By Franz Beard
A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning:
THE QUARTERBACK MARKET IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Former Florida quarterback commitment Nick Evers has cast his lot with Brent Venables, Jeff Lebby and the Oklahoma Sooners. We will never know if he had been a good fit for the offense that Billy Napier plans to introduce to the Gators, just as we don’t know who among Florida’s current quarterbacks – Emory Jones, Anthony Richardson, Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna – elect to stick it out, at least through the spring.
Nick Evers is a talented kid, but he’s going to Oklahoma where, by all accounts, Caleb Williams is planning to stick it out. So, barring injury or a sudden slump in Williams productivity, Evers is going to sit awhile, which is what he would have done at Florida.
Three years ago, we might be in a mild state of panic over losing a 4-star QB recruit, but now with the NCAA transfer portal, why lose any sleep? Not when you can go to the portal and bring in someone with experience to plug in and play immediately. That’s what Kentucky did last year when Will Levis left Penn State. Levis was a serious upgrade from Terry Wilson and one of the main reasons Kentucky finished 9-3 and second in the SEC East.
South Carolina upgraded its quarterback room significantly Monday night when Spencer Rattler, who began 2021 as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, announced he’ll be a Gamecock. Rattler was 140-187 (74.9 percent) for 1,483 yards (7.9 per attempt) and 11 touchdowns (5 picks) but was benched for Williams. He’s thrown for 4,595 yards and 40 touchdowns and still has three years of eligibility remaining.
Here are 12 other quarterbacks of significance that are on the market:
Kedon Slovis: He’s the reason JT Daniels transferred out of Southern Cal. Now he’s in the portal after throwing for 7,576 yards (7.9 per attempt) and 58 TDs in three years. Because of 2020, he has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Dillon Gabriel: He was all but a lock to Ole Miss before Jeff Lebby took the OC job at Oklahoma. Now it’s a tossup between UCLA and Ole Miss. At UCF, Gabriel threw for 8,041 yards (8.8 per attempt) and 70 TDs (just 14 picks). He has two seasons of eligibility.
Cameron Ward: This may turn out to be the hottest QB on the market. Back in the spring at D1AA Incarnate Word he threw for 2,260 yards and 24 TDs (only four picks) in six games. In the full fall season he threw for 4,648 yards (7.9 per attempt) and 47 touchdowns in 13 games. He is big (6-3, 220), fast and has what is described as an NFL arm. He’s already visited Ole Miss and has been linked to several Power Five schools including Florida.
Max Johnson: He has three full seasons of eligibility remaining after throwing for 3,883 yards (7.4 per attempt) and 35 touchdowns (only 7 INTs) at LSU. He’s thought to be Florida State-bound as a package deal with his 4-star tight end younger brother.
Bo Nix: You wonder what might happen if he ever gets some good coaching. During his time at Auburn he threw for 7,251 yards (6.9 per attempt) and 39 touchdowns and ran for 838 yards and 18 more TDs. He beat Alabama as a true freshman in 2019. He’s a grad transfer with two years of eligibility.
Myles Brennan: Can he stay healthy? In the first three games of 2020 before he was injured, Brennan threw for 1,112 yards (8.5 per attempt) and 11 TDs (3 picks). Next year will be his sixth year since leaving high school but he still has two years eligibility remaining.
Zach Calzada: In his only season as a full-time starter he beat Alabama. He threw for 2,185 yards and 17 touchdowns (9 picks). He has three seasons of eligibility.
Jack Plummer: He’s been good when he’s healthy. He has a big arm and two seasons of eligibility. At Purdue he threw for 3,405 yards (6.9 per attempt) and 26 touchdowns (10 picks).
Jack Miller: He got caught up in the QB glut at Ohio State where he threw only 14 passes (completed 7 for 101 yards). His upside is four years of eligibility remaining. No questioning the talent.
Chubba Purdy: He was a big time recruit to Florida State but things didn’t pan out for him there so he’s in the portal with four years of eligibility. He’s the younger brother of Iowa State star Brock Purdy and that could be his next destination.
Harrison Bailey: He’s another one with four years of eligibility due to the COVID year in 2020. That’s when he threw for 578 yards and four touchdowns at Tennessee. He played in one game in 2021 when Josh Heupel brought in a pair of transfer quarterbacks.
Michael Penix: He’s never had a full season healthy, but when he’s upright and able to move, there’s no question he’s talented. The Tampa native is leaving Indiana after throwing for 4,197 yards (7.3 per attempt) and 29 TDs (15 picks). He’s also run for six touchdowns.
GATORS DROP OUT OF TOP 25 HOOPS RANKINGS
Not that anyone should be remotely surprised, but the Gators (7-3) dropped completely out of the top 25 rankings in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. The loss to Maryland Sunday by itself wouldn’t have hurt that much, but the Texas Southern loss last Monday means UF is going to have to make up a lot of ground in the eyes of the voters before they ever sniff the top 25 again.
