Usually the fireworks are reserved for the NFL offseason and free agency, but college football is giving the NFL a run for its money. With the transfer portal and NIL in full swing, we’re seeing over a thousand players looking for new places to play in 2023. Here’s a quick update in case you missed anything.
Two Highly Touted Quarterbacks Find Homes
The most difficult thing to keep up with during the transfer portal fiasco was all the QBs who’d be playing elsewhere in 2023. Some have committed already, while others are still searching for a home. Recently, two quarterbacks who courted lots of interest committed.
Devin Leary, the number one quarterback transfer from North Carolina State, was a hot commodity. In six games with the Wolfpack this season, Leary threw for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns. After jumping in the portal, it didn’t take long for him to find a new home. This afternoon, he announced that he’d be playing at Kentucky for his remaining seasons of eligibility. The addition of Leary is massive with Will Levis going into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Another name that entered the transfer portal was Connecticut native and former Notre Dame signal-caller Drew Pyne. Pyne stepped in this season for the injured Tyler Buchner and played in eleven games, throwing for 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was instrumental in Irish wins over Clemson, North Carolina, and BYU. He announced yesterday on social media that he’d be committing to Arizona State. I can’t lie, this decision shocked me a bit since I thought he’d come back to the northeast. Names like UConn and Boston College swirled around, but it looks like Pyne Time will be in Tempe next season.
TCU Brings an Offensive Tackle Home
The rich keep getting richer. TCU has had a remarkable season thus far, and they’ve just landed a future NFL offensive tackle transfer. Tommy Brockermeyer attended All Saints Episcopal High School in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was a five-star tackle. Brockermeyer committed to Alabama out of high school, but injuries have derailed his playing time in Tuscaloosa. He’s only played in two games since arriving at Alabama, but will surely make an impact at TCU.
Nate Carter Goes to the Big Ten
This section is geared more towards myself and fellow UConn football aficionados. Running back Nate Carter, who unfortunately played in only four games for UConn due to injury, entered the portal and picked up offers from UMass and Akron. Then, he shocked Husky fans when he committed to Michigan State. I think with Carter entering the portal, the writing was on the wall that his RB1 spot was gone. Victor Rosa stood out as a freshman this year, and Devontae Houston is returning.
In the four games that Carter played in last year, he did show out. He carried the ball 65 times for 405 yards and one touchdown, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The Spartans got a good one.
NC State Adds Stars on Offense and Defense
I think that North Carolina State was one of the most disappointing teams of 2022. Granted, Devin Leary was banged up, but Dave Doeren is making sure it doesn’t happen again. They went out and grabbed help on both offense and defense. The Wolfpack added versatile offensive lineman Dawson Jaramillo. Jaramillo played in twenty-two games while at Oregon for five years. In 2021, Jaramillo played over twenty snaps at every positions except for center. He’s also got a sick flow.
Then, on the defensive side of the ball, North Carolina State added safety Robert Kennedy III from Old Dominion. This is Kennedy’s second transfer after leaving East Carolina for Old Dominion following his freshman season. In 2022, Kennedy tallied 53 tackles, two forced fumbles, and six pass breakups. His addition is massive for the Wolfpack secondary.
UMass Cleans Up While Looking to Improve
Much like the Nate Carter transfer, this UMass news is more for myself than most readers as Amherst is a quick forty-five minute drive north of me. Don Brown didn’t have a great first season (just 1-11), but he’s gearing up for 2023. Brown has secured four transfer commits thus far, including two from Arizona, where Brown last coached.
The Minutemen have grabbed former Miami defensive back Jalen Harrell as well. Harrell saw minimal playing time with the Hurricanes, but adds safety depth in Don Brown’s ferocious defensive scheme. They also brought on Appalachian State wide receiver Christian Wells. Wells played in eight games for the Mountaineers this season, catching nine passes for 170 yards and three scores.
In addition to Wells and Harrell, Brown poached two Arizona defenders to play for UMass. Brown added defensive lineman JB Brown, who played in four games for the Wildcats in 2022. He tallied eight tackles, with two coming against Oregon. The fourth transfer is linebacker Tyler Martinm and this is a homecoming for him. Martin is from Acton, Massachusetts, and he went to Buckingham Brown for high school. The 6’1, 245 pound linebacker didn’t see action as a freshman.