Houston, Kansas State headline top four for Kennesaw State DL Carlos Allen Jr.

Kennesaw State transfer defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr. is focusing on four schools.

According to Allen’s agents, Darren Wilson and Chase Moss, the 6-foot-1, 303-pounder has announced his four final schools: Cal, Houston, Kansas State and Georgia Southern.

The grad transfer is set to make official visits to Houston and Kansas State in May, according to his reps. He tallied 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble over the past two seasons. Talent is at a premium in the trenches in college football’s free agency. With playing experience, Allen can be an instant contributor on the line of scrimmage.

Kansas State defensive tackle Jevon Banks announced he plans to enter the portal, too. Banks played in all 13 games for the Wildcats in 2023, recording nine tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Houston has also seen attrition, with 30 players hitting the portal this offseason.

What is the transfer portal?

The spring transfer portal window is just 15 days, a crammed period that could reshape the 2024 college football offseason. The portal tool was launched in 2018 to allow athletes to be more involved in the process of transferring. Athletes must notify institutions of their intent to transfer. Each school’s compliance team has 48 hours to put a name into the portal. 

After an athlete is officially in the portal, there is no rush on making a decision as long as they are properly enrolled at a new institution in time for fall camp. Commitments do not have to be made during the 15-day window. Grad transfers are allowed to enter the portal at any time. 

Roster retention has been crucial for programs, with NIL playing a vital role in keeping rosters together in the new age of college football. Exactly 645 FBS players transferred in last year’s spring window. In one week of the 2024 spring transfer portal, 497 FBS scholarship players have entered.