Transfer portal: Former Mississippi State and Cal wide receiver Marquez Dortch commits to Troy

Gerad Parker and the Troy Trojans are on a hot streak when it comes to adding new players ahead of the 2024 football season.

On Tuesday, Troy added a beefy interior defensive lineman from the junior college ranks. Kam Curry out of Tyler J.C. in Texas will add immediate help the Trojans’ defensive front.

The following day, it was Southeastern Louisiana safety Ian Goodly announcing his pledge to Troy. The former class of 2022 recruit has two years of eligibility left, coming off an all-conference season.

The Trojans added another safety to its roster Thursday with Daivon Nelson of Hutchinson C.C. announcing his pledge to Troy. Nelson took a visit to Western Michigan but sided with Parker’s squad.

The latest commitment for the Trojans comes from the transfer portal, and it’s a big one. Former Mississippi State and Cal wide receiver Marquez Dortch will be taking his talents to Troy, he told On3.

“I chose Troy because they called me every day and told me that they really needed a wide receiver like me to come in and add speed to the offense,” Dortch said to On3. “Also, it’s close to home, so all my family members have a chance to come watch me play. And I’ve already been to places with a similar style of offense, so i can pick it up easily.”

Troy wide receivers coach Gary Banks was key in the Trojans landing Dortch.

“He loves what I do on the field and plans to use me all over the field to get me the ball,” Dortch said. “He knows how explosive I am.”

Dortch was a four-star prospect according to all four major recruiting websites in the 2022 class. Per the On3 Industry Ranking, the 6-0, 170-pounder was the No. 215 overall prospect and No. 37 wide receiver in the land.

As a high school recruit, he picked Mississippi State over Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss and others and redshirted his first season in Starkville. Dortch appeared in one game for the Bulldogs and then entered the transfer portal, picking Cal ahead of the 2023 season. His time on the West Coast lasted one season; Dortch re-entered the transfer portal in April 2024.

Akron, Buffalo, Marshall, South Alabama and Southern Miss were among the schools recruiting Dortch this time around, and it was the Trojans that won out for the speedster from Lucedale, Miss.

“I expect to have a great season at Troy because I know I can make a big impact in this offense with my speed, and I’ll put up a lot of yards and touchdowns this season,” Dortch added.

As a high school recruit, Dortch was timed running a 10.77 in the 100-meter race and won the 5A state title in the long jump.