Transfer Portal Matchmaker: Best fits for the top available players including Evan Stewart, Quinshon Judkins

The transfer portal has seen most of the marquee entrees find new homes, as fewer than 10 of the Top 50 players, per On3, remain uncommitted. 

Outside of the teams playing in Monday’s national championship game, the portal deadline has come and gone until the second transfer widow in May. Some of the later entrees, including blockbuster additions like Ole Miss tailback Quinshon Judkins and Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagoviolioa, should have no shortage of suitors, while many of the remaining uncommitted top prospects could make decisions quickly with a desire to get enrolled and participate in spring practice. 

When the transfer portal first opened, I played a QB matchmaker for some of the best quarterbacks to initially enter the 2024 cycle. So let’s run the exercise back, only for some of the best available players in the portal — not just QBs. 

Reminder: This is not a prediction on where these prospects will land, but a player-school pairing based on fit and need.

WR Evan Stewart (Texas A&M) – Oregon

When the 5-star Aggies wideout entered the transfer portal in December, Stewart was linked to more than half a dozen programs including Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, USC and Florida State. 

But Stewart visited Oregon this weekend, and the Ducks look like a perfect fit for the playmaking wideout. Dan Lanning has been aggressive in the transfer portal the last two seasons, including landing 2024 starter Dillon Gabriel to replace Bo Nix. Similarly, Stewart could slide in and immediately take Troy Franklin’s spot. 

Oregon received some good news earlier this week when last year’s transfer wideout Tez Johnson, who had a monster season in Eugene in 2023, announced his return for 2024. Johnson and Stewart could form a dynamic 1-2 punch in Will Stein’s offense next season. 

Stewart, who led the SEC in receptions as a freshman in 2022 and had 38 catches in an injury-riddled 2023 season, has said he’s not interested in the biggest NIL package at his future school. He’s focused on which program can develop him best for the NFL, and at Oregon, he could get both — a big bag while playing in an offense that would showcase his skills. 

Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland) – Miami

Tagovailoa was a late addition to the portal, entering just before the deadline as he seeks a sixth season of eligibility. The record-setting Big Ten quarterback is hoping for a waiver from the NCAA after he played in five games in 2019 at Alabama.  

For this exercise’s purpose, let’s say Tagovaiola does receive a waiver and will play for a third school in 2024. 

What’s the best match?

Like Judkins, Auburn is a very logical destination, and the return to the Yellowhammer State would create all sorts of spicy storylines for the ex-Alabama quarterback. But while the Tigers are in desperate need of a portal quarterback, and Hugh Freeze has recruited a pair of 5-star wideouts, Auburn’s offense could be in store for more growing pains next fall. 

A reunion at Alabama could be fun, but the Tide seems all-in on the Jalen Milroe path in 2024. USC is a potential home, too, but Miller Moss scared off Will Howard and could do the same for Tagovaiola, who is looking for the best one-and-done option.

To me, that’s why Miami makes so much sense. It’s not that his brother Tua Tagovaiola plays for the Dolphins — although The Tagovailoa’s takeover Miami could become a new reality show — it’s that the Hurricanes could be a real quarterback away from competing for the ACC in 2024.  

The ‘Canes missed out on the Cam Ward (NFL) and Will Howard (Ohio State) sweepstakes, but the pieces around the position at Miami are attractive. Mario Cristobal has recruited a top-flight offensive line, and the Hurricanes have several veteran receivers, including All-ACC wideout Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. At least for next season, Miami looks like a better add-water solution than Auburn for Tagovaiola.

CB AJ Harris (Georgia) – Penn State

On3’s top-ranked cornerback in the transfer portal has been rumored to Auburn, Kentucky, and lately, Penn State. Considering the Nittany Lions’ recent track record developing blue-chip cornerbacks, Harris landing in Happy Valley adds up. 

The former fringe 5-star prospect saw limited action at Georgia in 2023, but the 6-1, 180-pound corner is a versatile, technical defensive back capable of filling multiple roles at Penn State. The Nittany Lions have churned out recent NFL prospects Joey Porter Jr., Kalen King and Johnny Dixon and others, and there’s an obvious need there in 2024.

Harris would be another high-floor corner for position coach Terry Smith to work with.

OT Zalance Heard (LSU) – Tennessee

The former 5-star prospect had the misfortunate of being squeezed out of a tackle spot on a deep Tigers’ OL, but Heard is one of the top offensive linemen to enter the portal this cycle and will have his pick of the litter of options. 

Deion Sanders certainly needs more offensive tackles at Colorado. Same for Lincoln Riley at USC. Heard has reportedly received interest from Ole Miss, Oklahoma and others, too. 

But Tennessee, where the 6-6, 340-pound tackle is set to visit this weekend, would be an ideal landing spot. The Vols need OT help, and since Heard has multiple seasons of eligibility remaining, his timeline tracks with Vols phenom quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Like Iamaleava, Heard was a Top 25 prospect in the 2023 class, and the two could grow into future NFL Draft picks together leading Tennessee’s high-powered offense.