MARLER: Top 5 SEC transfer portal targets
12/24/2024
By Chris Marler
The first several weeks of the transfer portal were a flurry of entrants and commitments. As we’ve kept track over 2,000 total players and 264 SEC players entered their names in the portal. Of those 2,000 the top players in large part committed almost immediately. In fact, 40 of the top 50 overall available transfer portal players according to On3 have already committed to their next destination.
Here’s a look at the best available SEC targets and players who are still uncommitted.
- Zachariah Branch, WR Southern Cal
Branch was a five-star coming out of national power Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.
Despite primarily being a wide receiver, Branch is a threat in several phases of the game. He’s scored touchdowns receiving, rushing and via punt and kickoff return in his first two seasons. He has been crystal balled to Georgia but has also visited Arizona State as well.
- Kevin Concepcion, WR NC State
Concepcion was a three-star recruit out of high school. However, in his first two seasons in Raleigh, he racked up 18 total touchdowns and is currently the No. 4 overall recruit in the transfer portal. He’s taken visits to Alabama, Colorado and Texas A&M. Alabama currently leads according to On3, but he is looking to set up visits in January to UNC, Penn State, and more.
- Justice Haynes, RB Alabama
Haynes was a five-star recruit out of high school that got limited looks in his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa. Even as a “starter” this season he averaged around 6.5 carries per game and had just 79 all season. Haynes is heading into his draft eligible junior season and is down to Michigan and South Carolina. Ole Miss was thought to be in the mix initially, but it is now a two-team race.
- Johntay Cook, WR Texas
Cook is a bit of an enigma as he was a consensus five-star wide receiver out of high school just two cycles ago. However, he only caught eight passes this season for 137 yards and decided before the regular season was over that he would be entering the portal. Cook has visited Washington and Florida so far with Florida taking a commanding lead thanks to his connection with freshman phenom quarterback DJ Lagway.
- Fluff Bothwell, RB South Alabama
Bothwell was a three-star recruit and the 99th ranked running back in the country out of high school. However, his transfer portal ranking skyrocketed after averaging over 7.5 yards per carry and scoring 13 touchdowns at South Alabama in his first season. He is currently considered a lock to Mississippi State but has seen interest from several other SEC schools as well.
