In recent days and weeks, we’ve seen a multitude of excellent players enter the transfer portal, and we’ll continue to see great players enter the portal in the coming weeks. Today, we just saw a prolific receiver from the FCS ranks announce that he’s transferring. It’s Antwane Wells Jr., and he’ll be moving on from James Madison, where he had an outstanding career and accomplished so much as just a redshirt freshman.

Wells leaves James Madison as one of its best receivers in school history. In 22 games, Wells Jr. has accumulated 116 catches, 1,853 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. Wells ranks third all-time at JMU in career receiving touchdowns. Keep in mind that he played in just the spring and fall of 2021. Unreal, eh? He ranks ninth at JMU in career receiving yards, and ninth in career receptions. He also set single-season records for receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions. It’s safe to say that Wells was a historic piece at James Madison and is one of the best players to ever suit up for that remarkable program. 

Antwane Wells Jr. is over 100 receiving yards for the 4th time this season with this grab!#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/pI7Lia2mGm

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) November 13, 2021

The 6’1” receiver will be sought after by FBS programs far and wide, ranging from stellar programs on the West Coast to up and coming programs in the south. Wells has a really good skillset — he displays elite hands, and one of his greatest skills is the ability to flash his hands late and make a tough grab that a DB was unable to prepare for. Wells has great speed as well, and he pairs that with impressive toughness as he fights for every yard after the catch. A smooth route-runner with fantastic tracking skills, too. While at JMU he was able to consistently beat defenses over the top on the sideline, that great long speed was on display often. He also carved up defenses over the middle quite frequently. On grabs over the middle, he does a great job of preparing for the incoming tackler and avoiding that tackle to turn a decent gain into a big gain. Wells has been a freshman sensation, but it’s been evident from the jump that he’s a NFL player in the making. His next step in his journey to making it to the NFL is to find the perfect program to elevate his game and prepare him for the next level.

Three Fits

Virginia – New Virginia head coach Tony Elliott will look to keep the Hoos offense playing at a high level. They have one elite WR in Dontayvion Wicks and the the Cavaliers would benefit greatly by adding another in Wells to this offense. We know how lethal the UVA offense can be. Giving Brennan Armstrong another elite talent at WR would make UVA one of the most feared passing attacks.

South Carolina – As Shane Beamer continues to build this South Carolina program, he’ll need to have success in the transfer portal. We already saw Shane strike gold by bringing Spencer Rattler and Austin Stogner to Columbia. Beamer has a talented offensive group that has plenty of room to grow, and Wells would be the top target here from day one and would have plenty of recognition on him right away thanks to Rattler. This could be a great spot for Wells to produce at a high level.

Texas Tech – I’m expecting Texas Tech WR Myles Price to make a big leap in 2022 as the Red Raiders offense looks to become an explosive juggernaut once again. Speaking of big leap, Wells could make a big leap in Lubbock by keeping that elite production going and being the potential WR1 of a lethal offense. Oh, and it definitely helps that Zach Kittley is the new OC at Texas Tech, and we know how nasty his Western Kentucky offense was in 2021. Wells would benefit greatly from playing in a Zach Kittley offense.

Prediction – I really have no idea where he’ll play in 2022, but I love the three choices I was able to brainstorm. I’ll go with UVA though. I could see him staying close to home and thriving at UVA in the Tony Elliott era.