Two Buffaloes and Jason Zandamela Lead the Transfer Portal's Uncommitted Underclassmen

Cormani McClain

Colorado

Three Years of Eligibility

Cormani McClain has already had an interesting recruitment and career, which only continues. Another top recruit from Florida, McClain was a five-star ranked 13th nationally, the third-best player in Florida, and the country's top cornerback. He was once committed to Miami, although surprisingly didn't commit on Early Signing Day. McClain ended up committing to Colorado on National Signing Day in February, but wasn't a fan of the Deion Sanders experiment. 

McClain did not play as much as anticipated, only appearing in nine and starting four games. After entering the portal, the 6'2", 165-pound CB held no punches against Colorado, saying "I feel like I just don't want to play for clicks I just want to be involved with a great, leading program that's going to develop players."

It was initially reported that USC and USF would be recruiting McClain, alongside South Carolina. I also presume Florida and Miami, two schools that heavily recruited McClain out of high school will be in it if bridges weren't burned. The talent is still there, and a more football-focused school would be best to bring it out from the portal's fifth-best corner and 22nd-ranked player.

Dylan Edwards

Colorado

Three Years of Eligibility 

McClain isn't the only notable Buffalo in the portal. 21 players have entered the portal and RB Dylan Edwards is just as promising as the CB listed above. Edwards burst onto the scene with Colorado in their game against TCU, recording 159 total yards with four TDs. The Buffaloes' leading rusher had 321 yards total on the ground, alongside 299 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

Edwards' recruitment bounced around. He committed to Kansas State first, before flipping to Notre Dame, and finally to Colorado after the Coach Prime hiring. Out of high school, the 5'9", 170-pound back was one of the fastest players in the country and ranked 174th nationally, 11th for RBs, and second for Kansas prospects. He's unranked in the portal.

A teamup with the top Kansas 2023 player, Kansas State QB Avery Johnson makes sense, who's seemingly already trying to recruit him. He likely could slot in as a gadget RB2 for 2024, then take lead-back duties the following year once DJ Giddens graduates. I also like the possibility of Florida State and USC, teams that frequently throw to running backs and are active in the portal.

Jaden Rashada

Arizona State

Four Years of Eligibility

Jaden Rashada follows the trend of twists and turns in recruitment. A longtime Florida commit, Rashada was given a $13.85 million dollar NIL deal over four years, although never was paid out, withdrawing his LOI. The 6'4", 185-pound passer started weeks one and two for the Sun Devils but got injured, only playing in one game after. He compiled pedestrian stats of 485 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions, completing 53.7% of passes.

Rashada missed more of spring ball with a broken thumb, and it appears that MSU transfer Sam Leavitt jumped him for the starting spot. Similar to McClain, Rashada might just need to play for a school with fewer distractions. He is currently the 10th-best QB and 71st overall player in the portal. Out of high school, the Pittsburg, CA native ranked sixth in his home state, seventh among quarterbacks, and 81st nationally.

Georgia is the current favorite to land Rashada's services, and are hosting him on a visit on Tuesday, April 23rd (the same day as publication). Fellow SEC schools Mississippi State and Auburn are other contenders. It should be noted Georgia did not offer Rashada in high school, but Auburn did, and Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby was the primary recruiter for Rashada back at Oklahoma, who also offered. I'd still bet on Georgia to get this commitment, however.

Micah Bell

Notre Dame

Four Years of Eligibility

Once a four-star CB from Houston, TX, Micah Bell has put himself in the Transfer Portal. Bell played in three games as a Freshman in 2023, recording just one tackle and preserving his redshirt. He is unranked in the Transfer Portal but was the 258th overall player, 30th CB recruit, and 46th rank prospect from Texas.

Bell looked impressive in Notre Dame's Spring Game last Saturday. He recorded two tackles and broke up a pair of passes. His departure puts holes in an already thin Fighting Irish Cornerback room. They are now down to six scholarship players, although two are True Freshman joining the team in June.

Prior to his commitment, Bell had Baylor, Duke, Harvard, Houston, Michigan State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, and Vanderbilt alongside Notre Dame in his top ten. I could see him landing at another one of those academic powerhouses, landing at one of Duke, Stanford, or Vanderbilt. The hometown Houston Cougars could also be a destination for Bell.