Month: July 2021

Notable names in the transfer portal included LaDavius Draine (Southern Miss), Kim Aiken (Eastern Washington) is back in the portal after re-opening his recruitment, Bryce Laskey (Saint Francis (PA)), & Mike Peake (Austin Peay).

Announcing transfer destinations were Yuat Alok (Coppin State to New Mexico State), Xavier Green (Old Dominion to Maryland), Diego Willis (NJIT to Stephen F. Austin), & Jalanni White (Canisius to Penn State). Most of these players who committed in the last couple days just entered the portal since mid-June.

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 28-30:

• Julian Champagnie, St John’s – had right wrist surgery, expected back by October

Transfer Updates from July 28-30:

• Kim Aiken, Eastern Washington – back in the portal and re-opening his recruitment after decommitting from Washington State – 11.3 ppg
• Yuat Alok, Coppin State – transfers to New Mexico State – 9.5 ppg, has previously been at JuCo, TCU, UCF, and Southern Utah
• LaDavius Draine, Southern Miss – enters portal (GT) – 8.5 ppg
• Xavier Green, Old Dominion – transfers to Maryland – 6.7 ppg
• Shakem Johnson, Tennessee State – withdraws from the portal – 11.8 ppg
• Bryce Laskey, Saint Francis (PA) – enters portal – 7.5 ppg
• Mike Peake, Austin Peay – enters portal – 10.7 ppg, began career at Georgia
• Jalanni White, Canisius – transfers to Penn State (GT) – 3.7 ppg
• Diego Willis, NJIT – transfers to Stephen F. Austin – 5.9 ppg

Many of the player updates early in the week centered around transfers being eligible this upcoming season, (many of which were two-time transfers and/or grad transfers, credit to Jon Rothstein for sharing most of them). That said, between the new one-time free transfer rules and the ease with which waivers have been given to transfers (first-time & multiple-time) and grad transfers in recent seasons, it appears the general expectation this season will be that players who announce transfers will be granted waivers for eligibility.

While it is helpful to have confirmation of transfer eligibility, I don’t really see that as “breaking news” unless there has been a complicating factor around the transfer creating concern about their eligibility. So as a general rule I likely won’t tweet out transfer waiver eligibility approvals unless the climate shifts, but you can see a list of those whose transfer eligibility was recently confirmed in the update section below.

Some of those announcing transfer destinations were Kevin Osawe (Western Kentucky to Little Rock) & Talin Lewis (USC to Corban University).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 26:

• Teddy Allen, New Mexico State – Nebraska transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Nysier Brooks, Ole Miss – Miami transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Terrell Brown, Washington – Arizona transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Jason Carter, Ohio – Xavier transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Jalen Coleman-Lands, Kansas – Iowa State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Rasheem Dunn, Robert Morris – St. John’s transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• KeyShawn Feazell, Creighton – McNeese State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Ferron Flavors, Robert Morris – Oklahoma State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Michael Flowers, Washington State – South Alabama transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Jamir Harris, Seton Hall – American transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Vance Jackson, East Carolina – Arkansas transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Hayden Koval, Cincinnati – UNC Greensboro transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Te’Jon Lucas, BYU – Milwaukee transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Koby McEwen, Weber State – Marquette transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Charlie Moore, Miami – DePaul transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Pauly Paulicap, West Virginia – DePaul transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Mark Smith, Kansas State – Missouri transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Patrick Tape, San Francisco – Duke transfer confirmed to eligible this season
• Chris Vogt, Wisconsin – Cincinnati transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Michael Weathers, SMU – Texas Southern transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Bryson Williams, Texas Tech – UTEP transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Holland Woods, Grand Canyon – Arizona State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season

Transfer Updates from July 26:

• Trevell Cunningham, Grambling – transfers to Southern Indiana – 6.9 ppg
• Isiah Kirby, Southeastern Louisiana – transfers to Tallahassee CC – 7.3 ppg
• Talin Lewis, USC – transfers to Corban University
• Kevin Osawe, Western Kentucky – transfers to Little Rock – 2.2 ppg

Many conferences had their preseason media days this past week, which led to a number of injury updates as well as some depth chart news, which means a LOT more updates this week. See some of the highlights in the opening sections with full lists below, so dig in!

In the biggest QB updates, Cameron Rising (Utah) is 100% while D’Eriq King (Miami) & Michael Penix (Indiana) sound close to 100%, and Carson Strong (Nevada) sounds close to back after minor offseason knee surgery. QBs going into their fall camps as QB1 include Luke Doty (South Carolina) and Cade McNamara (Michigan).

