Tag: 2022 transfer portal

BREAKING: Auburn receiver Tar’Varish Dawson hits the transfer portal

Make that three consecutive days of Auburn transfers:

Tic tac toe, three in a row.

Another Auburn player has hit the transfer portal — this time, it’s freshman wide receiver [autotag]Tar’Varish Dawson[/autotag]. Dawson is the third Auburn player to enter the portal in as many days, following the footsteps of defensive lineman Zykeivous Walker and wide receiver and tight end Landen King.

Dawson has only seen playing time in two games this year, and neither of them was against Power 5 competition. He’s had a reception each against Mercer and San Jose State, so far only amassing 30 yards in receiving. With that in mind, it makes sense that Dawson would look to enter the portal to get more playing time, but the timing of all three players (so far) could be alarming for Auburn fans, as the Tigers’ depth would run thinner if more players were to follow.

Dawson was listed on Auburn’s depth chart against Arkansas this weekend and was thus slated to be with the team in Jordan-Hare, but it is currently unclear if he will still do so on Saturday.

BREAKING: Landen King enters transfer portal

King appeared in three games this year.

Another Auburn player has elected to enter the transfer portal.

This time, its wide receiver and tight end [autotag]Landen King[/autotag], who most notably caught Auburn’s first touchdown pass in overtime in its loss to the Crimson Tide in 2021. The Texas native said he plans to enter the portal on Dec. 5.

King hasn’t seen too much action this year, which may be a contributing factor in his decision. He’s played in three games but caught just one pass so far in 2022, which was a 24-yard reception against Penn State. His trajectory is a major step down from last year, where he played in eight games and caught five passes for 59 yards, one of which was that touchdown pass against Alabama.

With the announcement, King is now the second player to transfer out of the program in as many days after defensive lineman [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag] announced his intent to transfer on Monday.

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Auburn defensive lineman hits the transfer portal

Zykeivous Walker was reportedly no longer a part of the team as of this Monday.

A depth piece on Auburn’s defensive line is moving on.

Tigers defensive lineman [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag] was reported to be no longer on the roster on Monday, and now it would seem as if he’s still intent on playing football. Walker announced on his Twitter that he plans on hitting the transfer portal.

This is the first action for Auburn in the transfer wire for quite some time. According to 247Sports, the last activity for the Tigers on the transfer portal was on May 1 of 2022 when tight end Grant Hidalgo transferred from Illinois to Auburn. Hidalgo is on the roster at Auburn, but has thus far not played any snaps in for the Tigers.

Walker, however, has. He last played in four games for the Tigers in 2021 and has recorded a career total of 20 tackles and a sack. Walker did not name an exact reason for him wanting to transfer, but he’ll now look to get a second chance on a new team after entering the portal.

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McKade Mettauer ranked as one of the top 5 most impactful OL transfers for 2022 per On3 Sports

Brought into to help fill the void created by Marquis Hayes’ departure for the NFL, McKade Mettauer is among the top OL transfers in 2022 per On3.

Every team goes through a certain amount of turnover in college football. It’s the nature of the beast. Players graduate, declare for the NFL draft or find a new home via the transfer portal. The Sooners have been one of the bigger beneficiaries of the transfer portal over the last decade and will benefit greatly again in 2022.

Arriving in Norman via the portal this offseason was California Golden Bears offensive lineman McKade Mettauer. Mettauer, a three-year starter for Cal, played more than 1,700 snaps during his tenure. It would have been more if not for the COVID-shortened Pac-12 season in 2020.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was clear about the Sooners’ intentions when they brought in Mettauer.

“You know, who knows how he’ll contribute right now, but really, really good first impression. We didn’t bring him in here to be a backup. Now, obviously, he’s got to earn it. We’ll see. He started, I want to say, 30-something games at Cal. Obviously had a bunch of tape to study. Knew him from high school. We didn’t recruit him out of high school, but he’s really developed. Extremely smart kid, tough kid. He’s competitive. He’s doing all the right things right now. So, we’ll see once we get the pads on,” Bedenbaugh said.

Nothing changed the expectation that Mettauer is the starting left guard for the Oklahoma Sooners, replacing Marquis Hayes, who’s now with the Arizona Cardinals. And with an opportunity to start and play significant snaps, there’s an expectation that Mettauer will be one of the most impactful offensive line transfers in 2022.

On3’s Mike Huguenin has been going position-by-position, ranking the top transfers for the 2022 season, and McKade Mettauer comes in at No. 4. Here’s what Hugueinin had to say.

