The coin hasn’t even been flipped on the first bowl game of the year and it’s already been one of the most tumultuous off seasons in recent memory. Between the coaching changes and active transfer portal, we are in for a wild offseason.
Thirteen different Power 5 schools will have new head coaches going forward. Some changes were caused by controversy (Ed Orgeron, LSU), and underperformance (Clay Helton, USC). Some were chasing a fat paycheck (Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma to USC) or SEC prestige (Brian Kelly, Notre Dame to LSU).
In the past, coaching changes and being buried on a depth chart, would occasionally prompt talented young men to transfer from their school at a price. To gain more exposure or to follow their coach to a new team, they would sacrifice a year of their college careers. But with new transfer rules, that do not take away a year of eligibility, the proverbial flood gates have opened wide.
Highly touted pro prospects, Heisman hopefuls and number one recruits have all taken their talents elsewhere for a variety of reasons. And unlike in years past, they can contribute to their new squads immediately. Today we’re going to highlight some of the most high profile players in the transfer portal, the reason they left, and their chances of reclaiming their promising careers.
While we will only be covering three of the student athletes hitting the transfer portal this off-season, there are tons of talented young men taking their talents elsewhere.
Michael Penix Jr. QB : Indiana to Washington
Dillon Gabriel QB : UCF to UCLA
Eli Ricks CB : LSU to Alabama
Jadon Hasslewood WR : Oklahoma to Arkansas
Max Johnson QB : LSU to Texas A&M
Kingsley Suamataia OT : Oregon to BYU
Bo Nix QB : Auburn to Oregon
Zach Evans RB : TCU to undecided
Spencer Rattler
Oklahoma to South Carolina
Spencer Rattler had the world by the horns coming into this season. He was the pre-season Heisman favorite, the projected number one pick, and had the Sooners in the mix for the college football playoffs. His promising sophomore campaign had pundits and fans alike waiting to see what his junior year would bring. That hype train never even left the station.
Rattler started off the season with a sub-par performance against a dreadful Tulane (2-10) squad. While he completed 76 percent of his passes for 300 yards, he threw two crucial interceptions that kept Tulane in the the game. With star recruit Caleb Williams waiting in the background, Rattler was feeling the heat.
If you looked at the box score you would see that Rattler was steady, but very unimpressive in his next few starts. Excluding his five touchdown performance against Western Carolina of the FCS, he had five touchdowns to five interceptions. For an offense that has produced three NFL starting quarterbacks in the last four years, unimpressive and steady aren’t acceptable.
This all culminated in his benching after going down big to the Texas Longhorns in the sixth game of the year. Caleb Williams took the ball, brought the Sooners back in a dramatic victory, and led them to 10 wins. All the while Rattler sat and watched his draft and Heisman hopes go down the drain.
While he kept his intentions close to the vest for the rest of the season, it’s not much of a surprise to see him in the transfer portal. What is surprising is his decision to join the South Carolina Gamecocks. I guess if there is a place to prove you still have NFL level chops, the SEC is the place to prove it.
The sky is the limit for Rattler if he can capitalize on his talent. His ability to extend plays and release from awkward angles is unmatched. He has very good accuracy, and has the zip to make most throws. He can make some questionable decisions with the ball, which led to his benching; but if they can be corrected he can get back into the upper echelon of college quarterbacks.
He will face an uphill battle, South Carolina is a rebuilding program. He will also be going into a situation where his top receiver (Dakerion Joyner) posted a paltry 24-221-1 stat line last season. Only time will tell if his decision to hit the transfer portal will turn him into Joe Burrow or JT Daniels.
Kedon Slovis
USC to Undecided
Kedon Slovis came into this season projected to be one of best quarterbacks in his draft class. No less than 8 media outlets had him pegged as a top 10 draft pick
I was one of his biggest proponents having him ranked as my QB2 in the preseason big board ahead of the aforementioned Spencer Rattler as well as Malik Willis and Carson Strong. He did everything in his power to make me look silly.
His regression was notable on the stat sheet. His touchdown to turnover ratio was horrendous (11:8) his completion percentage, yards per attempts, and quarterback rating were all lows. He never looked comfortable out on the field this year. It could’ve been just standard run of the mill regression, or it could’ve been a terrible head coach and an impatient fan base getting to his head.
Despite his nose dive on the stat sheet Slovis still has a pretty substantial amount of believers. They look at the first 18 games of his college career where he threw for 5,400 yards, 47 touchdowns and completed nearly 69% of his passes. They look at his supreme footwork, ability to thrive at a storied program, and his NFL ready arm. They look at his nearly 8% drop rate on catchable passes and his unsteady offensive line.