In RB news, Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss), & MarShawn Lloyd (South Carolina) should be ready for their seasons after injury recovery, while Markese Stepp (Nebraska) is not yet 100% but sounds on track to be ready.

In WR & TE updates, Donavon Greene (Wake Forest) was a surprise announcement that he’ll miss the season due to an offseason injury, Renard Bell (Washington State) will miss the season after surgery for a torn ACL, and TE Keaton Upshaw (Kentucky) is also out indefinitely due to injury which required surgery. In more positive news, Arik Gilbert (Georgia) was confirmed to be eligible this season. Justyn Ross (Clemson) has not yet been officially cleared but is hoped to be soon.

Entering the transfer portal was RB Chris Lovick (Tulsa).

Some of those announcing transfer destinations were QB Cade Fennegan (Boise State to BYU), WR Dennis Smith (Duke to Eastern Michigan), WR Casey Washington (returning to Illinois after brief stop at Wake Forest), WR Penny Baker (TCU to UTEP), & QB Tate Martell (Miami to UNLV).

Updates from July 19-25:

QBs:

• Luke Anthony, Louisiana Tech – setback in recovery and had to have recent scope, unclear if he will be 100% for the start of the season
• Luke Doty, South Carolina – is QB1 going into fall camp
• Cade Fennegan, Boise State – transfers to BYU
• Florida State – McKenzie Milton and Jordan Travis are in competition, Milton is full-go
• D’Eriq King, Miami – says he is close to 100%, expects to be ready for start of fall camp
• LSU – will be an open competition between Max Johnson and Myles Brennan
• Johnathan Lewis, Rutgers – transfers to South Dakota, has played QB as well as TE
• Trey Lowe, Southern Miss – sounds like the leader in the QB competition going into practice
• Tate Martell, Miami – reportedly will transfer to UNLV – began career at Ohio State
• Cade McNamara, Michigan – is QB1 going into fall camp
• Michael Penix, Indiana – says he’ll be 100% by the season opener
• Cameron Rising, Utah – is 100% for fall (shoulder)
• Carson Strong, Nevada – not yet 100% but is throwing after January knee clean-up surgery, spoke at media day and is expected to be ready for the season
• Justin Tomlin, Georgia Southern – confirmed to be QB1 going into preseason camp

RBs:

• Demarkcus Bowman, Florida – Clemson transfer will be eligible this season
• Steele Chambers, Ohio State – is working at both RB and LB, he will decide where he wants to play
• Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss – fine and working out after off-season shoulder surgery
• MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina – is full-go after ACL injury caused him to miss last season
• Chris Lovick, Tulsa – enters transfer portal – 9/47-0
• Miami, Ohio – Jaylon Bester & Tyre Shelton are expected back this season after missing last year with injuries
• Nick Orekoya, UMass – transfers to Valparaiso – 20/120-1 career from 2016-2020
• Abram Smith, Baylor – former RB was playing LB, moves back to RB
• Markese Stepp, Nebraska – working out but not full-speed yet, sounds expected to be ready for the start of the season
• Ronald Thompkins, Nebraska – announces he will retire from football, was in the transfer portal
• TJ Wisham, Louisiana – ready for fall practice (wrist)

WRs & TEs:

• Auburn – Shedrick Jackson, Ze’Vian Capers & JJ Evans expected to be ready to go for fall practice
• Penny Baker, TCU – transfers to UTEP
• Jamal Bell, Louisiana – ready for fall camp (PCL)
• Renard Bell, Washington State – had surgery for a torn ACL, will miss the season
• Dominick Blaylock, Georgia – not yet cleared for contact
• Maliq Carr, Michigan State – Purdue WR transfer now listed as a TE
• TE Marshon Ford, Louisville – will see expanded role as a WR at times this season
• WR/TE Arik Gilbert, Georgia – eligible to play this fall after transfer from LSU
• Donavon Greene, Wake Forest – will miss the season due to an offseason injury – 29/582-2 in 2020
• TE Larry Hodges, Miami – is back working out with the team after being withheld from team activities for a spring arrest
• Kearis Jackson, Georgia – had a knee cleanup procedure, expected to be ready for preseason practice
• Ohio State – Jaylen Harris retired due to medical reasons, Elijah Gardiner “just decided to move on”, Kamryn Babb will not be healthy for the start of fall camp due to a spring injury
• Jaden Payoute, Virginia Tech – has been a full participant in summer workouts (ankle)
• George Pickens, Georgia – making progress, running straight line after ACL tear, still a ways away
• Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia – practicing, expected to be available at start of season (ankle)
• Justyn Ross, Clemson – not yet officially cleared but close to finishing process, hopeful to be good to go (neck/spine)
• Dennis Smith, Duke – transfers to Eastern Michigan – 16/235-1
• TE Keaton Upshaw, Kentucky – reported to be out indefinitely with a practice injury during strength and conditioning, more expected to be known in the coming days, could be season-ending, on Friday he tweeted that “surgery went good”
• De’Vion Warren, Arkansas – doing well this summer (ACL), expected to be healthy going into fall
• Casey Washington, Illinois – returning to Illinois after decommitting from transfer to Wake Forest – 10/106-0
• Everett Wormley, Rutgers – transfers to Central Conn. State

