Kansas Loses Former Top-100 Prospect Damarius McGhee to Portal

Damarius McGhee’s time in Lawrence has come to an end, as the former LSU four-star and Top‑100 cornerback has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal.

McGhee, who arrived at Kansas ahead of the 2023 season, ends an injury-plagued career in Lawrence, which severely limited his time on the gridiron.

McGhee began his college career at LSU, where he made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2021, even starting in a bowl game. He entered the portal for the first time in December of 2022 and chose Kansas over other suitors. As a four‑star recruit from Pensacola Catholic, Florida, he was ranked No. 90 nationally and No. 9 at cornerback in the 2021 class.

Health issues limited McGhee’s time on the field at Kansas as he suited up in eight games across two seasons, including six in 2024, and recorded eight tackles. A back injury held him out for much of the 2023 campaign, and he saw minimal reps in ’24.

McGhee’s decision to enter the transfer portal marks a disappointing end to a promising chapter that never fully materialized in Lawrence. The former four-star recruit and Top-100 national prospect brought SEC pedigree and significant upside to Kansas after transferring from LSU. Still, injuries and limited opportunities kept him from becoming a consistent contributor in the Jayhawks’ secondary.

With spring ball underway, Kansas must now evaluate whether the remaining cornerbacks are prepared to shoulder bigger roles or if the staff should target an experienced transfer to reinforce the secondary.

For Kansas, it’s a tough loss of a player who once projected as a future difference-maker. McGhee’s elite athletic profile and experience in two Power Four programs made him a valuable depth piece with upside. His departure thins the cornerback rotation and underscores the volatility of roster building in the portal era.