By Tony Thomas
Now that bowl games have concluded, and the championship game is set, players are making decisions to hit the transfer portal and test the waters elsewhere. Here are five of those players looking for new homes.
QB Jordan McCloud
James Madison Dukes
6’0”, 199 lbs.
The 2023 Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year, Jordan McCloud led the Sun Belt in total offense at 302 yards per game. McCloud passed 3,657 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 INTs. In addition, McCloud added eight rushing touchdowns. He completed 68% of his passes. McCloud’s highlights include:
· Five games over 300 yards passing.
· Eight games of 3 or more passing touchdowns.
· Accounted for six touchdowns vs. Utah State and Georgia State.
· Did not throw an INT until week four of the season.
For his collegiate career, which included stops at South Florida and Arizona, McCloud has passed for almost 7,000 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 25 INTs. Possible destinations for McCloud include Washington State, Nebraska, and Miami. One school that really makes sense is Indiana, who just hired McCloud’s former coach at James Madison, Curt Cignetti.
QB Jayden Maiava
UNLV Rebels
6’4”, 220 lbs.
A true freshman in 2023, Jayden Maiava passed for 3.085 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 INTs. In addition, he added three rushing touchdowns, completing 63% of his passes. He led the Rebels to the Mountain West Conference Championship Game vs Boise State, which the Rebels lost 44-20.
Maiava had Power 4 offers from Auburn, Louisville, and Tennessee before selecting UNLV. He was the highest-rated quarterback prospect in school history. Auburn and head coach Hugh Freeze, in need of a quarterback, could call his number again in the portal.
OT Zalance Heard
LSU Tigers
6’5”, 308 lbs.
A former 5-star recruit and the #3 offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports, Zalance Heard could not crack the Tigers lineup, with established starters Will Campbell and Emery Jones blocking his way to becoming a starter.
Heard possesses a massive wing span and a muscular build. He has good lateral quickness and moves his feet well for a player his size. Heard did not accompany LSU to Tampa, Florida for their bowl game vs Wisconsin.
Heard had 19 scholarship offers coming out of Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana. Some of those schools that now could make sense for Heard include Coach Prime Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, national title game participant Michigan, the Portal Kings of Ole Miss, and if he wants to stay close to home-the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
WR Noah Rogers
Ohio State Buckeyes
6’2”, 205 lbs.
As a 4-star prospect out of high school, Noah Rogers was the 8th ranked wide receiver in the country, according to 247Sports. Rogers, who was considered “the best he’s ever seen” by his high school coach, but got stuck behind established receivers Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Emeka Ebuka once he arrived on campus.
Teams that could use a talented receiver like Rogers in 2024 include Alabama, North Carolina, Duke, Penn State, Oregon, Florida, Clemson, Auburn, and Tennessee.
WR Bryson Rodgers
Ohio State Buckeyes
6’2”, 185 lbs.
A 4-star prospect in the 2023 class, Bryson Rodgers was considered a top route runner that could play both on the perimeter and in the slot. He turned heads in spring practice, catching 90% of the passes thrown his way. However, he too could not get on the field ahead of Marvin Harrison. Jr. and Emeka Ebuka.
Rodgers had many offers out of high school. Those schools that now could be possible landing spots include national championship game participant Washington, UCF, Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon, Alabama, Florida State, LSU, and Mississippi State.
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