Notable names in the transfer portal were Isaac Kante (Hofstra), & Emanuel Littles (North Alabama) after decommitting from South Alabama.

Some of those announcing transfer destinations included Ed Chang (Missouri to Jacksonville), Sherman Brashear (Panola JC to Western Kentucky), Lenell Henry (Prairie View A&M to Alcorn St), & Frankie Hughes (San Diego to Slippery Rock).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 22-25:

• Keyontae Johnson, Florida – still undergoing tests, not yet cleared for workouts, no timeline yet
• Makur Maker, Howard – withdraws name from the NBA Draft, will play professionally next season toward goal of 2022 draft

Transfer Updates from July 22-25:

• Dudley Blackwell, Iowa State – transfers to Chipola JC – 1.6 ppg
• Doctor Bradley, Cal State Fullerton – transfers to Salt Lake CC – 5.3 ppg
• Sherman Brashear, Panola JC – transfers to Western Kentucky – 11.0 ppg
• Ed Chang, Missouri – transfers to Jacksonville
• Courtese Cooper, Southern Utah – transfers to Shawnee State – 1.0 ppg, began career at LSU
• Frankie Hughes, San Diego – transfers to Slippery Rock (D2) – 6.0 ppg
• Lenell Henry, Prairie View A&M – transfers to Alcorn State – 7.3 ppg
• Isaac Kante, Hofstra – enters portal (GT) – 12.9 ppg
• Emanuel Littles, North Alabama – decommits from transfer to South Alabama, back in portal – 9.4 ppg
• Festus Ndumanya, Cal State Northridge – transfers to Salt Lake CC – 4.8 ppg
• Montreal Pena, Oklahoma State – transfers to South Plains JC

Notable names in the transfer portal included Jeffrey Gary (Mercer), while Jaden Shackelford (Alabama) withdrew his name from the portal. Shackelford was likely the most high-profile player in the portal prior to withdrawing, although there are still a handful of impact transfers still available, with Keith Williams (Cincinnati) and Tyrece Radford (Virginia Tech) at the top of the list.

Announcing transfer destinations were Seneca Knight (San Jose State/LSU to BYU), Jason Whitens (Western Michigan to Michigan State), Silvio De Sousa (Kansas to Chattanooga), & Rod Brown (New Mexico to Jacksonville).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 19-21:

• Purdue – Isaiah Thompson will return next week after dealing with a knee issue, Caleb Furst will see a doctor about foot soreness

Transfer Updates from July 19-21:

• Rod Brown, New Mexico – transfers to Jacksonville – 7.4 ppg
• Silvio De Sousa, Kansas – transfers to Chattanooga – 2.6 ppg, ’19-20
• Jeffrey Gary, Mercer – enters portal – 6.7 ppg
• Seneca Knight (San Jose State/LSU – transfers to BYU – 9.3 ppg at San Jose State in ’20-21 before a mid-year transfer to LSU where he never ending up playing
• Michael Peterson, Ferris State – transfers to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on – 9.4 ppg
• Jaden Shackelford, Alabama – withdraws from the portal and will return next season – 14.0 ppg
• Jason Whitens, Western Michigan – grad transfers to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on – 5.4 ppg

In coaching news, Ohio coach Frank Solich unexpectedly retired on Wednesday for health reasons after being at Ohio since 2005, Offensive Coordinator Tim Albin agreed to a four-year contract as the new coach.

In QB updates, Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) is healthy for the start of the season, and an early preseason Baylor depth chart had a 3-way OR at QB with Gerry Bohanon, Jacob Zeno & Blake Shapen all in the mix.

