Transfer portal breakdown: 6 intriguing offensive players who already have chosen a new school

Most of the attention the past two weeks has been focused on players going into the transfer portal; well, some have gone in and already come out.

Here’s a look at six commitments by intriguing offensive players who already have picked their next destination.

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.

Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong

Transfer: From Texas A&M-Commerce to Arkansas
The buzz: Arkansas needs a go-to receiver with the departure of Jadon Haselwood to the NFL, and there was an example of an FCS receiver becoming an SEC team’s No. 1 receiver in 2021 (Antwane Wells Jr. at South Carolina). At the least, Andrew Armstrong should be an important complementary receiver for the Hogs. Armstrong has excellent size (6 feet 6, 190 pounds), and he had 62 receptions for 1,020 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. It took him a while to grow into his body, and after a 15-catch year in 2021, he blossomed this season.

Michigan OL LaDarius Henderson

Transfer: From Arizona State to Michigan
The buzz: The Wolverines hit it big in the portal last offseason, bringing in center Olusegun Oluwatimi from Virginia. Oluwatimi moved seamlessly into the starting lineup and the Wolverines’ offensive line might be better this season than it was in 2021, when it won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best. LaDarius Henderson (6-5, 310) was a three-year starter for the Sun Devils and a team captain this season. He started at left tackle as a true freshman in 2019, was a reserve in 2020, then started at guard in each of the past two seasons. His experience at tackle means it wouldn’t be surprising to see him at that spot for the Wolverines, who should be strong up front again in 2023.

Boston College G Kyle Hergel

Transfer: From Texas State to Boston College
The buzz: BC’s offensive line was a disaster area this season. The Eagles averaged a nation’s-low 63.3 rushing yards per game, with a hide-your-eyes-bad average of 2.1 yards per carry. In addition, BC quarterbacks were sacked 46 times, third-most in the nation and the most for a Power 5 team. Kyle Hergel (6-2, 305) was a two-year starter at Texas State and earned third-team All-Sun Belt plaudits this season. In addition, Hergel was a two-year starter at FCS North Dakota before transferring to Texas State in early 2021. While he won’t contend for All-ACC honors, Hergel is a plug-and-play guy for a team that desperately needs an upgrade along the offensive line.

Kansas State WR Keagan Johnson

Transfer: From Iowa to Kansas State
The buzz: Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones was one of the biggest portal success stories this season. He had 21 receptions in two seasons at Iowa, then transferred to Purdue; he leads the nation in receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,361) and is tied for fourth in TD receptions (12). Expecting Iowa transfer Keagan Johnson to put up those kind of numbers – especially at K-State, a school that prefers to run the ball – is folly. But Johnson (6-1, 194) definitely has the talent to be a productive receiver for the Wildcats. He is a former On3 Consensus four-star prospect in the 2021 class. Johnson had 18 catches and was a legit big-play guy as a true freshman (19.6 yards per catch), but he played in just two games this season because of a variety of injuries.

Duke C Mike Purcell

Transfer: From Elon to Duke
The buzz: Duke started an FCS transfer at center for most of this season (Jack Burns, from Cornell), and it could be more of the same next season. Mike Purcell (6-4, 315) was a three-year starter at center for the Phoenix, though his 2021 season was cut short by injury. Elon was a playoff team this season, losing in the first round to Furman. Purcell, who was a second-team All-Colonial selection this season, will be a seventh-year senior in 2023.

Oklahoma State RB Sean Tyler

Transfer: From Western Michigan to Oklahoma State
The buzz: There is an underwhelming group of running backs currently in the portal, but Sean Tyler’s explosiveness stood out in the MAC. Oklahoma State is losing its top two rushers (the No. 2 guy was QB Spencer Sanders), and Tyler at the least will be a key part of a rotation. Tyler (5-8, 185) rushed for 1,027 yards and seven TDs, and was a second-team all-conference pick. Tyler led the MAC with six runs of at least 30 yards, with five of at least 40 and with four of at least 50. His four runs of at least 50 was tied for third nationally. Oklahoma State’s rushing attack was a disappointment this season, at 131.8 yards a game. That’s the school’s lowest total since 126.9 in 2015 and a 53-yard drop from last season.