Tag: Spring transfer portal

Wisconsin football hosts GVSU transfer defensive lineman

Wisconsin football hosts GVSU transfer defensive lineman

The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Grand Valley State transfer defensive lineman Jay’viar Suggs on Monday. The team offered him on Friday, looking to bolster a thin defensive line position.

The Badgers were among several top programs to offer Suggs, along with Nebraska, Iowa, TCU, Louisville, Arkansas, Kansas State, Indiana and Houston.

The experienced lineman compiled 42 total tackles, including eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons with the Lakers. Notably, he was teammates with current Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean in his time with Grand Valley State.

Wisconsin is on the cusp of wrapping up its spring football practices, which will come to an official close following Thursday’s 15th and final session.

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The Badgers are looking to build off of a disappointing 2023 campaign in which they went 7-6 overall, including a 35-31 loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The defense fell short of the program’s standard.

The possible addition of the 6-foot-3, 280-plus pound defensive lineman would be a significant step toward that not being the case again in 2024.

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Texas A&M has reportedly contacted former star Colorado running back

Former Colorado running back Dylan Edwards has been in contact with Texas A&M

Texas A&M is still in the market for adding depth at several positions, especially on offense. New offensive coordinator Collin Klein requires more weapons in the passing game for starting quarterback Conner Weigman to thrive in 2024.

With the strategic aim of adding another dynamic playmaker to the team, former Auburn wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson is set to visit College Station next Friday. This potential addition, along with former Colorado running back Dylan Edwards, who recently entered the transfer portal, demonstrates the team’s thoughtful and proactive approach to recruiting through the portal.

According to On3, six teams have contacted Edwards since his announcement, including Texas A&M. Klein recruited Edwards, a native of Derby, Kansas, during his time as Kansas State’s OC during the 2023 recruiting cycle.

During his lone freshman season with the Buffaloes, Edwards was a lightning rod in the backfield, racking up 768 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, including 321 rushing yards on 76 carries. Ole Miss, UCLA, Georgia, Kansas State and Nebraska.

While the Aggies are set at running back, adding more explosiveness to the new offensive scheme is never a bad idea.

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Report: Former Auburn WR Ja’Varrius Johnson will visit Texas A&M next month

Texas A&M will reportedly host former Auburn WR Ja’Varrius Johnson on Friday, May 3

Credit to Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, as the program is clearly headed in the right direction under his leadership this offseason. Most notably, Elko’s utilization of the spring transfer portal has led to several commitments this month, including former Pitt linebacker Solomon DeShields.

Needing to add another wide receiver after the Maroon & White spring game showed that depth issues persist in the rotation; former Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who was a finalist to land with the Aggies, is now headed to Auburn.

Exciting news is on the horizon: Elko has reportedly arranged a visit next week with former Auburn WR Ja’Varrius Johnson. Johnson recorded 64 receptions, 1,114 receiving yards, and three touchdowns during his Tigers career. Johnson could be a game-changer for the Aggies.

With former Houston wide receiver Sam Brown already visiting College Station on Tuesday, Elko will need to land one of the two remaining options to feel safe going into fall camp. WR Jabre Barber continues to recover from his recent surgery to repair an injury sustained this spring.

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Brother of Wisconsin cornerback enters transfer portal

Wisconsin cornerback’s brother enters transfer portal

The NCAA spring transfer portal window is open until April 30 and UCF cornerback Jason Duclona, brother of current Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Jonas Duclona, entered on Wednesday.

Though they were in the same grade, Jason is less than a year younger than his older brother Jonas (350 days apart) and the brothers grew up in south Florida, going to separate high schools. Jason attended Estero High School, while Jonas wanted to stick with his football friends, enrolling in Naples High School.

Both brothers were three-star class of 2023 athletes. Jonas enrolled at UW-Madison while Jason chose to attend UCF. Jason appeared in three games during his freshman season with the Knights, failing to record any stats.

With the Badgers, Jonas played in 12 contests in 2023, totaling three tackles while playing mostly on special teams. Considering the family connection, Jason Duclona could certainly find himself visiting Luke Fickell’s squad in Madison in the near future.

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Texas A&M sophomore offensive lineman Colton Thomasson enters transfer portal

“Thank you 12th Man. There is nothing quite like running through the tunnel onto Kyle Field and an honor I’ll never forget,” Thomasson said.

After only one year in College Station, a Texas A&M underclassman has decided to enter the transfer portal.

Sophomore offensive lineman Colton Thomasson announced his decision to enter the portal via social media on Wednesday afternoon.

“Thanks be to God for blessing me with the opportunity to play football at Texas A&M,” Thomasson stated on X. “To my teammates, you are my brothers forever. To my family and friends, I love you and appreciate all you’ve done for me.

“Thank you to the coaches and staff who have developed me during my time in College Station.

“Thank you, 12th Man, for your continued support and being the best fanbase in college football. There is nothing quite like running through the tunnel onto Kyle Field and an honor I’ll never forget.

“After much prayer and reflection, I am formally entering the transfer portal.”

Thomasson is 6-foot-8, 320 pounds and was a 4-star prospect coming out of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas. He appeared in only two games for the Aggies and enters the portal with four years of eligibility remaining after taking a redshirt season in 2023.

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Projected starting Big Ten quarterback enters transfer portal

Projected starting Big Ten quarterback enters transfer portal

The NCAA spring transfer portal window remains open until April 30 and in a surprising move, Northwestern’s projected starting quarterback Brendan Sullivan announced his intentions to transfer Tuesday.

