Diving into the portal: 5 key transfers into the ACC

There will be another spate of transfers after spring practices are over, but for now the transfer portal is relatively quiet, which gives us an opportunity to look at key transfers into each Power 5 league.

Today, it’s five key transfers in the ACC. “Key” is a relative term, but you can expect each of these players to make an appreciable impact this fall for their new teams.

We’ll be honest: As a group, the ACC’s incoming transfers are the least impressive of the Power 5 leagues.

(We looked at the Big Ten on Monday, the Big 12 on Tuesday and the SEC on Wednesday, and will look at the Pac-12 on Friday and independents and the Group of 5 on Saturday.)

Virginia Tech WR Jadan Blue

The buzz: Blue’s arrival from Temple was welcome news for the Hokies. Virginia Tech’s passing attack in 2021 was, to be kind, underwhelming, and the top two receivers are gone (Tre Turner to the NFL and Tayvion Robinson to Kentucky). No receiver left on the roster had more than 20 catches last season, so there should be ample targets for Blue. He had a great 2019 season, with 95 catches for 1,067 yards (the only 1,000-yard season by a receiver in Temple history) and four TDs. Blue had only 71 receptions and six touchdowns total in the past two seasons, but that was more a function of bad quarterback play. Truthfully, quarterback play could be an issue for the Hokies this fall, but at least Blue is a proven commodity for new offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen, who had been the Jacksonville Jaguars’ tight end coach.

Miami RB Henry Parrish

The buzz: Parrish, a former star at Miami Columbus, was a productive member of a deep Ole Miss backfield the past two seasons; he rushed for 816 yards and five TDs while sharing carries with two other running backs as well as QB Matt Corral. He’s likely to share time with leading returning rusher Jaylan Knighton and Donald Chaney Jr., assuming Chaney’s return from an ACL injury goes well, as well as true freshman TreVonte’ Citizen. But Parrish seems to have a burst that Knighton (who is averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry through two seasons) doesn’t possess. Parrish also is an effective receiver out of backfield. And it doesn’t hurt Parrish’s cause that Miami’s new running backs is Kevin Smith, who had held the same job at Ole Miss.

Pitt QB Kedon Slovis

The buzz: Slovis, USC’s starting quarterback the past three seasons, was brought in to replace Kenny Pickett as the starter. Pickett had a phenomenal season, throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 TDs, and Slovis will get to throw to star WR Jordan Addison as well as talented Akron transfer Konata Mumpfield. But offensive coordinator Mark Whipple left for Nebraska and wide receiver coach Brennan Marion, who was heavily involved in the offense, left for the same job at Texas. The new OC is Frank Cignetti Jr., so it will be interesting to see how the new offense comes together. Slovis definitely can sling it. He became USC’s starter as a true freshman when J.T. Daniels was hurt in the 2019 season-opener. Slovis then started all six games in the COIVD-shortened 2020 season and the first nine games of 2021 season before being injured. In his Trojans career, he threw for 7,576 yards, 58 TDs and 24 interceptions. The yardage total is seventh in school history, and the touchdown total is tied for fifth.

North Carolina OLB Noah Taylor

The buzz: Taylor is a transfer from Virginia, so this is a two-fer for the Tar Heels: They have added a talented player and that talented player left a conference rival. Taylor was a three-year starter for the Cavaliers with legit big-play ability; he had 13 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups in his time at UVa. UNC was ninth in the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss in 2021, so Taylor’s addition is big. New defensive coordinator Gene Chizik should be able to put Taylor’s big-play ability to good use.

Florida State WR Winston Wright

The buzz: Wright is one of four transfer wide receivers added by the Seminoles. But while the additions of Oregon transfer Mycah Pittman and Arizona State transfer Johnny Wilson got more attention, Wright actually is a proven go-to commodity, unlike those two. Wright was the Mountaineers’ leading receiver in each of the past two seasons and an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2021. He had 63 receptions for 688 yards and five TDs in 2021, and had 45 catches for 529 yards and two TDs in 2020. Wright also was one of the better kick returners in the Big 12 in 2021, averaging 26.7 yards on 23 returns, including one for a TD against Long Island. FSU’s passing attack was extremely pedestrian in 2021: The Seminoles averaged just 201.6 passing yards per game. There were myriad reasons for that. QB Jordan Travis still is developing as a passer and he frequently had to run for his life because the offensive line struggled in pass protection. But the receivers weren’t exactly world-beaters, either, and Wright’s addition (as well as those of Pittman and Wilson) should help change that.