let alone the SEC.
WRs Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, Andrel Anthony, Brenen Thompson, J.J. Hester, Jaquaize Pettaway, and TE Bauer Sharp entered the portal in the winter, handicapping the talent in the locker room.
Sam Houston Bearkats
Not only did the Sam Houston Bearkats lose head coach K.C. Keeler to the Temple Owls, but 18 of his former players joined the thousands of names in the portal.
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On top of searching for a worthy replacement at head coach, the Bearkats need an influx of talent with the top three running backs — Jay Ducker, DJ McKinney, and Zach Hrbacek — leading tackler Caleb Weaver, and standout pass rusher Chris Murray on to greener pastures.
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are your 2024 Sun Belt champions! It’s only up from here, right? Right?
Wrong.
Head coach Charles Huff departed for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles job, and 30 players joined the mass exodus, including QBs Braylon Braxton and Stone Earle. The Thundering Herd could land the perfect hire, but it will take time for the program to find its feet.
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