The transfer portal has been officially open for a week and hundreds of college football players from all levels have entered as they look for their next team. Here are the 10 biggest portal departures from teams in the SEC.
RELATED: Ten biggest portal departures in the Big Ten
MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking
1. RB JUSTICE HAYNES
Losing Haynes really hurts Alabama. The former No. 1 running back in the 2023 Rivals250 has been an important part of the Alabama offense since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. Even though he hasn't exactly filled up the stat sheet, Haynes found a nice role for the Crimson Tide. Ole Miss, South Carolina, Ohio State and a few others are in the running to land his commitment.
2. OL JOSHUA BRAUN
Arkansas has taken heavy losses on the offensive line but none hurt as much as losing Braun. As the anchor of the Arkansas offensive line, Braun was PFF’s 12th-highest graded SEC offensive lineman in pass blocking this season. The former Florida Gator is now headed to Kentucky, where he’ll use his final year of eligibility before heading off to the NFL.
3. DE SAMUEL M'PEMBA
M’Pemba’s lack of involvement at Georgia was puzzling given the talent he showed at the high school level. Georgia has a lot of really impressive edge defenders but M’Pemba was such a high end prospect that it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he would be one of their next stars. Obviously that's not the case anymore and he is headed elsewhere.
4. WR DANE KEY
Key has just one year of eligibility remaining but he is one of the very best prospects in the transfer portal right now. At Kentucky he was a star and one of the best receivers in the history of the program. Key has his choice of transfer destinations with teams like Ole Miss, Georgia, South Carolina, Miami and Nebraska in hot pursuit.
5. WR BARION BROWN
Brown certainly made his mark at Kentucky and now he is moving on to LSU. The record setting receiver and return man should bring an immediate spark to the Tigers' offense. Kentucky is really going to miss his playmaking abilities. Look for the Wildcats to work hard to bring in more receiving threats to fill the void.
6. DE WILLIAMS NWANERI
Missouri celebrated the signing of in-state five-star Williams Nwaneri but his time with the Tigers was short-lived. After just one season he is moving on to Nebraska. Losing a pass rusher with a ceiling like Nwaneri really hurts Missouri and finding a replacement might prove to be tricky.
7. RB KEWAN LACY
Lacy picking Missouri was a bit of a surprise at the end of his high school recruitment but his time in Columbia did not last long. Ole Miss finished second in his recruitment the first time around but they didn't miss on their second chance. Lacy entered the portal on Monday and by Monday night he had committed to Lane Kiffin and the Rebels. The freshman standout didn't get a ton of playing time at Missouri but losing a promising young playmaker like Lacy was not in the plans.
8. QB MICHAEL VAN BUREN
Van Buren exceeded expectations as a true freshman at Mississippi State but he decided not to return for another season after the Bulldogs decided to heavily pursue multiple quarterbacks in this transfer window. Still, Mississippi State would have loved to keep him on board and develop him so that he could take over the starting role in a year or two. Instead he's off to LSU where he is expected to back up incumbent Garrett Nussmeier while he learns the offensive system.
9. QB JACKSON ARNOLD
It was no secret that Auburn was going to be actively recruiting quarterbacks during this transfer window and the Tigers acted quickly. Former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold was the first of two quarterbacks to sign with the Tigers this past week. Arnold's departure from Norman was not a shock either. Starting the season under center for the Sooners then getting replaced and then being inserted back into the lineup was not a positive experience for the former five-star and a fresh start could be exactly what he needs.
10. DL KEESHAWN SILVER
Kentucky's defense was one of the better units in the SEC this year and Silver was right at the center of that group. The former North Carolina Tar Heel really blossomed once he arrived in Lexington but is now moving on and taking his final year of eligibility elsewhere. Silver has plenty of suitors and is nearing a decision but is mulling over contenders like Florida, USC, Michigan and Miami along with a possible return to Chapel Hill.
