Transfer portal commitment predictions: A.J. Harris, Julian Fleming and more

With more transfer portal dominoes starting to fall, it’s time to start making some bold predictions.

These are not Recruiting Prediction Machine picks. If today was National Signing Day for the transfer portal, this is where I believe these five players will land. A confidence level has been attached to each pick, too.

This is the first edition of transfer portal commitment predictions. As the quarterback market becomes more clear, I’ll return to call my shot. Plus, another wave of entries is expected following the College Football Playoff semifinals. For now, however, here are five bold transfer portal predictions:

Georgia CB A.J. Harris – Auburn

Since Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris entered the transfer portal, Auburn has been the favorite to land the former four-star recruit. While his old secondary coach is now at Syracuse, the Tigers are the favorite to land Harris at the moment. My confidence level sits at 60%. If Harris visits Syracuse after the dead period, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Playing in seven games as a true freshman, he tallied eight total tackles. Harris has the potential and upside to develop into one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC. With three years of eligibility remaining, he’s currently ranked as the top cornerback in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings.

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson – UCF

With five years of experience at Arkansas, KJ Jefferson is one of the most established names at his position in the sport. He’s thrown for 7,923 yards and 67 touchdowns with just 18 interceptions. The former four-star recruit in the class of 2019 has 39 career starts, touting a 20-19 overall record.

While Miami and TCU are two schools to watch in KJ Jefferson’s recruitment, sources have told On3 this week that UCF has emerged as the team to watch for the Arkansas transfer quarterback. Putting my confidence level at 65% for him to land in Orlando. Jefferson doesn’t want to wait on the Hurricanes to sift through the quarterback situation. He would be a strong fit to lead the Knights in the Big 12. Gus Malzahn would be able to get the quarterback he’s been working to find this transfer portal cycle, too.

Ohio State WR Julian Fleming – Penn State

Penn State remains the clear favorite to land Ohio State transfer wide receiver Julian Fleming. He visited Happy Valley and Nebraska earlier this month. A native of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, he grew up roughly 90 minutes from Beaver Stadium. He leaves Columbus with 79 catches for 963 career yards and seven touchdowns. A two-time Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year, he was constantly fighting for playing time in a room that included Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.

He’s the exact type of wide receiver James Franklin needs to add to his offense to give Drew Allar a dynamic weapon to rely on. Against Michigan and Ohio State this season, the Nittany Lions were lacking in that category. Penn State has badly needed a top-dog wide receiver like Jahan Dotson, and Fleming has all the intangibles to fill that role. My confidence level sits at 70%, and I’ve also placed an RPM pick for him to land with the Nittany Lions.

Cal WR Jeremiah Hunter – Notre Dame

Ranked by the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings as the No. 4 best available wide receiver in the portal, Cal transfer Jeremiah Hunter is going to be courted by a slew of top programs. But Notre Dame has had Hunter circled as a target ever since he announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. While the Fighting Irish have already added Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell, Hunter would be the final piece of a talented wide receiver room for Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard to work with.

Hunter tallied 63 catches for 751 yards and seven touchdowns this season for the Golden Bears. He leaves Cal with 2,104 career receiving yards. The chance to play on the national stage at Notre Dame is attractive, too. Logging the confidence level at 60% with Hunter landing in South Bend.

UPDATE Friday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. ET: Have received some new intel that Washington is the favorite to now land the talented Cal transfer receiver. I am flipping my confidence level of 60% over to the Huskies.

Update Friday, Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. ET: Jeremiah Hunter has committed to Washington.

Utah WR Mikey Matthews – Arizona

Mikey Matthews is one of the most sought-after portal wide receivers still on the board. The Utah transfer made an official visit to Arizona earlier this month. Boise State has expressed interest while Kansas State has made an in-home visit.

Speaking with some sources, the Wildcats currently hold the edge. The former four-star recruit was productive as a true freshman with Utah, playing in all 12 games. He tallied 29 catches for 261 yards and was a contributor on kick returns with 309 yards. Putting a confidence level at 55% on Mikey Matthews joining Noah Fifita and Jedd Fisch in Tucson.