Starting Tuesday, April 16, the NCAA Transfer Portal will open for college football players. It will be open for 15 days until April 30th. Whether fans like it or not (hint: in fact, most fans don't like this, but that's a topic for another day), the transfer portal is a big part of college football. . experience. Several of his BYU players have already announced plans to enter the portal. A few more will join once the portal officially opens. Today we'll be previewing the spring transfer window from BYU's perspective.
1. Who is trying to enter the portal?
Several BYU players have already announced plans to enter the transfer portal once it opens.
- Nick Billoupes – Quarterback
- Jordan Capisi – Kicker
- Benjamin Ward – Offensive Line
2. Roster maintenance is a top priority
First and foremost, BYU prioritizes roster retention. BYU needs to keep its best players if roster continuity is going to be a key factor for growth in his second year in the Big 12. Perhaps a small number of players will enter the portal as usual, but BYU will try to limit the attrition of players who are not expected to contribute in his 2024.
So far, all of the players who announced their entry into the transfer portal were not expected to contribute this season.
3. Prioritize the offensive line
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said the offensive line will be a priority when it comes to who BYU adds from the portal. “Right now, we’re a little behind numbers-wise on the O-line,” Roderick said. “We like the guys we have right now, but we're just missing a few more guys. If we can find an offensive lineman or two, we'll do it.” [add them]. ”
As for adding players at other positions, such as running backs, Roderick said BYU is not actively looking to add anyone. “I like our running backs,” Roderick said. “We're not actively looking for a running back. I can't say never. We can never turn away a great player who wants to be here, at any position, but we What we need right now is one or two O's.'' – Linemen. ”
BYU returns three starters in Connor Paye, Waylin Lapuajo and Brayden Keim. Caleb Etienne also returned for his senior season after an up-and-down year in and out of the starting lineup. BYU has at least one or two spots in the starting lineup for him to fill that portal.
4. Quarterback scholarship situation
BYU entered spring training with a number of quarterbacks (10 to be exact). Multiple quarterbacks were expected to transfer after spring training. Walk-on Nick Billoops is the only quarterback to announce plans to enter the portal.
BYU is short on scholarship money and could benefit from a few scholarship quarterbacks hitting the portal. But BYU can't force them out. BYU is now in the Big 12 and his scholarship is guaranteed for his four years.
5. Need for additional rosters
Based on last year's results, BYU's running back depth is a question mark. LJ Martin, who led BYU in rushing as a freshman, will likely get the majority of the carries as long as he stays healthy. After him, BYU brought back veterans Miles Davis and Hinkley Ropati. However, Davis and Lopati have battled injuries at various points in their BYU careers. BYU will be very thin at running back after an injury or two. Adding a running back could add even more depth to that room.
If BYU gets the right players, regardless of position, they could be a difference maker or two. This is assuming BYU has scholarships available. Think of players like Harrison Taggart and Puka Nacua who were scouted by BYU in high school. BYU could pounce if a former high-profile recruit with ties to BYU enters the portal.
6. Keep your head spinning
Last year, BYU wide receiver Cody Epps surprised everyone when he entered the transfer portal just before the transfer window closed. In this era of college football, you have to keep your head on a swivel whenever the transfer portal is open. By definition, you can never expect surprises. BYU's staff will be busy recruiting the current roster and retaining top talent.
