10 overlooked offensive transfers from the 2021 portal
Everybody who follows college football knows about the “big” offseason transfers, such as Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to Kentucky, Marshall guard Cain Madden to Notre Dame and Tennessee running back Ty Chandler to North Carolina.
But with more than 1,500 players entering the transfer portal, there were a lot of moves that didn’t get a lot of ink. We spotlight 10 of those guys here, a list of under-the-radar offensive transfers who could make large impacts this fall. (We’ll do 10 defensive guys Saturday.) The players are listed alphabetically.
RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Transferred from: Michigan
The buzz: Charbonnet was a four-star recruit and a national top-50 prospect in the 2019 signing class. He led the Wolverines in rushing as a true freshman, then all but disappeared last season, getting just 19 carries. Charbonnet has transferred home, as he went to high school (Westlake Village Oaks Christian) in the L.A. suburbs. He is both big (6 feet 2, 215 pounds) and fast, and also can run over people. UCLA had a good backfield last season with QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and RB Demetric Felton, but this season’s backfield can be better because of Charbonnet’s addition and the return of RB Brittain Brown.
C Danny Godlevske, Oklahoma State
Transferred from: Miami (Ohio)
The buzz: Godlevske, who will be a sixth-year senior, was a four-year starter with the RedHawks and earned third-team All-MAC acclaim three times. Oklahoma State’s line was in flux last season, and even though there will be three new starters, Godlevske’s steadiness is a reason this season’s line should be better than 2020’s.
WR D.J. Matthews, Indiana
Transferred from: Florida State
The buzz: Matthews (pictured above) entered the portal in September and chose IU in November. Matthews played in 34 games with the Seminoles but never became the explosive receiver that many expected him to be. Indeed, he was more of a possession guy, with 84 career receptions for 809 yards (9.6 yards per catch) and five TDs. Interestingly, he was a dangerous punt returner for the Seminoles, averaging 10.4 yards on 56 returns. Matthews will slide into the slot receiver position left vacant by Whop Philyor, like Matthews a Florida native. Philyor averaged 11.5 yards on his 180 career receptions with the Hoosiers. Matthews and returning starter Ty Fryfogle should form a potent duo for QB Michael Penix Jr.
G Marcus Minor, Pitt
Transferred from: Maryland
The buzz: Pitt’s line was somewhat disappointing last season and its best player, center Jimmy Morrissey, now is in the NFL. Minor made 17 starts at Maryland, with 13 at tackle and four at guard. But he will play guard for the Panthers and has the potential to make an impact in the running game. Pitt’s line coach is Dave Borbely, formerly Maryland’s line coach and one of Minor’s main recruiters when he signed with the Terps.
C Kody Russey, Houston
Transferred from: Louisiana Tech
The buzz: Russey will be a sixth-year senior this fall. He was a four-year starter at Louisiana Tech and immediately becomes the guy in the middle for the Cougars. Russey was a first-team All-Conference USA selection for the Bulldogs last season and should vie for first-team honors in the AAC this fall. Houston’s offensive line was a disappointment last season, and Russey is a key part of a remodeling of the unit.
WR Samari Toure, Nebraska
Transferred from: Montana
The buzz: The Huskers’ offense took a big hit when WR Wan’Dale Robinson left for home-state Kentucky, but the hope is that Toure will be able to fill part (if not all) of the void. Toure has excellent size (6-3, 190) and possesses the ability to play outside or in the slot. He was a FCS first-team All-American in 2019 for Montana, and had 155 receptions for 2,488 yards and 20 touchdowns in his Grizzlies career.
RB Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Transferred from: Wake Forest
The buzz: Michigan State’s running game was pitiful last season. Enter Walker, who rushed for 1,158 yards and 17 TDs in two seasons at Wake (weirdly, he had exactly 579 yards in both 2019 and 2020). He shared time at Wake but still had five 100-yard games in his two seasons there. Walker (5-10, 210) has big-play ability and is comfortable running between the tackles. He will run behind a line that returns all five starters.
TE Jelani Woods, Virginia
Transferred from: Oklahoma State
The buzz: Woods was a 6-7, 230-pound quarterback when he signed with Oklahoma State in the 2017 signing class; now he’s a 6-7, 275-pounder. He made 28 career starts with the Cowboys and is an “old style” tight end in that he can line up next to a tackle and do some damage as a run blocker. Woods had 31 receptions and four TDs at Oklahoma State. He had a big spring for the Cavs, flashing legit receiving ability, and could be in line to exceed his career totals this fall.
OT Max Wray, Colorado
Transferred from: Ohio State
The buzz: Wray was a four-star recruit and a national top-125 prospect from the Nashville suburbs in the 2018 signing class. But he couldn’t carve out any consistent playing time in a loaded Buckeyes offensive front. The Buffs need a left tackle with the early departure to the NFL by Will Sherman, and Frank Fillip, the returning starter at right tackle, suffered a torn labrum during spring ball. Thus, there’s ample opportunity. Wray played in 10 games the past two seasons, including one start at right tackle.
QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
Transferred from: Houston Baptist
The buzz: Zappe was the Southland Conference player of the year last season and followed Huskies OC Zach Kittley to Western. Zappe (6-2, 215) threw for 1,833 yards, 15 TDs and a pick in four games last season, and for 10,004 yards and 78 TDs in his HBU career. WKU returns two starting receivers, and three wideouts came with Zappe from HBU. In short, there won’t be a shortage of weapons.
(Top photo of Matthews: Courtesy of Indiana Athletics)