Yo. The transfer portal is really fun, eh? We’re all having a great ole fun time… right?! Let’s have some more fun and predict where some studs will be playing ball in 2023. Surely this won’t go terribly wrong and I’ll actually get a few right… right?! Introducing the first edition of… Predicting the Transfer Portal.

Ali Jennings III – WR

2022: 54 Receptions – 959 Receiving Yards – 9 Touchdowns

I’m a big fan of Ali Jennings III. He performed at a high level in 2022 after a strong 2021 season. Unfortunately, his volume these last two seasons has been less than desirable, which has led to lackluster outings to no fault of his own, and not near enough national recognition. Eventually the lack of volume was one of the main reasons he’s in the portal. The 6-foot-2 wideout is a big play threat on every single down, as evidenced by yards per catch totals of 24.4, 25.0, and 35.0 in three games this season. The contested catch demon showed to be a force against Power Five competition as well. Just ask Virginia Tech and Virginia how difficult it is to cover Ali. He currently has offers from Kansas, Washington State, Colorado, Louisville, Duke, Virginia Tech and Mississippi State. Deion Sanders got the job at Colorado and offered Jennings right away. His most recent offer came from Washington State, and he’ll continue to stack up offers from P5 programs.

Prediction: Duke – I think the ACC is the best conference for Jennings to play in and build his NFL draft stock. The allure of the Virginia kid staying in state to play for UVA or Virginia Tech is real, but I don’t think either offense offers him much at all. I view Duke as an extremely good landing spot for a variety of reasons. He will be the star WR1 from the second he steps on campus, and he’d be on the end of some serious volume leading to big-time production in a P5 conference. He’d be playing with Riley Leonard, a quarterback who I believe will continue to trend upward as a potential NFL prospect. When eyes are on Leonard, they’ll be on Jennings as well. There are opportunities in the ACC to carve up bad defenses and rack up silly stats. But there are also chances to play against some of the best defenders in the nation who have NFL eyes all over them. There’s also just some really dang good defenses in the ACC like Clemson and NC State, and Duke plays both of them in 2023 in addition to Notre Dame. If Ali Jennings III wants to build up his NFL stock… I think Duke is the move.

Kyle Morlock – TE

2022: 30 Catches – 446 Receiving Yards – 6 Touchdowns

I truly believe that one of the most intriguing players in the portal is a Division II tight end from Shorter University in Rome, Ga. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound beast is attracting attention from FBS schools far and wide. His lateral movement jumps off the screen. It’s movement that a dude at his size shouldn’t possess but alas… he’s got it and it’s worth investing in! Kyle Morlock boasts a huge catch radius as well. I think he’s someone that will crush it in the red zone for an FBS team. I really think Morlock is worth investing in and I’m stoked to see where he lands. The decision is ultra important and needs to be analyzed thoroughly. He’s got offers from Tennessee, Florida State, Mizzou, Tulane, Illinois, LSU, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Wisconsin, and so many others. Oregon State is a spot that really sticks out to me because of how he’d be able to develop as a blocker. If the Beavers land a strong quarterback, I think that’d be an excellent spot but I can’t bank on so many dominoes to fall.

Prediction: Wisconsin – With Luke Fickell taking over at Wisconsin, I love the idea of Kyle Morlock trying to be Fickell’s guy from day one. We’ve seen Fickell’s offense at Cincinnati utilize Josh Whyle in some fun ways. I think he could do a whole lot more with Morlock and help develop him into a NFL tight end. We’ll see who Fickell rolls with as the next Badgers quarterback. I think Morlock would make for an excellent piece for QB TBD.

Dante Cephas – WR

2022: 48 Catches – 744 Receiving Yards – 3 Touchdowns

Those who know me know… I love Dante Cephas. I’m so high on this kid and truly believe he’s an NFL wide receiver that will be making such positive impacts on Sundays. But for now, we must identify where the Kent State transfer should be playing on Saturdays in 2023. He’s been in the portal for about 18 hours and has tweeted out four offers: Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State and most recently Notre Dame. Man it’s great to see him receiving quality offers despite being hurt for the last part of the 2022 season. High caliber programs know this kid is the real deal! It’s important to note that the 6-foot-1 receiver grew up in Pittsburgh. Dante was a stud at Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh where he was a stud at wide receiver in addition to being a feared hitter in the secondary. That’s my favorite trait about Dante’s game; his ability to brace for contact is so innate. He does an impeccable job of understanding coverages and noticing small tendencies a DB will have (For more words on Cephas, check out my Player Spotlight article on him).  I’m positive that Cephas will continue to haul in offers like he hauls in catches, but I think his next school already made an offer…

Prediction: Penn State – This is undoubtedly the best spot for Dante Cephas. There will be a transition in the Penn State offense beginning in 2023 when Drew Allar officially takes the reins at quarterback. Let’s go find that gunslinger a WR1. Cephas would be that dude from day one, and James Franklin would build a FILTHY trio featuring Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, and Dante Cephas. That’s something to get EXCITED about! State College isn’t Pittsburgh… but it’s just a two-hour drive. It’s close to home and Penn State sets up Dante so well for his future. I look forward to watching Drew Allar throw beams to Dante Cephas.