Transfer portal breakdown: The 5 best commitments this week

The transfer portal “season” is in full swing, with around 825 FBS scholarship players entering the portal since the current 45-day window opened December 5.

The reverse is true, as well, though nearly not to the same extent: Players in the portal are choosing their next destination.

To that end, here are the five best portal commitments this week. This will be a weekly feature, and we likely will spotlight 10 commitments when the portal’s revolving door starts spinning more the other way.

For a look at all the players in the portal, go to On3’s transfer portal wire, which is updated continuously as players go into – and leave – the portal. In addition, there are position rankings of those already in the portal.

5. Boston College WR Ryan O’Keefe

Transfer: From UCF
The skinny: In the past two seasons under Gus Malzahn, Ryan O’Keefe (5 feet 10, 175 pounds) caught 157 passes and had 12 TD receptions. But all those catches led to just 1,537 yards, which is 9.8 yards per catch. In 2020, when Josh Heupel was UCF’s coach, O’Keefe averaged 19.6 yards per catch on 20 receptions. Malzahn also utilized O’Keefe often on jet sweeps; he had 39 carries the past two seasons. O’Keefe might not be as prolific a receiver with BC, but at the least, he will be an important complementary receiver and occasional deep threat for a passing attack that needs an overhaul.

4. Virginia Tech WR Ali Jennings

Transfer: From Old Dominion
The skinny: Ali Jennings was one of the most productive receivers in the nation this season, averaging 106.6 yards per game (third nationally) for ODU. And over the past two seasons, he had 115 catches in 21 games for 2,022 yards (17.6 per catch) and 14 TDs. Jennings has good size (6-2, 200) and speed, and was one of the best receivers available in the portal. We do have one question, though: How productive will he be with the Hokies? Virginia Tech’s passing attack was extremely underwhelming this season (203.3 yards per game, nine TD passes). Jennings, who began his career at West Virginia, certainly has talent, but will he get the ball consistently enough to make a big impact? Kaleb Smith, Virginia Tech’s leading receiver from this season, entered the portal last week; he and Jennings would’ve made for a nice 1-2 punch.

3. Iowa TE Erick All

Transfer: From Michigan
The skinny: Erick All (6-5, 255) was a big-time receiving weapon for Michigan in 2021, with 38 receptions (second-most on the team). He received some preseason All-Big Ten notice this year, but played in just three games before being sidelined by a back injury that required surgery. He will join former Wolverines QB Cade McNamara with the Hawkeyes. Now, Iowa’s offense has been a national punchline for the past two seasons, but the one thing the Hawkeyes do well is throw to their tight ends. Departing TE Sam LaPorta led Iowa in receiving in each of the past three seasons and had 53 receptions in each of the past two. All can be that type of receiver for the Hawkeyes, and with a bit more explosiveness.

2. Oklahoma EDGE Dasan McCullough

Transfer: From Indiana
The skinny: Dasan McCullough (6-5, 230) was an On3 Consensus national top-100 player in the 2022 recruiting class, and signing him was a recruiting coup for IU. He had a good true freshman season, too, with 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading four sacks. The Sooners struggled mightily on defense this season. But one thing about any Brent Venables defense is that it’s aggressive, and OU led the Big 12 and was fifth nationally with 99 tackles for loss. McCullough should prove to be an excellent fit for a defense that could use some more pass rushers; while the Sooners had 99 TFL, they had just 26 sacks, fourth in the league.

1. Florida State TEs Jaheim Bell and Kyle Morlock

Transfer: Bell from South Carolina, Morlock from Shorter (Ga.)
The skinny: The Seminoles nabbed two of the top tight ends out of the portal in less than one week. Jaheim Bell (6-2, 230) can be used in a variety of ways, including split wide and as an H-back; heck, South Carolina coaches lined up him at tailback for a few games late in the season. Kyle Morlock (6-7, 245) is from a small town in Georgia (Blairsville, population of about 625) and played at a Division II school in Rome, Ga. He’s more of a traditional tight end, and has an intriguing upside. And consider this: With Morlock and WR Johnny Wilson, FSU coach Mike Norvell can put two 6-7 receivers on the field at the same time. Just think about the red zone possibilities.

Others considered: USC DT Kyon Barrs (from Arizona), UCF LB Antonio Grier (from USF), Michigan LB Ernest Hausmann (from Nebraska), Oklahoma State RB Sean Tyler (from Western Michigan).