Match Game: Identifying best fits for top portal prospects
The transfer portal has been kicked into high gear and there are many players looking for a new program that will be the best fit from a style standpoint. Here are 10 good matches that we’ve found so far:
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RB/WR RALEEK BROWN, Oregon
The former five-star all-purpose back was arguably not used properly at USC as he wanted to come in to run the ball and also catch passes and he was moved to receiver pretty quickly. It just never really clicked even though Brown followed coach Lincoln Riley from a commitment at Oklahoma to signing with the Trojans. Oregon has been showing Brown interest and it could work. He still has incredible speed and elusiveness and he’s tough to tackle in a phone booth. Get him in space in Oregon’s offense and Brown could back up his five-star potential.
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QB AIDAN CHILES, Michigan State
The former Oregon State staff thought Chiles was loaded with talent and potential and while he got some action in his freshman season, the former four-star quarterback mainly sat behind DJ Uiagalelei waiting his turn. With coach Jonathan Smith leaving Corvallis for East Lansing, Uiagalelei hit the portal and Chiles could have stayed and played for the Beavers but instead he also hit the portal and visited Michigan State over the weekend. The combination of Chiles playing for Smith again could work seamlessly.
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WR JULIAN FLEMING, Penn State
Fleming is a talented former five-star receiver who picked Ohio State over Penn State and others but never was the top receiver for the loaded Buckeyes - but that could change if he transfers to play for the Nittany Lions. He grew up 90 minutes from Happy Valley, Penn State is desperate for playmakers at receiver and Fleming has the talent to shine if given the opportunity when he’s not surrounded by future first-round NFL Draft picks like he was at Ohio State. It could be his time to shine.
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OL EASTON KILTY, Kansas State
Texas Tech and Kansas State are the two programs showing the most interest in the North Dakota offensive line transfer but the Wildcats could be the best situation for the former unranked prospect from Stratford, Wisc., to shine. At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, Kilty is a big, physical offensive lineman who had great pass- and run-blocking numbers this past season. Kansas State ran the ball more than 100 times more than it threw it this season and Kilty could be perfect up front.
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QB RILEY LEONARD, Notre Dame
Leonard had an incredible 2022 season where he threw for 20 touchdowns, rushed for 699 yards and 13 more and led Duke to nine wins. But then in 2023, Leonard got injured, his stats basically plummeted because of it and the Blue Devils went 7-5. Mike Elko is off to Texas A&M and Leonard hit the portal for a fresh start. At Notre Dame, Leonard could basically step into a perfect situation for him, a balanced offense and from the second Leonard opted for the portal, the Irish were a team to watch.
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WR JA'MORI MACLIN, LSU
Star LSU receiver Malik Nabers had way more catches and receiving yards and just as many touchdowns as Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and while one can argue about the Biletnikoff Award and who should have been invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation, one thing is for sure: Productive receivers are wanted and needed in Baton Rouge. Enter Maclin, who also has Kentucky high on his list, but he caught 57 passes for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He can go to Baton Rouge and produce even more in an elite offense.
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QB JORDAN MCCLOUD, Indiana
After a couple of transfers, McCloud’s career never really took off until he landed at James Madison as this season he threw for 3,400 yards with 32 touchdowns and nine picks and he also rushed for a team-high eight rushing touchdowns. The Dukes went 11-1 - and now coach Curt Cignetti is off to Indiana as McCloud has entered the portal once again. McCloud and Cignetti work incredibly well together and now it could happen in the Big Ten.
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WR TOBIAS MERRIWEATHER, Washington
One of the reasons why Merriweather was so well-known during the recruiting process because he was the kid then-Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly visited on the same night (Kelly actually stepped outside for an extended period of time to take a phone call) that he was offered the LSU job. Merriweather followed his faith to Notre Dame and while it didn’t work out, he’s still a long, athletic and rangy receiver with skills. Those players have excelled at Washington and in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense. Plus, Merriweather would be coming home since he played at Vancouver (Wash.) Union.
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QB DANTE MOORE, Michigan
Oregon is probably not out of it for Moore even after former Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel picked the Ducks over the weekend - Gabriel has one more year left and Moore could get settled after an uneven year at UCLA before taking over the Ducks’ offense - but Michigan might be an even better situation. After JJ McCarthy, the Wolverines quarterback room is wide open and while high four-star Jadyn Davis is coming in and elite 2025 five-star QB Bryce Underwood is also a top Michigan target, Moore would have an opportunity to step in right away and win the job for this season’s top football team.
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RB GEORGE PETTAWAY, Boston College
Pettaway and Omarion Hampton both came to North Carolina as part of its 2022 recruiting class and it looked like both could be superstars in the backfield for the Tar Heels. But Hampton became the running back of choice this season and now Pettaway is looking for a new home. One of the schools that has been heavily involved so far is Boston College and the Eagles are in desperate need of an elite back like Pettaway. BC was led in rushing this season by its quarterback, Thomas Castellanos, so someone with Pettaway’s ability could see the field early.