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The transfer portal is an integral part of college football roster construction and its importance is magnified for new coaches. Take a look at some impactful coaching transfers who will be at new schools this fall.
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Alabama-Kalen DeBoer
Taking over for Nick Saban it won’t be easy for Kalen De Boer but he has one of the most talented squads in the country and some key transfers should help him at the start. Receiving Kadyn Proctor back after a few months in Iowa is a big win for the Crimson Tide and they were able to fill the hole left by Caleb Downs when they add Keon Sabb in Michigan.
Desmond Ricks decided to leave Tuscaloosa, but taking Domani Jackson in USC should help. With Dallas Turner for the NFL, a key spot has opened up for a great pass rusher, and Lieutenant Overton must be able to fill out.
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Arizona-Brent Brennan
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Arizona I lost a lot when Jedd Fisch left for washington but the Wildcats also kept most of their key players, so the new coach Brent Brennan There weren’t many gaps to fill on the list. His focus in the transfer portal signing was on the defensive side of the ball.
Arizona brought in defensive line transfer from San Jose State Three Smith, Tennessee linebacker transfer Jack LutrellUC-Davis defensive line transfer Chubba Maae It is Stanford linebacker transfer Lance Keneley hoping to solidify their defense this season.
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Boston College – Bill O’Brien
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Bill O’Brien is back in college football as head coach of the Boston Collegefilling the vacancy left by Jeff Hafleythe game. Much of the portal cycle had already been completed when O’Brien was under his command at Chestnut Hill, but he was still able to add some important pieces.
In defense of the ball, the former Ohio State defenses Ryan Turner It is Cameron Martinez transferred to Boston College. Tight finish Kamari Morales left North Caroline and could end up being an impact player in O’Brien’s offense, which has been good for tight ends in the past.
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Duke – Manny Diaz
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Manny Diaz he came Duke in Penn State after leading one of the best defensive units in the country and getting another chance to coach in the ACC. The Blue Devils have added a number of transfers this cycle, but none are as important or will have as big an impact on Duke’s upcoming season as Malik Murphy.
One of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in recent years, Murphy has incredible upside and was able to showcase that potential in limited action while on the roster. Texas. Duke is certainly a different animal than Texas, but Murphy has the tools to make a big impact in Durham.
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Houston-Willie Fritz
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Willie Fritz arrives at Houston as the Cougars are still trying to gain a foothold in the Big 12. There is a solid base of talent for Fritz to work with, but adding transfers was a necessity.
Maliq Carra tight end who transferred from State of Michigan, is the best of the transfer additions. Defensive forward Everitt Rogers followed Fritz from Tulane to Houston and hopes to continue to play a key role on the defensive line.
Defender Kendre’ Gant left Louisiana-Lafayette for Houston and is in line for a big season this year.
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Indiana – Curt Cignetti
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Former head coach of James Madison Curt Cignetti now leads the Indiana program and several of his former players followed him from Harrisonburg. Defender Aiden Fisherreceiver Elias Sarratttight end Zach Hortondefensive forward Mikail Kamara and linebacker Jailin Walker are just a few of Cignetti’s former players at James Madison who have decided to transfer to Indiana.
Keep an eye on Michigan State’s defensive line transfer Andrew Depaepe and Old Dominion security transfer Shawn Asbury also.
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Michigan-Sherrone Moore
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Sherrone Moore was part of Michigan’s staff last year and was the interim head coach for part of last season, so he isn’t taking over a new team like the other coaches on this list, but he still qualifies for this list as Michigan’s new head coach.
Their program has brought in key transfers on both sides of the ball, but the majority are on defense. Defender Jaishawn Barhama former freshman All-American in Marylandleads the way followed by defensive backs Jaden Mangam, who transferred from Michigan State. Defensive defenses Ricky Johnson (UNLV transfer) and Wesley Walker (transfer from Tennessee) should also be key contributors this season.
