Star FIU Panthers wide receiver Eric Rivers has entered the transfer portal following the news of Mike MacIntyre’s firing. The rising senior from McCallie High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has two years of eligibility remaining and should garner plenty of interest from power conference teams.
A former Memphis Tigers WR, Rivers had a breakout year with the Panthers. Now, College Football Network takes a look at his potential landing spots.
Where Could Eric Rivers Transfer?
A junior in 2024, Rivers took a medical redshirt in 2022 before transferring from Memphis to FIU. He had a decent debut in 2023, hauling in 32 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns before exploding in 2024, especially down the stretch.
Rivers caught 62 passes for 12 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards. That included at least one touchdown in seven of eight Conference USA games.
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You won’t find a receiver who played better down the stretch this season, as Rivers had 30 catches for 591 yards and seven touchdowns in his final four games with the Panthers.
He doesn’t have great size, but Rivers operated primarily on the outside and was one of the country’s best deep threats. He racked up 637 yards on targets more than 20 yards down the field, third-best in the country.
That type of deep threat doesn’t go unnoticed in the transfer portal, and some of the sport’s Blue Bloods could push to land Rivers. Here are five potential landing spots for the FIU receiver.
Colorado Buffaloes
The Colorado Buffaloes are going to be very active in the portal this offseason as they attempt to reload on offense following the departures of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, among others. Rivers would give them another true deep threat for rising freshman Julian Lewis, who I expect to start immediately.
I’m interested to see how the Buffaloes adjust without their two stars next season, but I think the path forward starts with the transfer portal. That’s something Deion Sanders has already mentioned the Buffaloes will attack.
Tennessee Volunteers
While the Tennessee Volunteers brought in several highly coveted receivers in the transfer portal last season, they haven’t all meshed with Nico Iamaleava. I think that’s partly because head coach Josh Heupel didn’t anticipate that his quarterback would struggle more in tight windows underneath than over the top.
So, the focus should be getting a receiver who can take the top off of the defense. Rivers is probably the top guy in that category who will hit the portal, and he’s a Chattanooga native. The fit here makes sense.
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers will likely be active in the portal this offseason. While it remains to be seen if Garrett Nussmeier returns, the Tigers will still want a true deep threat since they will lose CJ Daniels and potentially Chris Hilton Jr. after this season.
LSU can offer Rivers a key spot on a contending team, and if Nussmeier stays, they’ll have one of the better quarterbacks in the country.
South Carolina Gamecocks
People are going to be surprised at how active — and successful — the South Carolina Gamecocks will be in the portal this offseason. They want one WR to add to a younger room, and that guy is likely to be a true X receiver.
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Because of this, I’m unsure if the fit will be perfect, as the Gamecocks probably want someone larger than 5’11”, 175 pounds. But if they put Rivers alongside Nyck Harbor, Jared Brown, and Mazeo Bennett Jr., South Carolina would have one of the better wide receiver rooms in the SEC.
Florida Gators
Likewise, the Florida Gators plan to take full advantage of their end-of-season momentum and star quarterback by attacking the portal. DJ Lagway’s youth and progress make Florida an attractive landing spot for top receivers.
Expect the Gators to push here for a receiver who can change the game’s complexion with just one play. And given his background and talent, I expect Rivers to stay in SEC country.
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