Transfer Tuesday: Five new key names in transfer portal
The introduction of the transfer portal last year has changed the way players move across college football programs. With that in mind, Rivals.com will breakdown a transfer related topic each week. Today we look at this week’s most notable entrants into the transfer portal.
As a recruit: One of the top defensive backs in the state of Texas, Carter initially committed to Texas A&M over Oklahoma. Carter appeared bound for College Station, but a last minute change of heart saw him flip to Alabama just two weeks before the early signing period.
At Alabama: Carter saw spot duty in his first year on campus with the Tide, playing in three games this season and recording one tackle. After being suspended for a violation of team rules for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State, Carter announced his plans to transfer Monday night. He will have at least four years of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Potential landing spots: Texas A&M seems to make the most sense for Carter, especially given his familiarity with the staff. If it’s not with the Aggies, expect him to look at other in-state options like SMU or Houston.
As a recruit: A four-star in the class of 2018, Battle initially committed to Oregon and seemed locked in with the Ducks. But when then-coach Willie Taggart left to take a job at Florida State, Battle re-opened his recruitment and later landed at Ole Miss.
At Ole Miss: Battle redshirted his first year on campus in 2018 and entered 2019 with high expectations. But those expectations didn’t turn into production as Battle caught just two passes for 20 yards this season. He entered the portal last week and will have at least two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Potential landing spots: Houston, Mississippi State. Battle’s main recruiter at Oregon, Marcus Arroyo, is still with the Ducks, but it’s highly unlikely to see the two reunite. Instead, Battle will likely head close to home and that’s why Houston should be in the mix. Mississippi State could take a look to, as Oregon’s former wide receivers coach Michael Johnson is now with the Bulldogs.
As a recruit: Gregory fielded offers from all over the country but eventually committed to Ole Miss over Arkansas and several others.
At Ole Miss: Gregory suffered a torn ACL during his senior year of high school and spent his freshman season in 2018 rehabilitating. Gregory saw the field plenty this season, catching six passes for 127 yards, but with the Rebels offense changing as the year went along, Gregory also elected to enter the portal late last week. He will have at least two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Potential landing spots: South Carolina, North Carolina, Appalachian State. It would make sense for Gregory to return back to the Carolinas and his former offensive coordinator, Phil Longo, is now at North Carolina.
As a recruit: Njoku jumped at the chance to follow in his older brother’s footsteps, committing to Miami during the summer prior to his senior year and sticking with the Canes despite a late push from Tennessee.
At Miami: Njoku couldn’t live up to the expectations of Miami fans after arriving in Coral Gables. He redshirted in 2017, caught just one pass for 11 yards in 2018 and had played just three snaps in 2019 before announcing his transfer last week. Njoku was recruited to play receiver, but had recently been moved to tight end. He will have at least one year of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Potential landing spots: Georgia, UCLA, Rutgers. Njoku should have plenty of options and a reunion with his former coach Todd Hartley at Georgia shouldn’t be ruled out. Njoku’s younger brother, Charles, is currently a freshman at UCLA and Rutgers could become a factor given he is from New Jersey and the Scarlett Knights next coach will be looking to load the roster with talent.
As a recruit: Crawford committed to Oklahoma over Texas A&M and several others during the summer prior to his senior year. The Sooners held onto his commitment despite a late charge from Arkansas.
At Oklahoma: Crawford came in with the plan to play wide receiver in the Sooners wide-open offense, but found playing time hard to come by as he was buried behind several other talented playmakers. He moved to defense this season and saw limited action and didn’t record any statistics. He will at least two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Potential landing spots: Arizona. It’s tough to say where Crawford might end up, especially since his second choice as a recruit, Arkansas, will have a new coaching staff. Arizona makes sense thanks to his long-term relationship with Kevin Sumlin and the Wildcats' need for playmakers.
