Over the last couple of years, the transfer portal has become one of the best ways for young players to change scenery and boost their draft stock. This offseason was maybe the most active transfer portal we have ever seen, and several of the top players in the nation have looked for new homes in hopes of making more money or boosting their draft stock. From players who were top prospects looking to get a fresh start, to players who broke out at small schools and want to prove they can keep up with the highest levels of competition. Today, I made my list of players who will boost their draft stock most from this year’s portal class…
Cam Coleman
Coming out of high school, Coleman was a top 10 draft prospect and the number one high school reciever in the state of Alabama, just in front of Ryan Williams. Coleman committed to Auburn, where he hoped to be a part of a big change for the school, which has not seen a 10-win season since 2017. He made an impact as a freshman, going for just shy of 600 yards and 8 touchdowns, and backed it up this year with 700 and 5 this year. Unfortunately, Auburn remained a five-win team in both of those years, and Coleman’s skills went largely underappreciated. Auburn fired its coach, Hugh Freeze, and the writing was on the wall for Coleman to move on. He transferred to Texas this offseason and will play with Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian who I think will make the most of his skills. Expect him to be a first-round prospect next year.
Lance Heard
Heard is another great example of a high school star who has not quite panned out and is looking for a change this offseason. In the 2023 class, Heard was widely recognized as a top-three tackle coming out of high school, and scouts had hasty projections for what he could do at the next level, with some comparisons to guys like Ronnie Stanley or Andrew Whitworth. Heard committed to LSU out of high school, where he played well across from Will Campbell, but hit the portal hoping to make some more NIL money and secure an LT job. He found his way to Knocksville to play for Tennessee. He has played quite well but has not dominated as many hoped, and he continues to struggle as a pass blocker. Heard now will find his way to Kentucky to play for coach Will Stein, the former OC at Oregon who has organized one of the best offenses in the nation over the last half-decade.
Nick Marsh
One of the lesser-known stars who entered the portal this offseason after two impressive years, Marsh was a four-star prospect who chose to stay close to home to begin his college career. Marsh grew up an hour away from MSU and wanted to be a part of change for the Spartans as they looked to recover from the Mel Tucker situation. The Spartans won 9 combined games over the last two years, and after Jonathan Smith was fired, Marsh decided to look for a new home. He landed with the reigning champs, staying close to home and in the Big 10, but looking to flash his skills on a winning team. I expect a breakout year for Marsh playing on a much more well-rounded offense, where he will get a bit less attention from defenses.
Keon Keeley
Anyone who keeps up with high school football prospects knows the name Keeley. In 2023, Keeley was almost unanamously the highest graded non-quarterback prospect in the nation. To say things have not panned out for Keeley would be an understatement, and finally this offseason, he decided to leave Alabama. When Keeley committed to Alabama, he agreed to play for legendary coach Nick Saban, but stayed loyal to the program even after his retirement. Through three years (one redshirt as a freshman) Keeley has totaled 16 tackles and three sacks all of which came last season. But the stat sheet does not tell the whole tale by any stretch, and this season Keeley really came around. Notre Dame needed EDGE talent this offseason and Keeley brings them just that. He becomes the top DE on the Fighting Irish roster and finally get his chance to showcase what he can do.
Davin Martin
Martin may be a deep dive for some people, bit I really liked what I saw from him when I watched him against Texas A&M week one and South Florida. He is an incredible athlete who comes in at 6’2/180 and has a background in track and likely runs around a 4.3 forty yard dash. UTSA has put out some athletic corners including Tariq Woolen and Zah Frazier over the last couple years, and Martin seemed to be the next in line. This offseason he hit the portal and made the move to Texas Tech where he will immediately become a major part of their secondary. I expect him to break out with the Red Raiders and will work his way onto draft boards this offseason.
DJ McKinney
I was a fan of McKinney prior to the start of the season and thought he had the potential to be a top 50 pick after his play at Colorado last season. But this year, the Buffs took a step back and McKinney had to feel the effects of it. He hit the portal and is now headed to Notre Dame, where he will play across from Leonard Moore who is probably the best corner in the nation. McKinney will be tested next season, but he joins a strong defense at Notre Dame where he hopes to show why he can be a top draft prospect.