In RB news, SaRodorick Thompson is “cautiously optimistic” to be ready for the season opener as he rehabs from injury, but more will be known in mid-August. Same update about “cautiously optimistic” for Texas Tech teammate WR Erik Ezukanma, who I previously shared back in mid-June had resumed catching balls.

In WR & TE updates, JJ Holloman will transfer to Liberty after stints at FIU and Georgia, Kaylon Geiger is expected to line up at outside receiver for Texas Tech, Chabastin Taylor (Kansas State) should be back to full-speed in August after a torn ACL.

Notables entering the transfer portal were QB Cade Fennegan (Boise State), & WR Mike Wyman (South Carolina).

Notables announcing transfer destinations were QB Kaidon Salter (Tennessee to Liberty) & WR JJ Holloman (FIU to Liberty).

Updates from July 12-18:

QBs:

• Baylor – preseason depth chart shows Gerry Bohanon OR Jacob Zeno OR Blake Shapen
• Cade Fennegan, Boise State – enters transfer portal – 15/28-182-2
• Luke McAllister, Colorado State – transfers to Hutchinson CC
• Kaidon Salter, Tennessee – transfers to Liberty
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – is healthy and ready for the season

RBs:

• Bruce Garrett, BYU – enters transfer portal
• SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech – Matt Wells is “cautiously optimistic” he will be able to play in the opener (shoulder), will know more mid-August

WRs & TEs:

• Chancellor Brewington, Northern Arizona – transfers to Nebraska
• TE Logan Christopherson, Missouri – medically retires – 3/47-0
• Chris Coleman, Fresno State – transfers to Cal Poly
• Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech – Matt Wells is “cautiously optimistic” he will be able to play in the opener (arm), will know more mid-August
• Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech – Troy transfer is expected to be an outside receiver
• JJ Holloman, FIU – transfers to Liberty – 8/108-1
• TE Skylar Loving-Black, Iowa State – transfers to San Jose State
• Chabastin Taylor, Kansas State – working way back from torn ACL, should be full-speed by August (19/293-1)
• Mike Wyman, South Carolina – enters portal

There were not any notable new names in the transfer portal but perhaps the two biggest names still in the portal made decisions, with Marcus Carr (Minnesota to Texas) adding to Texas’ impressive off-season transfer haul, and Kofi Cockburn deciding to withdraw from the portal and return to Illinois after previously withdrawing from the NBA Draft.

Also announcing transfer destinations were Kevin Obanor (Oral Roberts to Texas Tech), Danny Ogele (Mercyhurst to Minnesota), & Harrison Henderson (Southern to Central Michigan).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 16-18:

• N/A

Transfer Updates from July 16-18:

• Kofi Cockburn, Illinois – withdraws from portal and will return to Illinois – 17.7 ppg
• Marcus Carr, Minnesota – transfers to Texas – 19.4 ppg
• Trey Doomes, Chattanooga – transfers to Oklahoma Baptist – 9.3 ppg
• Luke Frazier, Dayton – transfers to Ohio – 0.0 ppg
• Harrison Henderson, Southern – transfers to Central Michigan – 8.7 ppg
• Kevin Obanor, Oral Roberts – transfers to Texas Tech – 18.7 ppg
• Danny Ogele, Mercyhurst – transfers to Minnesota (GT) – 10.5 ppg

Fairly quiet on the new transfers front, but announcing transfer destinations were Alanzo Frink (South Carolina to East Carolina), Brison Gresham (Houston to Texas Southern), DeAndre Jones (Central Arkansas to Saint Louis), Sydney Curry (Logan JC to Louisville), Moussa Cisse (Memphis to Oklahoma State), & Jermaine Harris (Rhode Island to New Mexico State).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 14-15:

• Isaiah Ihnen, Minnesota – will have surgery for a season-ending knee injury
• JJ Miles, East Carolina – confirmed to be returning for extra year next season – 9.8 ppg

Transfer Updates from July 14-15:

• Moussa Cisse, Memphis – transfers to Oklahoma State – 6.6 ppg
• Tyree Corbett, Alcorn State – enters portal – 7.8 ppg
• Sydney Curry, Logan JC – will transfer to Louisville, previously de-committed from Kansas
• Alanzo Frink, South Carolina – transfers to East Carolina – 3.3 ppg
• Brison Gresham, Houston – transfers to Texas Southern – 3.0 ppg
• Jermaine Harris, Rhode Island – transfers to New Mexico State – 3.3 ppg
• DeAndre Jones, Central Arkansas – transfers to Saint Louis – 10.5 ppg
• Jamir Moultrie, NC Central – transfers to Kennesaw State – 9.7 ppg, had previously been committed to Western Carolina before re-opening his recruitment

For the first time in around a week there were notable new names in the transfer portal including Montavious Murphy (Kansas State), Brison Gresham (Houston), & Xavier Green (Old Dominion).

