Transfer Portal: Intriguing names who plan to be or already are in the NCAA database (Ver. 1)

The transfer portal officially opens up to all FBS football players on December 5. It is sure to be a period of tremendous upheaval across college football, especially at the Division I level.

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However, just because the transfer portal opens on Monday, that doesn’t mean players aren’t already in the NCAA database. Graduate transfers are able to enter their name into the transfer portal at any time, as are players on teams who removed their head coach.

Even for those who can’t officially enter their name in the system quite yet, they can announce their intentions to enter. Many already have, including some notable names.

Here are some of the more intriguing non-Texas names who have entered or will enter the portal, with more to be added as they announce in in the coming days.

Cade McNamara, QB, Michigan – graduate transfer

Was Michigan’s starting quarterback for all of 2021 and once in 2022 before ceding the job to JJ McCarthy. 267-for-423 with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his career.

Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, Nebraska

At NM State prior to Nebraska. Had 37 receptions for 578 yards in 2021 at NMSU. Had a hot start with Nebraska before no-showing in most of the remaining games.

Joshua Braun, OL, Florida – graduate transfer

Younger brother of former Texas OL Parker Braun. Has visited Florida State. Played in 639 snaps as a sophomore before seeing his playing time dip significantly.

Trey Sanders, RB, Alabama – graduate transfer

Oft-injured former five-star running back who had significant interest in Texas during his recruitment.

Paul Tyson, QB, Arizona State – graduate transfer

Bear Bryant’s great-grandson. Was at Alabama from 2019-2021, including two seasons with Steve Sarkisian, before transferring to Arizona State. Made one appearance for the Sun Devils this season.

Jonathan McGill, DB, Stanford – graduate transfer

Texas native who appeared in 32 games for the Cardinal. Tallied 51 tackles with 5.5 for loss and one sack this season, plus one interception.

Casey Roddick, OL, Colorado – graduate transfer

Starting guard and team captain for Colorado. 26 career starts.

Dont’e Thornton, WR, Oregon

Maryland native who was No. 71 in the 2021 On3 Consensus. Had 17 catches for 366 yards and one score in 2022.

Levi Bell, DL, Texas State – graduate transfer

Began career at NAIA College of Idaho, then went to Tyler JC before transferring to LA Tech, then moving from Ruston to San Marcos. Had 66 tackles including 13.5 for loss and 5.0 sacks this year for the Bobcats.

Jarron Morris, S, Texas State – graduate transfer

65 tackles with 4.5 for loss and an interception for the Bobcats. Injury hampered 2021 after strong 2020.

MJ Wright, WR, Fordham – graduate transfer

62 catches for 1156 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Second team All-Patriot League.

Antonio Grier, LB, USF

Two-time second-team All-AAC. Played in three games in 2022, but had 21 tackles with 0.5 TFL. Had hand injury and death in the immediate family that caused him to miss rest of season.

Scott Valentas, LB, Columbia – graduate transfer

Three-time All-Ivy. In 2022, had 93 tackles including 6.5 for loss and one sack, plus four interceptions and 13 passes defended. Team captain and team leader.

Tory Spears, DB, Texas State – graduate transfer

Was at Iowa State previously. Had 77 tackles with 2.5 TFL and 0.5 sacks plus one interception. Son of Marcus Spears.

Davis Brin, QB, Tulsa – graduate transfer

In nine games for Tulsa in 2022, was 148-of-250 for 2138 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Career 60 percent completion percentage.

Damieon George, OL, Alabama

Recruited by Kyle Flood to Alabama. Played in two games in 2022. No. 336 player in the 2020 On3 Consensus.

Kyle Hergel, OL, Texas State – graduate transfer

Multi-year starter at IOL.

Tyrese Chambers, WR, FIU – graduate transfer

Posted a 1074-yard season on 45 receptions in 2021. Followed it up with a 51-catch, 544-yard season for the Panthers.

LJ Johnson, RB, Texas A&M

No. 57 overall prospect in 2021 On3 Consensus. Had 10 carries for 39 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Jeff Sims, GB, Georgia Tech

Starting QB for the Yellow Jackets. was 110-of-188 for 1115 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Dominic Lovett, WR, Missouri

56 catches for 846 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Tigers. Third in the SEC in receiving yardage.

Clay Fields, DB, Marist – graduate transfer

2021 third-team AP FCS All-American. Had 73 tackles and 2.0 sacks plus 2 interceptions

Grant Dubose, WR, Charlotte

Has caught 126 passes for 1684 yards and 15 touchdowns over two seasons with the 49ers.

Andrew Armstrong, WR, Texas A&M-Commerce

6-foot-6, 189-pounder from Dallas (Texas) Bishop Dunne. Had 62 catches for 1020 yards and 13 touchdowns in DII.

Truman Jones, DL, Harvard – graduate transfer

6-foot-4, 242-pounder who was unanimous first-team All-Ivy. 40 tackles with 13.0 for loss, 6.0 sacks, and one forced fumble

Shane Cokes, DL, Dartmouth

Two-time second-team All-Ivy. 6-foot-3, 275 pounder with 53 tackles including 8.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Nate McCollum, WR, Georgia Tech

60 catches for 655 yards and 3 touchdowns this season

Avery Helm, CB, Florida

Fort Bend (Texas) Marshall product who appeared in 11 games and had four starts this season. Appeared in 11 and started nine in 2021.

Xavier Guillory, WR, Idaho State

52 catches for 785 yards and four scores on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors.

Kyle Morlock, TE, Shorter

30 receptions for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns for the DII school. Second-team DII All-American in 2021, likely again this year. 6-foot-7, 245 pounds.

Marco Olivas, LB, Lafayette – graduate transfer

Fort Worth (Texas) Fossil Ridge product who had 92 tackles including 7.0 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Forced two fumbles, recovered two more. Two-time first-team All-Patriot League.

JQ Hardaway, Cincinnati

From Alabama. Four-star prospect.

Jimmy Horn, WR, USF

67 catches for 959 yards and 4 touchdowns over two seasons with the Bulls.

Jordan Revels, OLB, Texas State

Bednarik Watch List. 70 tackles with 11.0 for loss and 4.5 sacks this season.

Cory Crooms, WR, Western Michigan

Four year player who had over 750 yards and five touchdown receptions in each of the last two seasons. Career-best 57 catches for 814 yards this year to go with five touchdown catches.

Dray McCray, WR, Austin Peay

Had 76 catches for 1021 yards and nine touchdowns this year, including 12 catches for 92 yards versus Alabama. 1888 yards and 17 touchdowns in two years for the Govs.

Stephon Herron, EDGE, Stanford

Four year player at Stanford. In 12 games this season, had 37 tackles with 6.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks, plus two forced fumbles.

Abdul Janneh, WR, Duquesne

43 catches for 579 yards and nine touchdowns this past season.

Justin Wright, LB, Tulsa

Had 101 total tackles including 10.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks this year on his way to second-team All-AAC honors. 40 career games with 191 career tackles.

Tunmise Adeleye, DE, Texas A&M

Started two games for the Aggies this season but played in only three total due to injury. Had six tackles on the year.

Brennan Armstrong, QB, Virginia

Looking for a place to play his sixth year. Passed for 4449 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2021, completing 65 percent of his passes. Regressed on a poor Cavs team in 2022, but a 61 percent passer for his career.