SEC Transfer Portal Update

By Chris Marler

UGA losing Branson Robinson 

Robinson was the No. 2 running back in the country out of high school. He spent three years in Athens but struggled to consistently see the field due to injuries. Robinson is a physical freak and has at least looked the part of an elite running back in the SEC.

17-year-old @GeorgiaFootball RB signee Branson Robinson is built different 🤯

(h/t @cfbnewstoday) pic.twitter.com/hwUXBnPLwj

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) February 10, 2022

Cal’s Cupboard is Bare of Bears 

If you ever wanted to play running back in college, there’s a good chance Cal would give you a look. That’s because their top four running backs all entered the portal within the first 24 hours of it opening this week. All four backs are talented, and all four were ranked a four star out of high school or currently as a transfer. The headliner is Jadyn Ott, who has been one of the most productive backs in America over the last two seasons. He’s heading to Oklahoma. As for the other three, we’ll wait and see. 

Regardless, all four backs leaving in a 24 hour span without a coaching change is one of the more bizarre things we’ve seen in the portal, maybe ever. Cal did hire Bryan Harsin to be their new offensive coordinator this past offseason, so maybe Auburn fans were right all along? 

Four Cal running backs entered the transfer portal IN ONE DAY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/9D18TVEXFo

— Rivals (@Rivals) April 15, 2025

Nico-Gate 

On today’s episode of Shark Tank…

Nico’s dad: Sharks, I am asking for $4 million dollars to give my son for the 2025 season. He had one of the highest ceilings in recruiting history just three years ago. Though our initial product launch didn’t live up to expectations, we are seeking one of the highest NIL deals in the country. In return, you will get a slightly above average quarterback, an overbearing parent that’s way too involved, and a 100 percent guarantee that we will inevitably ask for even more money if my son leads your team to a 28 point loss in the College Football Playoff. 

Nico Iamaleava and his dad have been one of the biggest villains and punchlines of the college football world this offseason. That’s partially because of their attempt to turn a high-level college football program into a travel ball team with the worst Daddy-Son combo ever. It’s also partially because of their own attempts to strong arm a playoff team into a pay raise for a kid who wasn’t good enough to beat out Joe Milton. 

As ridiculous as this whole thing has been, thanks are in order for these two all-time bag fumblers in a few years. Why? Because their greed and let’s just call a spade a spade – bulls*** – will most likely be the tipping point this sport needed for change, guardrails, and some sort of leadership and regulation. 

Stats not working in Nico Iamaleava’s favor:

-14.9% of pass attempts were 20 yards (12th in SEC)
-38% adjusted completion % on 20-yard throws (12th in SEC)
-Under pressure, 4.9 yards/attempt & 52% adjusted completion % (both 19th in SEC) w/ 0 big-time throws

That’s not elite.

— Connor O’Gara (@cjogara) April 12, 2025

As of earlier this week, Iamaleava’s camp was very confident that the market for Nico in this window would be around $4 million. However, the initial suitors who were thought to be in on him like UNC, USC, and Tulane have all backed off. His deal at Tennessee was somewhere between $2.2 and $2.5 million according to On3. However, the market has spoken and every team he’s spoken with is pushing for something closer to $1 million. 

There’s only one team who is entertaining anything over that number, and that’s UCLA. 

$4m? A bargain. pic.twitter.com/L25DhpP9EI

— Simon Carroll (@NFLDraftSi) April 15, 2025

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