Transfer portal breakdown: Division II transfers you need to know in 2023

Let’s do a deeper dive into the transfer portal today by looking at Division II players who have transferred into the FBS ranks. Four of our spotlighted guys have transferred to Power 5 schools, and given the roster situations of the schools they’re joining, each needs to make an impact this fall.

A handful of D2 transfers made a big FBS impact in 2022. Among them: Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed, who transferred from West Florida and led the nation with 4,744 passing yards and was third with 41 TD passes; Central Michigan EDGE Thomas Incoom, from Valdosta (Ga.) State, who was tied for third nationally with 11.5 sacks; NC State G Chandler Zavala, from Fairmont (W.Va.) State, who was a first-team All-ACC selection; Charlotte WR Grant DuBose, from Miles (Ala.), a second-team All-Conference-USA honoree who had 64 receptions and nine TDs; Kansas G Dominick Puni, a Central Missouri transfer who was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection; and North Texas EDGE Mazin Richards, another second-team All-C-USA guy who had 12.5 tackles for loss after transferring from Eastern New Mexico.

South Carolina RB Mario Anderson

Transfer from: Newberry (S.C.)
The buzz: Mario Anderson (5 feet 9, 210 pounds) received some All-America notice after rushing for 1,560 yards and 19 TDs for Newberry, whose campus is about 45 miles northwest of South Carolina’s. Anderson rushed for 1,237 yards and 12 TDs in 2021. He had 16 100-yard outings in 30 career games at Newberry. South Carolina’s rushing attack wasn’t much in 2022 – and the top two rushers are gone (and one of those was a tight end who had been pressed into tailback duty). In short, ample playing time is available. Anderson’s performance in spring practice will be a big storyline for the Gamecocks.

Maryland OT Gottlieb Ayedze

Transfer from: Frostburg (Md.) State
The buzz: Gottlieb Ayedze (6-5, 300) was a first-team All-America in some circles in 2022. Ayedze received a Senior Bowl invitation but declined, choosing to use his COVID year of eligibility playing Power 5 football. He was a three-year starter for Frostburg State at left tackle – and was a three-time first-team All-Mountain East Conference selection. Ayedze gets first crack at replacing Jaelyn Duncan at left tackle, and he definitely has the skill set to win the job. Maryland also dipped into a lower level for another potential starting lineman; Corey Bullock from FCS North Carolina Central figures to have first dibs on the guard spot that had been Spencer Anderson’s.

Florida State TE Kyle Morlock

Transfer from: Shorter (Ga.)
The buzz: Kyle Morlock (6-7, 245) earned some All-America notice in 2022 before becoming part of FSU’s excellent portal class. Morlock is from a small town in Georgia (Blairsville, population of about 625) but has a big upside. He is one of two transfer tight ends brought in by FSU. The other is Jaheim Bell, from South Carolina, who is a receiver-first tight end. Morlock is more of a throwback tight end – a willing (and effective) blocker who can catch. 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 in the red zone.

Tulane S Darius Swanson

Transfer from: Nebraska-Kearney
The buzz: Tulane was one of the nation’s biggest surprises this past season, going from 2-10 in 2021 to 12-2 and Cotton Bowl winners over USC in 2022. A big positive for the Green Wave was the play of its defense, including a secondary that had two new starters via the transfer portal. Well, that secondary needs two new starting safeties, and Darius Swanson (6-3, 200) should slide into the strong safety spot. He earned some All-America honors in 2022 after finishing with 66 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups. He also earned All-America accolades in 2021, when he had 98 tackles, four picks and seven pass breakups.

Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa

Transfer from: Hillsdale (Mich.)
The buzz: Isaac TeSlaa (6-4, 210) earned some honorable mention All-America notice in 2022 at Hillsdale. He had 68 receptions for 1,325 yards (an impressive 19.5 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns. TeSlaa, who was a high school quarterback, was the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year this season. In 2021, his first as a starter, TeSlaa had 45 receptions for 698 yards (15.4 per catch) and seven TDs. Arkansas’ leading returning wide receiver had 16 catches this past season, so the Hogs need TeSlaa and fellow transfers Andrew Armstrong (from Texas A&M-Commerce) and Tyrone Broden (Bowling Green) to produce immediately.

And there’s also a Division III transfer to watch.

Oklahoma State WR Leon Johnson III

Transfer from: George Fox (Ore.)
The buzz: Leon Johnson III (6-5, 207) earned some All-America mention in 2022 after catching 55 passes for 1,156 yards (an eye-popping 21.1 yards per catch) and 14 TDs. Johnson had a catch of at least 50 yards in five of the Bruins’ 10 games and a catch of at least 34 yards in eight contests. In three seasons at George Fox, a school of about 2,200 students in Newberg, Ore., near Portland, Johnson had 110 receptions for 2,146 yards (19.5 per catch) and 23 touchdowns. Johnson also played baseball at George Fox, starting for two seasons as an outfielder.