The transfer portal continues to stay hot through the month of December. With nearly 2,000 athletes actively in the portal at its peak, the rush of commitments has started to fall and rosters are beginning to take shape.
As players are finding their next school stops, some programs are left with big gaps in their 2024 plans. Here are the top MAC transfer portal departures through the transfer portal this offseason.
Top MAC Transfer Portal Departures in 2023
Find all other top transfer portal departures from each conference around the country: ACC | AAC | Big Ten | Big 12 | CUSA | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt
10) Marlyn Johnson, WR, Buffalo
Next School: FAU
A big-play threat in an offense that lacked a quarterback to find him downfield accurately, Marlyn Johnson should be a vital component in his next stop. Johnson racked up 40 receptions for 495 yards and four touchdowns this past season, but felt like there was a ton left on the table with the quarterback issues that we saw from Cole Snyder.
He stands 6’4″ and 200 pounds, playing a much faster game than his big frame might indicate. Johnson is a player to watch in the AAC next season with FAU.
9) Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo
Some of the top coverage instincts from a linebacker over the past few seasons have belonged to Shaun Dolac. He’ll patrol the middle of the field with brilliance and brings the hammer in the run game.
MORE: 2023 CFN All-Transfer Portal Team
Dolan finished with 31 total tackles in 2023 to go with an interception and multiple highlight-reel plays. He’s a terrific contributor in all facets and that extends to special teams as well.
8) Trayvon Rudolph, WR, Northern Illinois
Once upon a time, Trayvon Rudolph went wild against Kent State and recorded 309 receiving yards in a single contest. Rudolph bounced back from a devastating injury in 2022 to record 499 yards and two touchdowns through the air this past season, flashing his game-breaking ability on the ground as well.
When healthy, Rudolph is the ultimate weapon for an offense to deploy. He’s as elusive as he is fast and belongs in the slot as a heavily-targeted option. An Air Raid offense may suit his talents incredibly well.
7) Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio
The top transfer portal departures from the MAC are sure to be dominated by the perennial favorite Ohio Bobcats. Sieh Bangura shared carries in each of the past two seasons yet combined to rush for 1,889 yards and 20 touchdowns since 2022.
He’s a valuable three-down back and should be able to find a nice home at a run-first program where he can thrive.
6) Ta’ron Keith, RB, Bowling Green
The ultimate dual-threat back from the 2023 season, Ta’ron Keith has heard from a ton of schools since he entered the portal. In four seasons with the Falcons, Keith has amassed more receiving yards than he has rushing yards, proving his all-around abilities at every turn.
Through four seasons, Keith has run for 693 yards and five scores while hauling in 105 receptions for 1,049 yards and eight scores. He’s been a menace to tackle in the open field and an elusive player through the tackles. But his real worth is as a pass-catching option both as a check-down receiver and as a true route-running receiver.
Keith should be considered a top player for the Paul Hornung Award in 2024 if he lands with the right team.
5) Devin Grant, S, Buffalo
Devin Grant put on a show last season for Buffalo. The talented and somehow overlooked safety recorded five interceptions and two pick-sixes in 2023, flashing game-changing abilities all the same.
At 6’4″ and 190 pounds, there’s room for Grant to grow and turn into a downhill thumper, but he can play center field among the best in the nation.
4) Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
There isn’t much more to say about the Maple Missile at this time except that Kurtis Rourke is absolutely one of the top players in the transfer portal this offseason. Rourke, younger brother of the fabulous Nathan Rourke, made a name for himself over the past three seasons with Ohio and will test the open waters of the portal further to put his name on the NFL Draft map.
When he’s kept clean from pressure, Rourke is a dominant downfield thrower with plenty of arm talent and accuracy. Forced on the move, Rourke can still make the right decisions and powerful shots through any type of coverage.
Injury concerns plagued the end of 2022 and he missed out on the MAC Championship twice during seasons in which he should’ve played, but when he’s on the field, he’s certainly a top signal-caller.
3) Keye Thompson, LB, Ohio
Dominant three-down linebackers are often to hit the portal, and when they do, they’re sure to get scooped up by Power Five schools in no time. Keye Thompson is destined for great things after flashing elite-level talents in three of the past four seasons for the Bobcats.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Granted a seventh year with a mix of COVID and medical redshirts, Thompson is one of the most experienced players in the portal, and it shows in his game. He recorded at least 94 tackles in each of the past two seasons with a handful of pass breakups and multiple plays on the ball.
Thompson is a true three-down linebacker and should find a big-time program to make his name more nationally known soon.
2) Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo
Elevating the talent around him, Dequan Finn exits Toledo as a MAC Champion and nearly accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons. Finn effortlessly puts the ball downfield in accurate spots for his receivers to make plays and will throw his receivers open all over the field.
When plays break down, Finn is quick to buy time in the pocket or on the move, maintaining vision downfield before he takes off to scramble. When he does run, Finn is one of the fastest quarterbacks in the country, and he’ll leave defenders grasping at air with his mix of elusiveness and speed.
Playing from within the structure, there are few better quarterback options anywhere in America than Dequan Finn.
1) Jalen Huskey, CB, Bowling Green
Next School: Maryland
Making a quick move to Maryland, Jalen Huskey wasted no time in the portal before jumping to the Big Ten. At 6’1″ and 185 pounds, Huskey brings rare length and coverage skills to his game on the outside.
Teams started to understand not to target Huskey in 2023 after he ripped off four interceptions, including one against JJ McCarthy and Michigan. He’ll immediately factor into the starting rotation at Maryland before he likely takes the next step into the NFL Draft in 2025.