College football’s transfer portal has been open for almost three weeks, and several Texas schools are putting it to great use.
According to 247Sports’ team transfer rankings, four schools from the state of Texas currently rank among the top 15 transfer classes and five among the top 17.
TCU leads the way with the nation’s fourth-ranked transfer class, consisting of 14 committed players. The Horned Frogs helped address their pass defense with the addition of Cal Poly four-star cornerback Donovan Saunders and boosted their passing game on offense with Baylor tight end Drake Dabney, Notre Dame wide receiver Braylon James, and Boise State wide receiver Eric McAlister. They also added five transfers to the offensive line.
Texas Tech has the sixth-best transfer class in the nation, adding 10 commitments led by wide receivers Josh Kelly (Washington State) and Caleb Douglas (Florida), tight end Jalin Conyers (Arizona State), and offensive lineman Davion Carter (Memphis). Looking at the complete list, the passing offense and the secondary also seemed to be areas of emphasis for the Red Raiders.
Houston also has 10 committed transfers but ranks 10th in the country. Several former Tulane players have followed their former head coach, Willie Fritz, to the school, including linebacker Corey Platt Jr., defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr., and safety Kentrell Webb. Defense is an emphasis as eight of the 10 players play on that side of the ball, while the other two are offensive linemen.
SMU is the fourth Texas team ranked in the Top 15. The Mustangs come in at No.14 after finishing last offseason with 26 transfers and the 13th-ranked class. Many of those players had a significant impact on SMU’s first conference championship team in 40 years, and they’ll look to add more with this class, which keeps the theme of bringing coveted Dallas players home, with the additions of Oregon wide receiver Ashton Cozart, Oklahoma offensive lineman Savion Byrd, and Ohio State defensive lineman Omari Abor.
Texas A&M is the final notable transfer portal team with the 17th-ranked class, led by former Kansas State defensive back Will Lee III. The Aggies currently have six transfer commits — three on offense and three on defense. It appears that they are looking to improve the passing game as all three offensive transfers are pass-catchers (one tight end and two wide receivers).
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PORTAL NOTES
— Texas A&M led the nation with 31 players transferring away from the program last offseason. After a second straight disappointing season, 21 Aggies have entered the portal so far. Offensive lineman Chase Bisontis withdrew his name from the portal and will return to the program.
— On3’s rankings differ, with SMU placing ninth, Texas Tech 13th, and TCU 17th. Texas A&M and Houston do not even appear in the top 50.
— Texas A&M defensive lineman Isaiah Ralkes and SMU defensive lineman Warren Walls entered the transfer portal on Thursday.
— TCU has been mentioned as a possible destination for former Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson.
— According to On3, over 1,600 players have entered the transfer portal, with 525 already committing to a school.