The skinny: McKade Mettauer was a three-year starter for Cal before he entered the transfer portal. Mettauer, who is from the Houston area, played in 27 games at Cal and started the final 26 of them. Mettauer (6-4, 303) was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in 2021 and had a strong spring in OU’s revamped offense. Oklahoma had some issues running inside last season, and the hope is that Mettauer can help in that regard. – Mike Hugenin, On3 Sports

In 414 pass block snaps in 2021, Mettauer allowed just 11 pressures and zero sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to replace two starters on their offensive line in 2022. If Mettauer can be the player they’re hoping for, it would solidify a group that is still looking for its right tackle ahead of the 2022 season.

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Oklahoma’s Jeffery Johnson projected to be the No. 2 defensive line transfer for 2022 by On3 Sports

Projecting which defensive line transfers will be the most impactful for 2022, On3 Sports ranked Jeffery Johnson second.

In recent history, the Oklahoma Sooners have done fantastic work acquiring players via the transfer portal to play significant roles on the team. The quarterback additions of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and now Dillon Gabriel have helped the Sooners maintain their status as one of the top programs in college football.

And while Dillon Gabriel has to take a snap for the Sooners, his move to Norman is part of what provides the optimism that the Sooners can contend in 2022. But he’s not all. The Sooners made several additions on both sides of the football that will have a significant impact in 2022.

Look no further than defensive tackle Jeffery Johnson, the transfer from Tulane.

Johnson isn’t the same type of defensive tackle that we’ve seen in recent years with Neville Gallimore, Perrion Winfrey, and even Jalen Redmond. Johnson is a space-eater and people mover who will be disruptive on the interior, making life difficult for opposing guards and centers. His presence will make life easier on the linebacker corp as they look to fill from the second level in the running game and Jalen Redmond as teams have to send two blockers Johnson’s way.

Projecting who will be the most impactful transfers at each position in the 2022 season, Jeffery Johnson was ranked No. 2 among defensive linemen by On3 Sports’ Mike Huguenin.

The skinny: Jeffery Johnson was a four-year starter at nose tackle for Tulane, including as a true freshman in 2018, before entering the transfer portal. Johnson (6-2, 313) had 44 tackles last season, along with five tackles for loss, and had 33 tackles and six TFL in 2020. OU is looking to rebuild its defensive line under new coach Brent Venables, and Johnson gives Venables and new DC Ted Roof an experienced plug-and-play guy. Johnson had a good spring for the Sooners and could end up starting next to holdover Jalen Redmond; if he doesn’t start, he’ll still be an important part of the rotation. – Huguenin, On3 Sports

In 42 games over four seasons with the Green Wave, Johnson accumulated 135 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Against the Sooners in 2021, Johnson had six total tackles and a tackle for loss, providing a challenge for the Oklahoma offensive line.

And while he’ll make his presence known mostly as a run defender, Johnson has the ability to get after the quarterback as well. In 2021, he was tied for fourth in total pressures for Tulane, according to Pro Football Focus.

Playing with improved talent along the defensive line, Johnson should be able to make a far greater impact. Simply his presence will make things difficult on opposing rushing attacks as his 330-pound frame won’t be easily moved. That size and strength on the interior will be a welcomed addition for the Oklahoma Sooners to kick off the Brent Venables era in Norman.

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Which transfer players are the safest bets to contribute in 2022

This transfer class seems different than any group of transfers to Texas in recent memory.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was active in improving the team through the transfer portal in 2022. Adding transfer players is not a new practice, but this class seemed different than any group of transfers in recent memory.

First off, Sarkisian brought in a number of proven players. In fact, nearly every player has contributed significantly to their past team.

In past years, Texas fans bought into the transfer hype for more than one player who showed promise on the field. Tarik Black was lauded for his high school upside and early production, but it never translated to the field at Texas.

Heading into the 2022 season, let’s take a look at which players you can expect to contribute immediately on the Forty Acres, on a scale of 1-10.

All-American Texas A&M catcher Haley Lee enters the transfer portal

Looking to reload for the 2023 season, should the Sooners target Texas A&M catcher Haley Lee, who recently entered the transfer portal?

The Oklahoma Sooners softball team has already made a couple of splashes in the 2022 transfer portal as they reload for the 2023 season. They’ve added former Michigan pitcher [autotag]Alex Storako[/autotag] and shortstop [autotag]Alynah Torres[/autotag] from Arizona State.

Storako will fill the void felt by the departure of [autotag]Hope Trautwein[/autotag] while it’s likely Torres moves from shortstop to third base with reigning defensive player of the year [autotag]Grace Lyons[/autotag] expected to return to OU.

Those additions will be impact players for the Oklahoma Sooners, but why stop there? Oklahoma could add another player to their ranks and one that could help fill the void left by the departed home run queen, [autotag]Jocelyn Alo[/autotag]. And that player is [autotag]Haley Lee[/autotag] from Texas A&M.

