Texas football looks like it has its share of impact transfer arrivals, especially at the receiver position with Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Matthew Golden (Houston) and Silas Bolden (Oregon State).
But who will be the most impactful transfer portal players this season in the SEC? Let’s rank 10 players that could play crucial roles for their respective new teams this season, based on their anticipated level of impact:
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10. Keon Sabb, Alabama safety
After all-everything safety Caleb Down left Alabama for Ohio State in the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement, the Tide reeled in the former Michigan football starter who looks like a star on the rise.
The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Sabb had a breakout sophom*ore season for the national champion Wolverines a year ago with 28 tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions. He may not quite be at the level of Downs, but he played a crucial role for the nation’s best defense in 2023.
9. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss edge
A graduate of Manor High School just east of Austin, the 6-4, 255-pound fifth-year senior is part of On3’s fourth-rated transfer class.
Umanmielen, who spent his first four collegiate seasons with Florida football, had a career year in 2023 with 39 tackles, 11½ tackles for a loss, 17 quarterback pressures and seven sacks. The second-team All-SEC selection last season instantly gives the Rebels one of the league’s most consistent edge rushers.
8. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M edge
Like any program that loses its head coach in the offseason, Texas A&M had to adapt to an outflux of talent. But new coach Mike Elko brought in some playmakers, too, starting with the former Purdue football standout who ranks as the best edge rusher in the portal in On3’s ratings. The 6-4, 280-pound Bryan native led the Big Ten with 10 sacks a year ago and had a total of 72 tackles and 17 tackles for a loss in his first two collegiate seasons.
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7. Lance Heard, Tennessee OT
So why did the former five-star recruit leave LSU after earning freshmen All-SEC honors last season? Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel doesn’t care about the reasons; he’s just happy the 6-6, 360-pound NFL prototype will slide into the starting role at left tackle and protect the blind side of another five-star player in quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
6. Trevor Etienne, Georgia RB
Etienne himself says he was underutilized in his first two seasons at Florida despite rushing for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns, but Georgia football looks ready to lean heavily on the 5-10, 205-pound junior.
Can Etienne develop into a high draft pick like his older brother, Travis, who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars? He’ll certainly have the exposure while starting for the nation’s preseason No. 1 team.
5. Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky QB
The Wildcats entered the offseason with a loaded defense, lots of veterans at the offensive skill spots, a salty offensive front and a massive question mark behind center. Enter Vandagriff, a former five-star recruit for Georgia who could never break through in two seasons with the Bulldogs.
The 6-3, 213-pounder attempted just 21 passes in 13 games at Georgia, but he has flashed his arm talent while seizing the starting spot in the spring and summer at Kentucky.
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4. Trey Moore, Texas edge
Texas hasn’t had an All-American on the edge since Brian Orakpo in 2008, but the 6-3, 243-pound Moore brings a needed dose of pure pass-rushing frenzy. Originally an unrated recruit out of Smithson Valley High School north of San Antonio, Moore was On3's fourth-rated edge rusher in the portal this past offseason after recording 45 tackles, 17½ tackles for loss, 14 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and four pass breakups for UTSA in 2023.
3. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss DT
A former five-star recruit from Tennessee, the 6-3, 305-pound Nolen was a recruiting coup for Texas A&M in the class of 2022. But the arrival of a new Aggie coaching staff and the enticements offered by Ole Miss gives the Rebels an athletic, disruptive force inside.
Nolen, now a junior, appeared in 22 career games for the Aggies and had 10 starts last season, when he recorded 37 total tackles, 8½ tackles for loss and four sacks.
2. Parker Brailsford, Alabama OL
The retirement of Saban triggered several key departures for the Tide, but the arrival of Kalen DeBoer as the new head coach was accompanied by Brailsford, arguably the best center in the nation.
The 6-2, 275-pound master technician in his third collegiate season played for DeBoer last year at Washington and helped the Huskies win the coveted Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best offense. He’ll anchor a revamped Alabama front and serve as a trusted on-field coaching conduit for DeBoer and his staff.
1. Isaiah Bond, Texas WR
Nabbing a portal receiver was almost a necessity for Texas following the departure of its top three wideouts to the NFL, and head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff lured the No. 2-rated receiver available in the 5-11, 180-pound junior. Last season, Bond had 48 catches for 668 yards and four touchdowns while developing into a go-to receiver for Alabama. He’ll likely serve in the same role for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
