(Updated) 16 Former 4-Star Receivers Have Hit the Transfer Portal, Depth in 3-Star Ranks

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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With 130 Division I FBS teams out there, when top tier talents hit the transfer portal a frenzy of activity occurs behind the scenes. Player evaluations begin with college coaches breaking down film on a player putting collegiate progress to one-time high school potential. Beyond the fan’s view, a top recruiting ranking out of high school does not always mean a perfect fit for just any college football program; a former three-star might be more highly valued than a four-star.

The range of players that have hit the NCAA transfer portal already ranges from the speedy slot receiver to the big possession/red zone target, and the do-all playmaker who can take the top off the defense. But the pickings at the top are slim, and going quickly. Eight former four-star and six three-star targets have already left a program and found a new home. In what could change in a minute, there are currently eight four-star players looking for an offense in need.

Among the three-star ranks, there are some fantastic players who tore it up while in high school. Take former Thompson (AL) slot receiver Mike Pettway, an 1,100-yard receiver, and Elijah Bowich, a 15-offer talent in the 2020 class with teams like Georgia, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Louisville after him while a receiver at Myers Park (NC).

Another perhaps forgotten talent who can make a difference on a team is Randal Grimes. The former 6-4, 205-pound, Desert Pines standout started at USC going through a change in offenses landing at UNLV, another change in offense, and now needing a fresh start.

Looking for three-star Big 12 caliber receivers? There are 10 of them currently on the board, the most of all the Power 5 Conferences so far. Both the ACC and Pac-12 have nine transfers in the portal followed by six out of the SEC and four in the Big Ten.

Transferred 4-Star Receivers

D.J. Matthews – Florida State to Indiana

Trey Blount – Georgia to Old Dominion

Matthew Hill – Auburn to South Florida

Makiya Tongue – Georgia to Oregon State

Kam Brown – Texas A&M to UCLA

Isaiah Bolden – Florida State to Jackson State

Tevaliance Hunt – TCU to Arkansas State

Oliver Martin – Iowa to Nebraska

Top 4-Star Receivers in Transfer Portal

Dylan Wright – Texas A&M to –

Tyrell Shavers – Mississippi State to –

Jeremiah Holloman – FIU to –

Marcus Fleming – Nebraska to –

John Dunmore – Penn State to –

Rodrick Fisher – Washington State to –

Rashawn Williams – Indiana to –

Shamar Nash – Arkansas to –

Transferred 3-Star Receivers

DJ Turner – Maryland to Pitt

Amad Anderson – Purdue to Temple

Dylan Thomas – TCU to Northern Colorado

Al’dontre Davis – TCU to Nicholls State

Brenden Schooler – Arizona to Texas

Davontavean Martin – Washington State to Oklahoma State

Available 3-Star Receivers

SEC

Demarcus Gregory – Ole Miss to –

CJ Boone – Missouri to –

Maurice Massey – Missouri to –

Dominic Gicinto – Missouri to –

Brandon Johnson – Tennessee to –

Tyquan Johnson – South Carolina to –

Jimmie Stoudemire – Arkansas to –

Pac-12

Munir McClain – USC to –

Jamarye Joiner – Arizona to –

Majon Wright – Arizona to –

Jordan Kerley – Arizona State to –

Brandon Pierce – Arizona State to –

Jaylen Dixon – Utah to –

Jordan Chin – Washington to –

Kassidy Woods – Washington State to –

Mike Pettway – Washington State to –

ACC

Darryle Simmons – Virginia Tech to –

Elijah Bowick – Virginia Tech to –

Justin Bellido – Boston College to –

Damond Philyaw-Johnson – Duke to –

Tobias Little – Louisville to –

Dorien Goddard – Virginia to –

Darnell Pratt Jr. – Virginia to –

Michael Smith – Pitt to –

Ahmarean Brown – Georgia Tech to –

Big Ten

Ricky Smalling – Illinois to –

Calvin Lockett – Iowa to –

Malik Washington – Northwestern to –

Kyric McGowan – Northwestern to –

Big 12

KeSean Carter – Texas Tech to –

Simon Gonzalez – Texas Tech to –

John Stephens – TCU to –

Yusuf Terry – Baylor to –

Keion Wakefield – West Virginia to –

Zack Dobson – West Virginia to –

Stephon Robinson – Kansas to –

Andrew Parchment – Kansas to –

Ezra Naylor – Kansas to –

Josh Youngblood – Kansas State to –

Group of Five

Reginald Johnson – Louisiana to –

Jeremiah Pruitte Colorado State to –

Tyler Smith – Western Kentucky to –

Jonah Morris – Akron to –

Randal Grimes – UNLV to –

Khyheem Waleed – Boise State to –

Eddie McDoom – South Florida to –

Jenard Phillips – South Florida to –

Randall St. Felix – South Florida to –

Brian Smith – Louisiana to –

Kevin Davis – UAB to –

Keshon Williams – Tulane to –

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Photo credit: USC Athletics; No. 9 Randal Grimes