Announcing transfer destinations were Ralph Agee (San Jose State to Rutgers), Mikal Starks (Georgia to Portland State), & Andrej Jakimovski (Washington State to Loyola Maryland).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 10-13:

• CJ Fredrick, Kentucky – recent Iowa transfer had a minor surgical procedure according to Coach John Calipari, believed to be on his foot/leg (not specified, dealt with plantar fasciitis last season), expected to be ready for the season

Transfer Updates from July 10-13:

• Ralph Agee, San Jose State – transfers to Rutgers – 11.1 ppg
• Jace Bass, Louisiana Tech – transfers to Cal State Dominguez Hills – 3.7 ppg
• Xavier Green, Old Dominion – enters portal (GT) – 6.7 ppg
• Brison Gresham, Houston – enters portal (GT) – 3.0 ppg
• Andrej Jakimovski, Washington State – transfers to Loyola Maryland – 5.5 ppg
• Montavious Murphy, Kansas State – enters portal – 2.8 ppg
• Isiah Small, Texas State – withdraws from the transfer portal – 10.9 ppg
• Mikal Starks, Georgia – transfers to Portland State – 0.2 ppg

In QB updates, Austin Kendall (West Virginia after beginning at Oklahoma) is transferring to Louisiana Tech where he should compete for the starting job. Kendall was one of the top remaining QBs in the portal. Tevaka Tuioti (New Mexico) is still in limbo for this season after dealing with numerous concussions.

In RB news, Mikey Henderson (Oklahoma H-back) was dismissed from the team as part of the same legal allegations that led to the dismissal of teammates Seth McGowan and Trejan Bridges. Keyon Henry-Brooks (Vanderbilt) will transfer to Louisiana Tech where he should compete to be RB1.

In WR & TE updates, two high-profile transfers found homes with Jake Smith (Texas) being the latest Longhorn to head to USC, and Demetris Robertson staying in the SEC as he went from Georgia to Auburn.

July 1 was the deadline to enter the transfer portal for immediately eligibility this season without a waiver, so entries have slowed down. Notables entering the portal were WR Kam Scott (Houston, formerly Missouri).

Announcing transfer destinations were RB Stephon Huderson (Tulane to McNeese State), WR Jake Smith (Texas to USC), RB Keyon Henry-Brooks (Vanderbilt to Louisiana Tech), WR Jay Brunelle (Notre Dame to Yale), QB Austin Kendall (West Virginia to Louisiana Tech), & WR Demetris Robertson (Georgia to Auburn).

Updates from July 5-11:

QBs:

• Kevin Doyle, Arizona – transfers to William & Mary
• Jalen Hamler, Cal Poly – transfers to San Jose State
• Austin Kendall, West Virginia – transfers to Louisiana Tech – 11/23-164-2
• Gaston Moore, UCF – transfers to Tennessee
• Suddin Sapien, UTSA – transfers to Texas-Permian Basin
• Tevaka Tuioti, New Mexico – after having had 3 concussions he has not yet been cleared or ruled out for this season, a decision is expected to be made by the start of preseason camp

RBs:

• Steele Chambers, Ohio State – appears to have moved to LB
• Micah Cooper, Oklahoma State – transfers to Minnesota State – 7/35-0
• Keyon Henry-Brooks, Vanderbilt – transfers to Louisiana Tech – 120/494-2
• RB/TE Mikey Henderson, Oklahoma – arrest warrant request submitted for same armed robbery that Seth McGowan and Trejan Bridges were dismissed for, was dismissed from the team the same day
• Stephon Huderson, Tulane – transfers to McNeese State
• Trivenskey Mosley, Southern Miss – withdraws from transfer portal – 99/494-1 in 2018, 10/51-0 in 2019
• Jason Williamson, Minnesota – medically retires from football

WRs & TEs:

• Jay Brunelle, Notre Dame – transfers to Yale
• Keith Davis, Arizona State – transfers to Dixie State
• Tyrone Howell, Hutchinson CC – transfers to Kansas State
• Demetris Robertson, Georgia – transfers to Auburn – 12/110-0
• Kam Scott, Houston – enters the transfer portal – 17/328-0 at Mizzou in 2019
• Jake Smith, Texas – transfers to USC – 23/294-3