LOOKING AHEAD: 5 POTENTIAL offseason PORTAL ENTRIES

Looking Ahead: 5 Potential Offseason Portal Entries

The portal window opens in 6 weeks. Preview some of of this cycles biggest potential entries to start the year

George MacIntyre OR Faizon Brandon, QB, Tennessee

Depending on how this season ends up, I expect one of the two Tennessee quarterbacks to enter the transfer portal. George MacIntyre took over for Faizon Brandon vs Auburn and looked much better. Faison totaled 0 passing yards on an inefficient 3 for 8 passing and an interception.

Against Alabama a week ago, MacIntyre led the Vols to a commanding victory. Faizon may see his grip on the starting job slip away soon if MacIntyre can keep winning.

Drake Lindsey, QB, Minnesota

There are three main reasons for players to hit the portal: they are concerned about their playing time, they want to transfer to a better team, or there is a coaching change. Lindsey would fall under the category of wanting to transfer to a better team, in order to obtain a stronger NIL deal. While Lindsey is NFL Draft eligible, there is a solid chance he stays in college for another year, in order to improve his draft stock and avoid this season’s elite quarterback class. Lindsey is currently ranked as the 11th best quarterback prospect by ESPN. I would expect Lindsey to see demand from many elite teams that need a quarterback after this season, like Texas, Miami, Notre Dame and Indiana.

Malik Washington, QB, Maryland

Malik Washington would be an example of the third category for entering the transfer portal: a coaching change. At this rate, Mike Locksley is almost guaranteed to be fired by Maryland, and this would leave Washington, a highly rated recruit out of high school, with a new head coach. Washington has thrown for 1600+ yards in six games with the Terrapins this year. He was also their starter for last season, where he threw for nearly 3,000 passing yards as a true freshman. Like Lindsey, I would expect many high profile teams to target Washington in the portal, especially due to his experience against top tier competition.

KJ Duff, WR, Rutgers

Rutgers is having an absolutely disastrous season, which is unfortunate because they have one of the most talented receivers in the entire country. He has totaled 741 receiving yards (6th in the nation) and 9 touchdowns (3rd in the nation) for the 2-4 Scarlet Knights.

He is currently a projected early to mid Day 2 NFL Draft pick, so there is a great chance he returns for another year, in order to receive top-tier NIL compensation and increase his draft stock. Expect teams like Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State to be after Duff, who would almost certainly be the top portal wide receiver.

Luke Wafle, EDGE, USC

Wafle is the closest thing we have seen to a Bosa Brother since they graduated college. He is a true freshman for USC, who was the #1 ranked EDGE in this year’s class, along with being the #7 ranked overall recruit. He has been great so far for the weak USC defense, totaling 19 tackles, 2 sacks, and three pass deflections.

There is certainly a chance Lincoln Riley will be fired after this season, which would further increase his chance of hitting the portal. Either way, it won’t take long for the star-studded USC roster to realize that this defense will never be good under Lincoln Riley, no matter their defensive coordinator or roster. If Wafle were to hit the portal he would certainly command attention from any team that could realistically get him.

Other Possibilities

Jayden Maiava, QB, USC (if he doesn’t declare for the NFL Draft)

LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (if he doesn’t declare for the NFL Draft)

Aneyes Williams, RB, Notre Dame

Jesse Legree, WR, Oregon State

Xavier Lewis, DL, North Carolina

Kingston Lopa, DB, California

Brent Gordon Jr., CB, Louisiana