When Lincoln Riley was hired, I like many assumed that he was the medicine to fix all of the ills facing Slovis. Riley is known as a quarterback whisperer of sorts, producing NFL talent at the position regularly. I’m unsure if Spencer Rattlers downturn this year scared Slovis off the Lincoln Riley hype train, but regardless he entered the transfer portal.
Slovis is still undecided as to where he will play ball next year. No matter where he decides to go, it’s all but assured he will take the starting job. He is too naturally gifted to not get that chance, and honestly why would he go somewhere else to ride the bench? As of now reports have him going to either his home state Arizona or staying in state and going to Cal.
The truth of the matter is that Slovis has all of the tools to succeed in college and at the NFL level. He is a leader, a heady football player, has great size, and superb ball placement. If he turns it around in his senior year, he could make his new team very happy and insert himself back into the elite quarterback conversation.
Quinn Ewers
Ohio State to Texas
It’s odd to see a player transferring who hasn’t even taken a snap at the college level. It’s even odder to see one of the most highly touted prospects of the century transfer; but Quinn Ewers did just that.
Quinn Ewers journey to the Longhorns has been a bit of a saga. Regarded and graded as a “perfect prospect” coming out of high school, he was one of only 6 players ever to receive the elusive 1.000 rating on 247sports.com. Ewers graduated a full year early to get his college career started and NIL paychecks cashed.
After receiving offers from a who’s who of prestigious universities, he opted to stay close to home and committed to the Texas Longhorns….. for all of about two months. Soon after rescinding his commitment, Ewers committed to Ohio State in the hopes of winning the job in a very quarterback friendly Ryan Day offense. His late arrival to campus, and CJ Stroud’s performance relegated Ewers to the bench. He didn’t see a single snap all season.
With Stroud leading the Buckeyes to 10 wins, a Rose Bowl appearance, and turning himself into a Heisman finalist; the odds of Ewers becoming the starter in Columbus looked bleak. Than on December 3rd he decided to enter the transfer portal. Going back to his original commitment with the Texas Longhorns.
So now that we covered the odyssey of Mr. Ewers. What makes him such an intriguing player? Well as I mentioned earlier, he achieved a prospect rating that neither Trevor Lawerence or Andrew Luck achieved. Ewers has a pro ready body standing at 6’3 with very good athleticism. He sees the field well beyond his years and always seems to make the right play.
He was the definition of dominant for Southlake Carroll High School; throwing for 6,400 yards, 73 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions in 25 games. To add a little spice, he completed his passes at a 70% clip and ran for another 12 touchdowns in those 25 games.
As a pure passer, Ewers is excellent. He has a consistent throwing motion that looks effortless, even on longer throws where some younger quarterbacks have a lapse in mechanics. His drops are quick and he has essentially no wind-up. Everything happens in one fluid movement which allows him to get the ball and quickly and put it exactly where it needs to be.
His ball placement is arguably his greatest skill. He has fantastic touch on his back shoulder fades and pinpoint accuracy on his throws underneath. He always throws to the spot and trusts his receivers to be where the play intended. His anticipation right now is better than a chunk of starting NFL QBs.
Nobody will confuse his arm strength with Brett Favre, but he is not short on arm strength. Ewers will have no issue making any throw required of him, from deep balls to slants to outs. He has great zip on his ball, with what seems like a flick of the wrist. Not to mention he is still growing physically and as a football player, so his arm strength will certainly grow with him.
As a runner, Ewers has the ability to tuck it and go at any time. He will beat most lineman and linebackers in a foot race, in today’s game that’s a great asset. Though he’s a superb athlete, he often chooses not to run. When you’re the best athlete on the field, human nature will tell you to outrun your opponent. He fights that urge, hangs in the pocket and delivers strikes.
When he does leave his spot, he has an uncanny ability to scramble to safety, set his feet and let loose. There isn’t much tape on him making off balance, back foot throws; but his compact throwing motion and natural arm strength lead me to believe he will have no issues in that department.
So I’ve gushed long enough, the secret is out. I’m frustratingly a hardcore Longhorns fan. I’ve been hearing for nearly a decade that “Texas is back” to no avail. Pining for the hope and excitement I felt watching Ricky Williams, Vince Young and Colt McCoy. This kid hitting the transfer portal and coming back to Austin could be just what the doctor ordered for the once proud program. If Sark and Co. can maximize this kids potential not only will the Longhorns be fighting for Big12 titles, they’ll be fighting for a playoff birth.