Alabama Football: The Transfer Portal has changed CFB. Several schools are reaping benefits for the 2021 season, while the Tennessee Vols are the big loser.
The CFB Transfer Portal is great for players like former Alabama football player, Ben Davis. Davis struck it out in Tuscaloosa for a long time, never complained and worked to improve. Seeking the option of another school for playing time at the end of his college career makes sense. No Alabama football fan wishes anything but the best for Davis and others seeking transfers, like linebacker Ale Kaho.
The Portal has negative side effects as well. In some ways, it has turned college football into a free-agent market. In the post-Portal years, quarterbacks move frequently, often after just a single season at their original school. Every year the number of players in the Portal goes up. The numbers are so high, some players will be left without a new school and without a scholarship.
The big Portal loser in the 2021 cycle is the Tennesee Volunteers. There have been media reports the Vols have had 28 players seeking exit via the Portal. Officially, the school says 13 players have found new teams in the Portal, while five more are still looking for a team.
Player turnover is common when head coaches change, but the damage in Knoxville is unusually large. The Vols have a couple of transfer gains. 247Sports ranked the top 50 Portal transfers and the Vols gained one of them. He is former Auburn Tiger defensive end, Big Kat Bryant, rated No. 49.
The Vols lost quarterbacks Jarrett Guarantano and J. T. Shrout to transfer while adding former 4-Star QB, Hendon Hooker. Hooker will be available for the 2021 season. After losing key running backs, Eric Gray and Ty Chandler, plus LB Henry To’o To’o, offensive lineman, Wanya Morris and safety Key Lawrence, the Vols will look to bring in more transfers.
Florida, Oklahoma, Florida State and Southern Cal are the biggest transfer winners so far. The Gators added TE Arik Gilbert (LSU) who is No. 1 on the 247Sports transfer list. Florida also added No. 2 on the list, RB, Demarkcus Bowman and No. 33, DT Antonio Shelton from Penn State.
Oklahoma benefitted from Tennesee’s struggles adding RB Eric Gray (No. 4), OT Wanya Morris (No. 7) and Safety Key Lawrence, No. 9.
Florida State and USC are not bringing quite as much top talent, but the Noles are gaining four of the top 50, while the Trojans are adding three. One of those new Trojans is former Alabama football, defensive lineman, Ishmael Sopsher (No. 47).
The Kentucky Wildcats get a boost bringing former Nebraska wide receiver, Wan’Dale Robinson (No. 5). LSU is getting immediate defensive help in Mike Jones (No. 6), graduate transfer from Clemson.
The Miami Hurricanes are adding No. 8, former Georgia cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson, along with WR, Charleston Rambo (No. 19).
Alabama Football has been quiet, mainly due to the lack of available slots. It is expected Nick Saban would find room for To’o To’o should he choose the Crimson Tide.