By Tony Thomas
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith picked up a commitment from an 1100-yard rusher from the transfer portal. Oklahoma, UCF, and Auburn upgraded their defense, and the Men of Troy welcome back a pass catcher from Westwood.
RB Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams
Michigan State Spartans (from UMass)
5’10”, 205 lbs.
As a 1st Team All-Independent selection, Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams rushed for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lynch-Adams recorded four games of over 100 yards rushing, including a season-high 234 yards and three TDs in a 21-14 win over Army.
Lynch-Adams is an immediate upgrade for a Spartan rushing attack that ranked 127th in the FBS in rushing offense. He started his career with Rutgers in 2019.
DE Keyron Crawford
Auburn Tigers (from Arkansas State)
6’4”, 243 lbs.
In 2023, Keyron Crawford recorded 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and one blocked kick. In addition, Crawford posted four games of six or more tackles. Crawford’s sack totals would have been among the leaders on the Auburn team.
DL Jermayne Lole
Oklahoma Sooners (from Louisville)
6’3”, 310 lbs.
Last season, Jermayne Lole recorded 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry, and a forced fumble. Lole is a former honorable mention All PAC-12 performer while at Arizona State in 2019.
He comes to a Sooners defensive unit that brings back seven starters and contributors, including Billy Bowman, Danny Stutsman, Ethan Downs, and Da’Jon Terry.
Edge Nijalik Kelly
UCF Knights (from Miami)
6’5”, 250 lbs.
Nijalik Kelly comes to UCF with 18 career tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. A consensus 4-star prospect and #119 on the ESPN 300, Kelly chose Miami over Auburn, Clemson, Texas, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, and Georgia.
WR Kyle Ford
USC Trojans (from UCLA)
6’3”, 220 lbs.
Catching a cross-town bus from Westwood back to the USC campus, Kyle Ford caught 22 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown, which ranked 4th on the Bruins team.
In his first stint with the Trojans, Ford totaled 637 yards and five touchdowns. Ford will provide a talented target for presumed QB1 starter Miller Moss.
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