Associated Press Top 25: 1. Baylor 9-0; 2. Duke 7-1; 3. Purdue 9-1; 4. UCLA 9-1; 5. Gonzaga 8-2; 6. Alabama 8-1; 7. Kansas 8-1; 8. Airzona 9-0; 9. Villanova 7-3; 10. Southern Cal 10-0; 11. Iowa State 10-0; 12. Michigan State 9-2; 13. Auburn 8-1; 14. Houston 8-2; 15. Ohio State 8-2; 16. Seton Hall 9-1; 17. Texas 6-2; 18. Tennessee 7-2; 19. LSU 9-0; 20. UConn 9-2; 21. Kentucky 7-2; 22. Xavier 9-1; 23. Colorado State 10-0; 24. Arkansas 9-1; 25. Texas Tech 7-1
Coaches Top 25: 1. Baylor 9-0; 2. Duke 7-1; 3. UCLA 9-1; 4. (Tie) Purdue 9-1 and Gonzaga 8-2; 6. Arizona 9-0; 7. Kansas 8-1; 8. Alabama 8-1; 9. Southern Cal 10-0; 10. Villanova 7-3; 11. Iowa State 10-0; 12. Michigan State 9-2; 13. Houston 8-2; 14. Auburn 8-1; 15. Ohio State 8-2; 16. Seton Hall 9-1; 17. Texas 6-2; 18. Tennessee 7-2; 19. Arkansas 9-1; 20. LSU 9-0; 21. Kentucky 7-2; 22. UConn 9-2; 23. Colorado State 10-0; 24. Texas Tech 7-1; 25. Xavier 9-1
OVER, UNDER, AROUND AND THROUGH THE SEC
Alabama: Named to the Associated Press All-America first team were quarterback Bryce Young, wide receiver Jameson Williams and linebacker Will Anderson. Offensive tackle Evan Neal made second team and safety Jordan Battle made third team.
Arkansas: Former LSU defensive end Landon Jackson is transferring to Arkansas.
Auburn: Running back Tank Bigsby, who placed his name in the NCAA transfer portal, has decided to remain at Auburn after all … Quarterback Bo Nix, however, is transferring out as a graduate. Because of the COVID year (2020) he will have two years of eligibility … Corner Roger McCreary was named first team AP All-America.
Georgia: Defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean made first team AP All-America. Tight end Brock Bowers made second team as did D-lineman Devonte Wyatt. Safety Lewis Cine made third team … Drew Bobo, son of fired Auburn offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, de-committed Auburn and has committed to Georgia. Bobo is a 3-star offensive lineman.
Kentucky: Offensive tackle Darian Kinnard was named first team AP All-America … Former Auburn offensive lineman Tashawn Manning announced that he is transferring to Kentucky. Manning spent five years at Auburn where he played in 12 games in 2021, starting the last three at left guard … Linebacker Marquez Bembry, who had 37 tackles in three seasons, is in the transfer portal.
LSU: Brian Kelly is trying to lure Kentucky defensive coordinator to Baton Rouge according to FootballScoop.com.
Mississippi State: Redshirt freshman safety Janari Dean, a former 3-star recruit, has entered the transfer portal. He played in nine games in 2021 and was in on three tackles.
Missouri: Running back Tyler Badie made second team AP All-America and center Michael Maietti made third team … Mizzou running backs coach Curtis Luper is being targeted by new Virginia coach Tony Elliott.
Ole Miss: Edge rusher Sam Milliams made third team AP All-America … Although he’s leaving Ole Miss for Oklahoma, Jeff Lebby will call the plays for Ole Miss against Baylor in the Sugar Bowl.
South Carolina: In addition to the news that quarterback Spencer Rattler is transferring in from Oklahoma, the Gamecocks got another transfer from OU, tight end Austin Stogner, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Stogner caught 47 passes for 654 yards and eight touchdowns while at OU … Offensive lineman Vincent Murphy, a former 3-star recruit out of St. Thomas Acquinas, has entered the transfer portal. Murphy played in eight games in 2021 at both center and guard. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Texas A&M: Quarterback Zach Calzada has placed his name in the transfer portal. Calzada threw for 2,189 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading the Aggies to an 8-4 record that included a win over Alabama … Former 4-star defensive back Dreydon Norwood, who took a redshirt in 2021, has put his name in the transfer portal … 5-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen has decided he will not sign in December but will wait instead until February. Does that mean he will flip to Tennessee or Florida? … Defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal made first team AP All-America while offensive guard Kenyon Green made second team.
Vanderbilt: Proof that when you’re Vanderbilt you may have to take unconventional recruiting routes is the new defensive tackle commitment. He’s Yilianan Ouattara, a 6-6, 275-pound defensive tackle from Cologne, Germany.
ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Leave it to Lane Kiffin to call it what it is. Asked about transfers Monday, Kiffin said, “I don’t think people really say it this way, but let’s not make a mistake. We have free agency in college football. The kids a lot of times go to where they get paid the most. No one else is saying that maybe, but the kids say, ‘This is what I’m getting here for NIL’ and so what we really have is what it is … free agency has been created in college football, except you can’t lock people into a contract. They can go at any time. So, it’s a new world that we’re in. Sometimes they want to come to you and say, ‘I get this much money if I go there,’ so this is just a whole new thing to deal with.”
The transfer portal is taking its toll because now, in addition to recruiting high school and juco kids, a coach has to recruit players from the transfer portal as well as re-recruit his own players. Well, at least those he wants to stay.
Counting walk-ons, 2,626 college football players transferred in the 2020-21 cycle. By the time we hit May or June of 2022, you can expect more than 3,000 will have said good-bye to their scholarships at one school in search of a greener pasture somewhere else.
When you throw in the NIL money, transfers will go where they’re getting paid just as recruits from high school and jucos. None of this was an intended consequence, but it is what we have now. It’s time to admit college football is officially the minor leagues of the NFL.
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