There are several categories of transfer portal entrants: players seeking opportunity, players looking for a fresh start or reacting to a coaching change, and now, former junior college players who found out midway through the window that they’d be eligible next season.
Rice Owls running back Dean Connors fits into that last category, as he now has extra eligibility after spending time at Riverside City Community College in California. After three years at Rice, Connors has an extra year of eligibility, and he’s entered the transfer portal seeking a fresh start.
Where Could Dean Connors Transfer?
Connors didn’t have much interest out of junior college, signing with the Owls after being ranked the 110th-best player in the 2021 class.
In three seasons with Rice, Connors has run for 1,671 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s one of the best receiving threats out of the backfield in the portal, with over 900 yards and six touchdowns on 113 career receptions.
Connors struggled to find consistency behind a below-average offensive line this season, but he’s explosive and has good size. He’s one of the better running backs in the portal and could find his way onto a competitive Power Four team.
Connors is an interesting case in that he doesn’t have many previous connections with coaches, so there isn’t a natural starting point. He could have an in with higher academic institutions that often have trouble getting players’ credits to transfer. In general, he’s likeliest to go to a top team seeking a running back.
SMU Mustangs
The SMU Mustangs will look to bolster their College Football Playoff team and take advantage of a weaker ACC again next season. Thus, I expect them to swing on playmakers.
Connors is in the Lone Star State, and as a late entry with one year of eligibility, SMU could look in his direction. There shouldn’t be any Name, Image, and Likeness issues for the Mustangs, so they’ll likely be in the game for any player they want to target.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Given that the junior college ruling gives Diego Pavia extra eligibility, the Vanderbilt Commodores will look to build on 2024’s success. They’re thin at running back and could use a difference-maker at the position.
Like some of the other teams on this list, Vanderbilt is limited in who it can take in the portal. Yet, the Commodores have had more success than other elite academic institutions at getting credits to transfer. Still, Connors has a skill set that would make him a go-to guy in Nashville.
San Jose State Spartans
How about an off-the-wall Group of Five option for Connors? Ken Niumatalolo is from Hawai’i and loves to recruit players from the islands. Connors is originally from Kamuela, Hawaii, and while I don’t think a return to home via the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors is likely in the cards, that connection to the islands could lead to the San Jose State Spartans making sense.
The Spartans finished a strong first year under Niumatalolo, but the running backs weren’t special. Connors would bring a skill set that the Spartans don’t currently possess out of the backfield. San Jose State’s RBs had just eight catches all season.
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines just landed one of the top running backs in the transfer portal in Justice Haynes, but to my knowledge, he hasn’t officially signed yet. Even if he has, the Wolverines are young and thin at running back and could take a second RB from the portal.
FOLLOW ALONG: Track Every Transfer Portal Entrant in our CFN Transfer Portal Tracker now!
Michigan is looking to go all-in in the next few years but often has issues getting players’ credits to transfer. So, when a player from an elite academic institution hits the portal, it’s wise to keep an eye on the Wolverines.
USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley’s offense isn’t the most attractive place for a top running back, but receiving backs can thrive in his system without the extra wear and tear of being a featured guy.
Connors went to junior college in nearby Riverside, so he has a connection to the area. His skill set fits the USC Trojans’ offense, and the location familiarity can potentially give them a leg up as well.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
