Top Transfer Portal Names Texas A&M Could Still Target For 2024 Season
College football's transfer portal window remains open a week after the confetti fell at NRG Stadium in Houston. And it'll stay active longer than usual with the current changes across the coaching world.
Nick Saban's retirement at Alabama was an atom bomb that shook the foreground of the sport. The departure of the seven-time national champion winner in Title Town created a ripple effect that has players revaluating their careers at their respective schools.
They'll have time, too. As a coach departs for his next adventure, 30 days are tacked on the portal window for the players left behind. This means Crimson Tide players will have to be persuaded by Kalen DeBoer to stick around and buy into the vision.
The same goes for Washington players now under former Arizona coach Jedd Fisch in Seattle.
Wash, rinse, repeat for the Wildcats and whoever they hire to retain a roster that won 10 games in 2023 and looks to be a threat to win the Big 12 in Year 1.
Crimson Tide receiver Isaiah Bond was the first major name to depart their respective school following change. He's now headed to Texas to replace Xavier Worthy as Quinn Ewers' No. 1 target.
He won't be the last player suiting up elsewhere next fall, either. Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad is in the portal. So is Alabama tight end Amari Niblack. Sights are on Tucson to see what the trio of Tetairoa McMillan, Jonah Coleman and Noah Fifita choose to do.
New Texas A&M Aggies tight end Trey Watson hauls in a pass at Fresno State
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So how does this affect Texas A&M? More names in the portal, more names for the Aggies to target. And while A&M won't be able to secure the commitments of every player, it could at least add a name or two to join the newest 21 transfers set to suit up next fall in College Station.
Here are the top names remaining in the portal entering mid-January:
LSU OL Lance Heard
Offensive linemen always carry weight due to their value. Heard, a former five-star as a top-three offensive tackle prospect, entered the portal earlier after mulling over his options around Christmas. The 6-6, 340-pound Louisiana native played in 12 games for the Tigers, including making one start.
A&M added three linemen via the portal following Mike Elko's arrival in December. Trey Zuhn, Chase Bisontis and Reuben Fatheree are all expected back for the 2024 season. Under new offensive line coach Adam Cushing, the Aggies could always use depth to raise the level of competition.
LSU CB Denver Harris
Harris began his career at Texas A&M as part of the historic 2022 recruiting class, but off-the-field concerns led to his eventual departure. He rarely saw action with the Tigers, recording seven tackles in five games. After the regular season, Harris announced he'd enter the portal a second time.
The Aggies added three cornerbacks, including Kasnas State's Will Lee III. Harris was scheduled to visit A&M earlier this month, though it is unclear if the meeting ever occurred. Elko, who served as A&M's defensive coordinator for four seasons before being hired at Duke, was on staff when Harris initially committed out of North Shore High School in Houston.
USC WR Dorian Singer
Singer was expected to become Caleb Williams' new top target in Los Angeles after Jordan Addison left for the NFL. As a sophomore at Arizona, the 6-1 pass-catcher broke out, totaling career-highs in receptions (66), receiving yards (1,105) and touchdowns (six).
That didn't happen. Singer finished with 24 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 as the Trojans trugged their way to a 7-5 regular season record. He entered the portal after the Holiday Bowl win over Louisville and is still looking for a permanent home.
The Aggies added Cyrus Allen (Louisiana Tech), and Jabre Baber (Troy). They still have Noah Thomas, Moose Muhammad III and Jahdae Walker returning, along with up-and-comers Micah Tease, four-star recruit Izaiah Williams and three-star Earnest Campbell. Singer's experience could provide value for Conner Weigman as he learns a new offensive concept under first-year coordinator Collin Klein.
Update: Singer has committed to Utah since the time of this posting
Oregon State WR Silas Bolden
Much like Singer, Bolden is looking for a new team to better his production. Last season with the Bears, the 5-8 slot target finished with 54 catches for a team-leading 746 yards and five touchdowns. After Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State, Bolden elected to enter the portal.
Texas looks to be the favorite to land the former Pac-12 receiver after hosting him earlier this month. Bolden will graduate from Oregon State before leaving for his next school, making him a summer enrolle. While the Aggies haven't gotten in the mix, that doesn't mean Elko won't entertain the idea of bringing in another receiver before spring practice kicks off.
Florida DL Will Norman
Players often follow coaches to new programs if their relationship is strong. How's Norman's relationship with new Aggies defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and defensive line coach Sean Spencer, who joined Elko after previously working on Billy Napier's staff in Gainesville?
A native of Camden, N.J., Norman considered A&M before committing to the Gators as a member of the 2023 draft. Former defensive line and interim coach Elijah Robinson recruited him to play under Jimbo Fisher. Now as the defensive coordinator for Syracuse, Robinson recently hosted Norman last month in upper New York.
