Which players have already found new homes this offseason, and which are still on the move?
Let’s examine the rising stars and exceptional players that are trying out and transferring.
One of the best tight ends in the country, Yurosek is on his way to play for Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs in Athens.
Yurosek has averaged 108 receptions for 1,342 yards throughout his final three seasons as a starter for the Cardinals. He is expected to replace superstar Brock Bowers, who is leaving for the NFL, in Georgia’s starting lineup.
Jabbar Muhammad, a former Washington CB, has committed to Oregon
Muhammad has announced his transfer to one of Washington’s main opponents, Oregon.
After transferring from Oklahoma State, Muhammad had an outstanding season in Seattle, leading Washington to the College Football Playoff championship game and racking up 46 total tackles, 20 passes defensed, and three interceptions in his role as the team’s top cornerback. The most well-known athlete to leave through the transfer portal is the second-team All-Pac-12 selection, following the departure of Washington head coach DeBoer on January 12 for Alabama.
Former QB Will Rogers of Mississippi State now plays for Washington
Rogers allegedly withdrew from the portal and will remain with the Huskies. Rogers originally committed to Washington outside of the portal but re-entered it once head coach Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama. According to ESPN, Rogers informed Jedd Fisch, the new head coach, of his decision on Tuesday and has since started attending the school again.
After spending his first four seasons at Mississippi State, Rogers now has 12,315 yards to rank second all-time in the SEC’s passing record. He joined the Washington squad during their College Football Playoff run after committing to the school in December. He is still eligible for one more year.
Ohio State signs former Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin
Among the highlights of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s final recruiting class was the much-discussed five-star quarterback recruit from Alabama. After 17 years as the head coach in Tuscaloosa, Saban announced his retirement last week, just as he was starting courses as an early enrollee. According to reports, Sayin has committed to Ohio State, where he will join other former Crimson Tiders on a suddenly strong team in Columbus, including safety Caleb Downs, center Seth McLaughlin, and offensive coach Bill O’Brien.
Kadyn Proctor, a former Alabama offensive lineman, is moving to Iowa
A year ago, Saban & Co. just about defeated Iowa to get Proctor, another former five-star prospect; now, the Iowa State native and former Hawkeyes commit is returning home. As a true freshman in 2023, the 6-foot-8, 365-pound tackle for Alabama started every game. He was named first team Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American.
Ohio State signs former Alabama wide out Caleb Downs
The outstanding rookie defensive back, who left Alabama after Nick Saban retired, is reportedly on his way to Columbus. As a true freshman in the previous season, Downs was among the finest players in the SEC, finishing with 107 total tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble to win SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SEC recognition. In the Rose Bowl against Michigan, he also racked up a team-high eight tackles. Although Georgia was seen as the clear favorite to land Downs, Ryan Day and company managed to pull off the enormous transfer addition.
Austin Mack, a former quarterback for Washington, has moved to Alabama
Mack is the first former Washington player to join Kalen DeBoer at Alabama. He is also the first transfer addition made by DeBoer since taking over as head coach of the Crimson Tide. Mack, a highly anticipated recruit who was first ranked in the Class of 2024, reclassified to the 2023 class and played as a redshirt freshman in DeBoer’s Washington team the previous season.
After Mack revealed his transfer commitment, former Huskies quarterback Brock Huard, a college football commentator for FOX Sports, praised him highly on social media.
Parker Brailsford (OL, Washington), Nate Kalepo, and Julius Buelow
Three-fifths of the offensive line that led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff title game and earned the Joe Moore Award as the top unit in college football the previous season is made up of Brailsford, Kalepo, and Buelow. But all five of those line’s starters have either registered on the transfer portal or, in Troy Fautanu’s and Roger Rosengarten’s situations, filed to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. At least one, if not all three, of the group may move to Tuscaloosa as their former O-line coach, Scott Huff, was among the staff members who followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama.
Alabama wide receiver Downs, Caleb
With Nick Saban’s retirement, the outstanding rookie defensive back is joining the Alabama exodus, according to several reports. As a true freshman in the previous season, Downs was among the finest players in the SEC, finishing with 107 total tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble to win SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SEC recognition. In the Rose Bowl against Michigan, he also racked up a team-high eight tackles. According to reports, Ohio State and Georgia are the front-runners for Downs.
Jonah Coleman, an Arizona running back
During his tenure at Arizona, the 5-foot-9, 220-pound running back amassed 1,550 yards and 10 touchdowns. With three years of eligibility left, he is most likely moving to Washington to follow former Arizona coach Jedd Fisch, according to a number of reports.
Isaiah Bond, WR, Alabama, to Texas
Bond has departed the Crimson Tide receiver room for Texas, according ESPN, with Saban having announced his retirement. In 2023, Bond’s sophomore year, he recorded a team-high 48 receptions for 668 yards and four touchdowns.
