Tag: 2025 Transfer Portal

Highly-touted transfer cornerback Raion Strader commits to Auburn

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA entered the transfer portal this winter following two very solid seasons in the MAC

Former Miami (OH) cornerback Raion Strader has reportedly committed to join the Auburn Tigers next season. Strader, who led the nation with 20 passes defended this season, helped lead the Red Hawks to a MAC Championship appearance this season despite an 0-3 start to the 2024 campaign.

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA entered the transfer portal this winter following two very solid seasons in the MAC. Although he did not receive much interest from Division 1 schools during his high school recruitment process, the incoming junior developed into a very important piece for the Red Hawks as soon as he stepped onto campus. 247 Sports ranked him as the No. 5 cornerback in the current transfer cycle, ultimately giving him a four-star recruit ranking after he spent his high school career unranked.

In two seasons with Miami (OH), the 6-foot, 182-pound defensive back registered 30 passes defended, 110 total tackles, and 3 interceptions. He was able to accumulate at least 2 passes defended in four of his team’s final six games this season, including one in the MAC Championship against Ohio.

While current starting cornerbacks Kayin Lee and Jay Crawford are highly unlikely to cede snaps in the defensive backfield next season, Strader should have the opportunity to compete for playing time at either cornerback or safety in what is expected to be one of the youngest defensive back groupings in the conference.

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Auburn lands Virginia Tech transfer Xavier Chaplin

Chaplin aims to earn a starting spot within Auburn’s offensive line in 2025.

Virginia Tech offensive lineman [autotag]Xavier Chaplin[/autotag] committed to the Auburn Tigers on Sunday from the transfer portal. The 6-7, 323-pound offensive tackle started every game for the Hokies over the last two seasons after redshirting his freshman campaign in 2022.

A former three-star recruit, Chaplin has outperformed projections significantly during his college career. 247 Sports ranked the South Carolina native as the second-best offensive tackle in the 2025 transfer cycle, giving Hugh Freeze a much-needed anchor of an offensive line set to lose a few pieces next season.

After helping his Hokies rank No. 22 in rush yards per game in 2023, Chaplin again paved the way toward a successful rushing attack in Blacksburg this season. Running back Bhayshul Tuten finished the season with glaringly similar numbers to Auburn starter [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], although Tuten’s scoring production (15 touchdowns) outpaced Hunter’s.

Chaplin will be entering his junior season in 2025 on the Plains. Still with two years of eligibility remaining, the former Hokie will have a direct path to earning a starting role along the offensive line next season. While left tackle [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag] is reportedly returning for his final season, right tackle [autotag]Izavion Miller[/autotag] is out of eligibility, leaving a void likely to be filled by the newest Tiger.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

Ducks DB Tyler Turner leaves Oregon and enters the portal

Redshirt freshman defensive back Tyler Turner leaves Oregon and will enter the portal and transfer to another school in 2025.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Turner has decided to leave the Oregon football program and will enter into the transfer portal where he will play elsewhere in 2025.

Turner appeared in five games this season where he had seven total tackles. His career-high was three tackles against Idaho in the first game of the season.

He appeared in four games last year as a true freshman but was able to retain his redshirt status. Turner had one pass breakup last season against Portland State. He played 33 total snaps, including 17 on special teams and 16 on defense in 2023.

The San Antonio, Texas native was rated as a four-star prospect in the 247Sports composite and by Rivals. Turner was also rated as a three-star prospect according to 247Sports and ESPN. He was a top-25 safety by Rivals (No. 24) and ranked as a top-50 safety in the 247Sports composite (No. 36) and by ESPN (No. 42).

Turner was also ranked the fourth-overall safety in Texas by Rivals, but depth at that position is plentiful for the Ducks. He might receive more consistent playing time somewhere else, so the move into the portal makes sense.

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Oregon Ducks extend offer to transfer portal OT from Texas State

In an attempt to shore up offensive line depth for 2025, the Ducks have extended an offer to former Texas State OT Alex Harkey.

When it comes to incoming players via the transfer portal, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks rarely miss.

The Ducks are looking for more offensive line depth in 2025 and they’ve reportedly extended an offer to former Texas State lineman Alex Harkey.

At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Harkey started at right guard for the Bobcats this season, and the team finished 7-5. They’ll be going into the First Responders Bowl against North Texas without him.

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Harkey started out with the Colorado Buffaloes but transferred out after Deion Sanders was hired as head coach. He was part of the mass exodus of that program after the transition. In his first season at Texas State, Harkey played his just a handful of games, but in his junior year, he ended his time at Texas State as a Third-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection.

Oregon has great depth at offensive line, but there could be a some spots available as the transfer portal has opened up and Josh Conerly, Jr. has to decide whether to come back to Oregon for his senior season or move on to the NFL.

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