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Michigan State – Jonathan Smith
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Jonathan Smith to place Oregon State in a great position last season, but now he’s at Michigan State hoping to rebuild that program and the transfer portal is playing a big role in that process.
Quarterback Aidan Chiles was a star in the making under Smith at Oregon State and he hopes to continue that track at Michigan State. Tight finish Jack Velling was one of the best tight ends in the country last year at Oregon State and should continue this year as a Spartan.
Offensive striker Andrew Dennis signed with Illinois as a member of the 2024 recruiting class, but quickly decided to transfer to Michigan State.
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Mississippi State – Jeff Lebby
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State of Mississippi It hasn’t been the same since the passing of Mike Leach but Jeff Lebby hopes to change things quickly. There is a chance Memphis offensive line transfer Makylan Pounders It is Illinois defensive line transfer Anthony Johnson play important roles in the trenches, while former 50 prospects and Louisville receiver transfer Kevin Coleman hopes to bring more explosiveness to the passing game.
Defender Blanton Stone (South Carolina transfer) and quarterback Blake Shapen (Baylor transfer) could also be important pieces for Mississippi State.
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Oregon State – Trent Bray
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Trent Bray and Oregon State have a tough road ahead, but they’ve worked hard to recharge after losing big this offseason. Former Liberty defender Kobe Singleton expects to play a major role in Oregon State’s secondary next season. Quarterback Gabarri Johnson transferred from Missouri and hopes to get the starting job. Van Wells transferred from Colorado and he is expected to be an important piece on Oregon State’s offensive line this fall.
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Syracuse – Fran Brown
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Frank Brown was named the new head coach of Syracuse at the end of November and started running. The list of impact transfers Syracuse is bringing in is long, but Kyle McCord is at the top of the list. The former Ohio State quarterback arrives in Upstate New York with a lot to prove after last season, but he’s certainly not alone.
McCord will be playing for ex Georgia receiver Zeed Haynes and ex State of Colorado receiver Justus Ross-Simmons. Syracuse’s defense will be very different thanks to the former Texas A&M defensive forward Fadil Diggsold West Virginia Defender James Heard Jr.former Louisville defensive end Marcus Washington Jr.former Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings and many others.
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Texas A&M – Mike Elko
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Texas A&M had a lot of talent on its roster, but lost a lot during the transition from Jimbo Fisher for Mike Elko. Once Elko took over, the Aggies went to work adding key pieces to their roster.
Elite pass rusher Nico Scourton left Purdue to Texas A&M. Talented defense Desmond Ricks ended up at Texas A&M after leaving Alabama. Defender Scooby Williams chose to transfer out Florida and the Aggies added him to their roster.
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UCLA-DeShaun Foster
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UCLA named DeShaun Foster as their head coach in mid-February after most of the top transfer candidates chose their destinations, but the Bruins added some key playmakers to their roster.
Rico Flores had many positives while he was in Notre Dame and he hopes to continue playing at a high level at UCLA. Two transfers on the defensive side of the ball should pay immediate dividends. Former Yale linebacker Jose Vaughn was a highly sought-after transfer target who chose UCLA over several suitors. Talented defensive forward Collins Acheampong decided to leave Miami to UCLA too.
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Washington-Jedd Fisch
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Jedd Fisch turned around the Arizona program in just a few years and now he takes over a Washington team that was just in the national championship but had a depleted roster when he showed up.
Fisch and his staff did a great job addressing some of Washington’s holes, including the quarterback signing. Demon Williams, who just signed with Arizona out of high school. Mississippi State transfer quarterback Rogers decided to stay in Washington after transferring there while the previous team was still in charge.
Like Williams, running back Jonas Coleman and defensive backs Ephesians Prysock followed Fisch from Arizona to Washington. Lime receiver transfer Jeremiah Caçador and defensive end transfer from Miami Jayden Wayne It could also end up impacting Washington actors.
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