According to Extra Inning Softball, Lee has entered her name into the transfer portal.

Lee, a 2022 second-team All-American, led the Aggies in batting average, home runs, and RBIs in 2022, hitting .405 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs. She also added 50 walks to her ledger, displaying discipline at the plate. She helped the Aggies reach the regional round of the NCAA tournament.

In the first regional matchup between Oklahoma and Texas A&M, Trautwein was dealing as the Sooners led 3-0. Things got a little tighter with one swing of the bat as Lee launched a two-run home run to cut the lead to one in the sixth inning. Oklahoma won the game, but Lee made her presence felt with the two-run bomb.

Lee plays catcher for Texas A&M but could also slide into the designated player role departed by Jocelyn Alo. Kinzie Hansen returns for the Sooners at catcher, but Patty Gasso platooned her and Lynnsie Elam in that role in 2022.

Haley Lee is a player to watch in the transfer portal and with her credentials could land anywhere in the country. You can never have too much hitting in your lineup and Lee would bring another formidable bat to the Sooners.

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Former Auburn player finds third NCAA home

This former Auburn running back is continuing his transfer journey by heading out west.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote that it’s not about the destination, but the journey — and for one former Tigers player, that statement rings final in both respects.

Running back [autotag]D.J. Williams[/autotag], who previously played at both Auburn and Florida State, has found a third college home with the Arizona Wildcats. Williams’ trek to Tuscon, Arizona, will be the last of his career, as he was a redshirt junior in 2021.

Williams’ trip around the country began at the Plains, where he played 19 games and rushed for 599 yards and five touchdowns over his two years with the Tigers from 2019 to 2020. He got far more playing time in the former year than the matter, getting 84 attempts in 2019 and only 38 in 2020. After that, he transferred to the Florida State Seminoles where he barely had any playing time — he only managed 10 carries across six games in the 2021 season.

His landing spot with the Wildcats will be one he hopes can deliver him the production he’s been seeking over his entire college career. This will also be the furthest west the Florida native has played, so perhaps a change of scenery will benefit the senior running back as he tries to find stability after his career with the Tigers.

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2022 Transfer Profile: Koy Moore

Koy Moore is Auburn’s ninth addition through the transfer portal this offseason.

Auburn was dangerously thin at wide receiver during spring practice, having just seven scholarship wide receivers on campus.

Bryan Harsin and the rest of the coaching staff knew they needed to land multiple wide receivers from the transfer portal and with the addition of [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] they have done just that.

Moore, a transfer from LSU, committed to the Tigers Saturday night and is the second receiver to transfer in this offseason, following former Miami wide receiver [autotag]Dazalin Worsham[/autotag].

Moore had a strong freshman season but fell out of the rotation as a sophomore and decided to enter the portal. He has three years of eligibility remeaning and brings speed to the wide receiver position.

He will have a chance to earn a starting spot at wide receiver as Auburn overhauls the positions under position coach Ike Hilliard.

Here is what you need to know about Auburn’s latest addition at wide receiver.

Statistics (At LSU)

Year GP REC YDS AVG TDs
2020 10 22 177 8.0 0
2021 6 5 71 14.2 0

Vitals

Hometown Kenner, Louisiana
Projected Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-0
Weight 190
Class 2020

Timeline

  • Enrolled at LSU on June 3, 2020
  • Entered the transfer portal on Oct. 19, 2021
  • Transferred to Auburn on June 4, 2022

Photos

Transfer wide receiver taking official visit to Auburn

Auburn has a chance to improve its receiving room with this new visit.

The Tigers’ receiving room may be getting a much-needed boost.

Former LSU Tiger Koy Moore, who entered the Transfer Portal in October of last year, will be taking an official visit to Auburn this weekend according to On3 sports. Chances for Auburn could be looking good, as 247Sports currently has its Transfer Portal Crystal Ball set on Auburn with one prediction.

Moore was unable to get the playing time and production he wanted at LSU. His best season in Baton Rouge was his first one, where he played eight games and caught 22 passes for 177 yards and no touchdowns. He only played three games for LSU last year, catching just five passes for 71 yards and no touchdowns.

With the mysteries surrounding Auburn’s wide receiver room and no clear No. 1 option, Moore could find exactly the production he is seeking at The Plains and would be able to stay in the SEC as an Auburn Tiger. What’s more, he could have the chance to play his former team in a revenge game when the Tigers go to play LSU in 2022 and beyond.

It’s very likely that coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] will pull out all the stops to bring Moore to the Plains, as any improvement in the receiving room will help whoever starts for the Tigers at quarterback come this fall.

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