Transfer portal intrigue: SEC offensive newcomers to watch

Over the next three weeks, a dozen SEC teams will hold some sort of scrimmage to cap off spring practice. There are pressing questions, biggest concerns and storylines galore for every program in the league — from Alabama to Vanderbilt.  With the transfer portal becoming such an integral element in roster construction in the modern era of college football, the spring is the perfect time to get a sneak peek at potential impact newcomers across the SEC.

More than 80 players have already utilized the transfer portal to either switch teams within the league or enter the conference this offseason, and more movement is anticipated before the May 2 deadline.

Some of the best players in the conference this fall will be former transfers, so before the games actually count, here’s a running list of offensive newcomers via the transfer portal I’m most intrigued to see in action this month.

Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Jahmyr Gibbs bolted the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets over the offseason, but he’s brought plenty of buzz with him to Tuscaloosa. The all-purpose playmaker has been the talk of Alabama’s spring practice, with Nick Saban, Bryce Young and others singing Gibbs’ praise. Aside from quarterbacks, the Georgia native could be among the most impactful transfers in the country this season, potentially leading the national title favorites in scrimmage yards as a dynamic runner, receiver and returner. 

The Rebels’ Reinforcements

The Portal King loaded up on transfers this offseason, as Lane Kiffin rebuilt his roster on the fly with 14 newcomers replacing the likes of Matt Corral, Jerrion Ealy, Snoop Conner, and others. Ole Miss had the SEC’s top offense a year ago, so former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart, TCU tailback Zach Evans, SMU tailback Ulyssess Bentley, USC tight end Michael Trigg and Western Kentucky right tackle Mason Brooks have major shoes to fill. It’s not a formality that Dart is the Day 1 starter, but the likelihood is the former Trojan beats out Luke Altmyer. Regardless, the next few weeks are key for Kiffin to determine exactly what he has in his impressive haul of fresh faces. 

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler

This time a year ago, former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler was seen as one of the hottest commodities in the sport. Following an impressive redshirt freshman season, Rattler scored major NIL deals, was the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite and was many folks’ projected No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. But Rattler’s dream year quickly became a nightmare after he was benched against Texas and saw Caleb Williams steal his job and shine. Rattler hopes to resurrect his promise at South Carolina, with head coach Shane Beamer calling the former five-star a “program changer.” The Gamecocks have already released a hype video touting Rattler’s potential, and the former blue-chip recruit should unquestionably elevate an offense that had little explosiveness last season.

The SEC’s QB Carousel 

Not including Rattler or Dart, at least five other transfer quarterbacks are in some sort of battle for their school’s starting job in 2022. Florida’s Jack Miler is seen as more of a long shot to unseat Anthony Richardson, but Jayden Daniels at LSU, Zach Calzada and Robby Ashford at Auburn and Max Johnson at Texas A&M all have real opportunities to become QB1 for their team this fall. Each battle has its various intrigue, as Daniels could simply be a piece in LSU’s offense, especially since Brian Kelly has never been shy about rotating quarterbacks.

Calzada is dinged up this spring, giving Ashford and TJ Finley a chance to make some noise. Johnson is in the league’s most interesting battle since the former LSU quarterback has the most experience but perhaps not the upside of redshirt sophomore Haynes King or five-star freshman Conner Weigman. 

The best of the rest

Jadon Haselwood struggled to stay healthy at Oklahoma, but the former five-star receiver has legit skills and is positioned to be KJ Jefferson’s top target at Arkansas. Likewise, Jermaine Burton has quickly impressed at Alabama this spring, and the former Georgia receiver, who averaged 19.12 yards per catch last season, looks to be an immediate replacement for previous transfer star wideout Jameson Williams. Elsewhere at receiver, Javon Baker didn’t get many opportunities at Alabama but he should at Kentucky. The Wildcats also added former Virginia Tech playmaker Tayvion Robinson, who led the Hokies in touchdowns (5) and receptions (44) in 2021. Lastly, while Oklahoma tight end Austin Stogner created headlines by reuniting with Rattler at South Carolina, the more impactful player just might be FCS All-American wideout Antwane Wells out of James Madison. Similarly, Carolina upgraded at tailback with Wake Forest transfer Christian Beal-Smith, who led the Demon Deacons with 604 rushing yards last season. 

New Florida head coach Billy Napier clearly believes three of his former Louisiana-Lafayette players can make the jump to a Power 5 program, using the transfer portal to bring veteran offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence, tailback Montrell Johnson and tackle Kamryn Waites with him to Gainesville. Torrence is a dude and potential All-SEC guy, but we’ll see if Waites is anything more than just depth this fall. Johnson got a lot of carries as a freshman with the Cajuns but he faces some stiffer competition for PT with the Gators. 

LSU raided the portal this offseason, with FIU offensive tackle Miles Frazier considered one of the Tigers’ more marquee additions. Meanwhile, Noah Cain was a nice prospect out of IMG Academy, but the tailback was constantly dinged up at Penn State. Can he stay healthy and carve out a role at LSU?