Sullivan appeared in 12 games for the Wildcats over the last two seasons. He threw for 714 yards and six touchdowns in 2023 while also adding 160 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Those stats came while splitting time with quarterback Ben Bryant in 2023.

Sullivan appeared to be Northwestern’s clear 2024 starter with Bryant no longer in town. That will now not be the case.

Senior Ryan Hilinski presents as the most likely next man up for the Wildcats, while junior Jack Lausch should be the primary competition

The transfer portal continues to offer athletes a chance to get a fresh start and in Sullivan’s case, it doesn’t necessarily matter if you were in line to be the starter.

Wisconsin is set to visit Northwestern on October 19. We will now monitor who the Wildcats’ starting quarterback will be for that contest.

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Former Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith is reportedly down to two teams

Texas A&M is a finalist for former Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Great news regarding Texas A&M’s hopes of landing former Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith from the spring transfer portal, as On3’s Pete Nakos has now confirmed that it will come down to the Aggies or the Auburn Tigers before a final decision is made.

Needing another veteran presence at the position heading into the 2024 campaign, the spring games’ results proved said need, as junior wide receiver Noah Thomas was the only real presence in the passing game, recording seven receptions for 82 and two touchdowns for the Maroon team on the day.

After visiting College Station last weekend, Lambert-Smith likely understands where his place on the roster would be going into fall camp, as Thomas, alongside senior wide receivers Moose Muhammad III and Jahdae Walker are still competing for the No. 1-receiving spot, with Thomas in the clear lead as of now.

However, Lambert-Smith possesses the size, speed, and experience that would elevate the Aggies’ wide receiver rotation and make starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s job that much easier. At the same time, the new offensive coordinator, Collin Klein, continues to implement his new offensive system.

Standing at 6-1 and nearly 190 pounds, Lambert-Smith was extremely productive for the Nittany Lions over the past four seasons. He recorded 1,721 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns through the air, including a career-high 673 yards and four scores in 2023.

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Texas A&M lands a commitment from former ECU TE Shane Calhoun

Texas A&M has landed a verbal commitment from former ECU tight end Shane Calhoun

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has done what Jimbo Fisher failed ever to do: Utilize the transfer portal. After re-opening this spring, the Aggies’ Maroon & White spring game proved that depth issues remain at various postion groups, and as of Monday, several new additions will make their way to College Station.

Earlier in the day, former Pitt linebacker Solomon DeShields announced his intentions to transfer to A&M, shoring up the rotation alongside All-SEC LB Taurean York while placing a bandage over the loss of future NFL linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

Now, announced on Monday night, the Aggies have added their third tight end from the portal, as former ECU TE Shane Calhoun looks to play his final collegiate season for Texas A&M after hauling in over 63 receptions, 594 receiving yards, and six touchdowns from 2020-2023.

Joining tight ends Garrett Miller (Purdue) and Tre Watson (Fresno State), Texas A&M is currently over the 85-player scholarship limit. Expect more movement in the coming months to meet the number, as Elko has more than proven his ability to maneuver the ins and outs of the offseason thus far.

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Breaking: Texas A&M has landed a commitment from former Utah OL Koli Faaiu

Boom! Texas A&M has landed a commitment from versatile Utah offensive lineman Kolinu’u Faaiu out of the transfer portal

Boom! Texas A&M has continued to add valuable veterans through the transfer portal this offseason, already taking full advantage of the spring transfer portal window to address lingering depth issues across the offensive line, now landing a commitment from versatile former Utah OL Koliu’u Faaiu on Saturday morning according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

After losing former Troy OL Derrick Graham, who re-entered the portal earlier this week, Elko and new offensive line coach Adam Cushing, who has been crushing it on the recruiting trail, knew what Faaiu could bring to the Aggie’s interior offensive line as soon as next season.

While redshirt junior Bryce Foster is assumed to retake the starting center job next season, he has been absent from the spring football period due to his responsibilities as a track and field athlete. Again, this is just presumed, as Faaiu is coming off his 2023 season with eight starts at center under his belt while playing in 11 games along the Utes’ O-line.

Standing at 6-3 and 324 pounds, Faaiu understands leverage while consistently holding up in pass protection and is a plus run blocker when asked to clear a path. Expect him to compete for a starting spot at in the trenches, perhaps at center during fall camp.

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Report: Texas A&M is in the running for star Arizona State wide receiver

Texas A&M is reportedly in the running for one of the top playmakers in the country

With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, rumor season has begun to ramp up. In college football, the spring transfer portal has created tons of chatter regarding several starting players looking for a new collegiate home to compete for a championship in 2024.

For Texas A&M, new head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season has the potential to surprise nearly everyone in the country to judge the program based on past results, as the roster is stacked with talent and experience, starting with returning quarterback Conner Weigman.

However, with the departures of several wide receivers, including the reliable do-it-all Ainias Smith, the current receiver depth chart is talented but still like a playmaker that would make the Aggie’s offense a consistent threat in SEC play.

With plenty of veterans now available in the portal, a surprising name entered on Friday afternoon. Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger is now looking for a new home next season after posting over 135 receptions and 1,500-plus receiving yards in his last two seasons in Tucson.

Interestingly enough, 247Sports’ Chris Karpman has now reported that Alabama and Texas A&M are potential suitors for the talented pass catcher. Also, according to Karpman, Badger has been dealing with notable back soreness during the spring practice period but should be in full health going into the fall.

During his 2023 junior season with the Sun Devils, Badger hauled in 65 receptions, 713 yards, and three touchdowns on the year.

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