The transfer portal opens in about two months and there are dozens of players across the country already weighing the decision to transfer or not. With half of the season in the rear view mirror, now is a good time to take note of the players to watch once the transfer portal opens on Dec. 9.
Today we conclude a conference by conference Portal Watch series highlighting players who we’re keeping an eye on as portal season gets closer. Up next is the Big 12.
THIS SERIES: Big Ten players to monitor as potential transfers | SEC | ACC
MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking | Basketball Player Ranking
Brooks is already in the transfer portal as a grad transfer but he’s one to keep an eye on as the December window nears. The former Oklahoma State standout was an important part of the Cowboys' 2023 offensive line before he sustained a season-ending injury.
Brooks, who started his college career at Vanderbilt, will use up the rest of his eligibility at a third program.
There should be a long list of suitors for Brooks. Offensive linemen with a lot of experience are often heavily pursued if they’re in the transfer portal.
It has been a little strange to see Hudson’s slow start compared with the other five-star receivers from the 2024 class. The Texan was viewed as a likely immediate difference maker for Texas Tech but instead he has barely been on the field.
Through six games this season, Hudson has only played 50 offensive snaps. For a frame of reference, Jeremiah Smith, Cam Coleman and Ryan Williams have all seen at least 200 offensive snaps this season. The only 2024 five-star receiver who has played fewer snaps than Hudson is Mike Matthews with just 33 offensive snaps.
Programs around the country were trying desperately to flip Hudson away from Texas Tech during the recruiting process and he would surely still be in high demand if he entered the portal, though he has shown no dissatisfaction with his role in Lubbock.
Another highly touted receiver who hasn’t seen the field much in a pass-happy offense, Miller will be one to keep an eye on come portal season. Miller, a former Texas A&M commit, signed with the Buffaloes and there was an expectation that he’d be able to positively impact their offense during his first season in Boulder. That, so far, has not been the case.
Miller has only nine targets and 47 offensive snaps through five games. It’s also important to factor in the uncertainty surrounding Deion Sanders and if he’ll remain the head coach at Colorado once Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders leave for the NFL.
Pulido was expected to be Arizona’s left tackle prior to the start of fall camp but on July 31 head coach Brent Brennan announced that Pulido would be unavailable for the 2024 season. There has been no public clarification of what that means but, now that Arizona is five games into the season, Pulido remains absent from the field during games.
The former Alabama commit was a Rivals250 prospect in the 2023 class. Pulido started the final four games of the 2023 season for Arizona but once the season was over Pulido entered and then withdrew from the transfer portal. Being held out for this season and having a history of flirting with the transfer portal, Pulido seems like a player to keep an eye on as the December window gets closer.
To be clear, Seaton hasn’t even hinted at thinking about transferring but he needs to be included on this list because of the uncertain future ahead for Colorado. After this season, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders will be off to the NFL Draft, which leads everyone to the question: Will Deion Sanders decide to remain Colorado’s head coach?
Seaton will have a big decision to make if Coach Prime decides not to return to Colorado next season.