Transfer Portal 2023

Transfer Portal 2023

    The transfer portal in my opinion is fun, good for players, and actually helps a school like Bowling Green. Zero disrespect to all the guys that left, but everyone that left did not really do a ton this year. Meanwhile BG just in last portal class brought in 2 starting DBs in Chris Bacon and Jordan Oladukon, monster LB DJ Taylor, PFF 1st Team All MAC Center Jakari Robinson, starting linemen Bronson Warner, Kam Stewart, , and Tunde Fatukasi. Cedric Dunbar started on the OL against Marshall and played in most games. OJ Hilaire and CJ Lewis were both starting WRs. I mean BG gained a lot more in the portal than they lost. 

    The portal also has so many opportunities for different players. You have studs from the G5 move up to the SEC, P5 backups dropping down to start at G5 schools. You have FCS starters jumping up to FBS, also FCS backups who would rather be a backup at a FBS school. Many casual fans do not realize how valuable depth guys are and scout team players truly make big differences in practice. Even G5 guys would rather be a backup at an SEC school. So in my mind, the portal is all great. We have already seen BG take guys who are expected to start and some guys who will be backups and hopefully get onto the field eventually. Most people transferring out will likely drop down to FCS for playing time. 

    This list may not be 100% accurate but is updated to the best of my knowledge. I am going to give my opinions on each player, not meaning any disrespect but just an honest assessment of each player's impact in my opinion. Best of luck to all the guys leaving, and a big welcome to all the new Falcons joining!

    Something I want to note is that Noah Massey left BG prior to 2021 to go to D2 Angelo State and after two seasons is now transferring to West Virginia for his final year. Goes to show it is possible to shine at a lower level then get to a P5 school which is really cool. 

Incoming Transfers Breakdown:

Total: 21

Position

QB: 3

WR: 5

OL: 3

DL: 2

LB: 3

DB: 5

Conference

Big10: 3

ACC: 2

Pac12: 2

American: 2

Sun Belt: 1

MAC: 1

CUSA: 1

FCS: 3

JUCO: 4

D2: 1

Outgoing Transfers Breakdown:

Total: 23

Position

QB: 2

RB: 2

WR: 4

OL: 5

LB: 3

DB: 4

K: 2

LS: 1

Conference

SEC: 1

Big10: 1

Big12: 1

Pac12: 1

Sun Belt: 3

MWC: 1

FCS: 8

D2: 4

N/A: 3

Incoming 

Dominic Grguric WR Valparaiso (FCS) 3 years left

Dom is from Ohio and comes to BG as a redshirt Sophomore. Grguric was named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021 and this past year caught 9 passes for 114 yards. I am super hyped to have our first transfer commit. No eye popping stats like other FCS transfers like OJ Hilaire from last year, but that is the beauty of the transfer portal. Dom is young so he may continue to develop and be a stud WR or he may be a quality special teams player, possibly even a scout team guy. Again, casual fans do not realize how valuable depth and scout team players are and I have a ton of respect for Dom making the jump to the FBS. Welcome to the family, Ay Ziggy! 

Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim WR Alabama AM (FCS) 2 years left

Abdul-Fatai leaves Alabama AM with 2 1,000 yard seasons. This dude was a stud at the FCS level and like OJ, should be able to contribute right away for BG. Ibrahim has almost 2,500 career yards, 22 touchdowns, and as BG needs to improve on offense bringing in another dynamic Alabama AM player should be massive.  

Armon Bethea OL Arizona State (Pac12) 3 years left

This is a nice get in the portal! I liked our O line a lot last year but they really were under performing especially in the run game. Bethea had a ton of P5 offers out of high school including Arkansas, Kansas, Georgia Tech and Maryland. This is what the portal is all about. Coming out of high school we had ZERO chance at Armon but now he wants to start, his old school fired the coach that recruited him, so BG can scoop him up. 

Connor Bazelak QB Missouri/Indiana (SEC/Big10) 2 years left

This is a MASSIVE portal get for Loeffler. Bazelak was the SEC Freshman of the year in 2020 at Mizzou, had a TON of offers out of high school. Georgia, Kentucky, UNC and many more all came calling. It cannot be said enough how awesome this is, another perfect portal situation. A guy with a ton of upside and big offers is out of BG's reach until he gets over recruited at Mizzou and Indiana's O line was so bad they almost got him killed. So now he comes to BG and my expectations are sky high. This move also could convince other transfer linemen and receivers to want to come into this offense with again, a guy who was a big SEC name. 

Daelen Menard QB Boston College (ACC) 2 years left

Another BC transfer has come in through Coach Loeffler's connections as Menard was a walk on at Boston College. Coming to BG likely as a depth piece while I see Bazelak and Cam Orth fighting for QB1, Menard at least has a better chance to play here than at BC. QB battles are important to drive competition and gives us the best player at the position. Welcome to BG. 

Bo Tate WR Ventura College (JUCO) 2 years left

Tate comes to BG to add to a WR core that loses two starters in CJ Lewis and Broden, not surprising 3 transfers are on the way in. Bo had 34 catches for 368 yards and 3 TDs. I think 4 JUCO players transferring in is a very smart move by Coach Loeffler. With the transfer portal being as crazy as ever, there are many JUCO players flying under the radar. 

Marquette Harris LB Ventura College (JUCO) 2 years left

Another Ventura player comes to BG to add to a linebacker room that loses DJ Taylor and Bryce Brand. Harris had over 30 tackles last year at Ventura College. 

Justin Lynch DB Laney CC (JUCO) 2 years left

A third JUCO and 3rd California player comes to BG to add depth to a secondary that I feel can be the strength of BG's defense this year with Deshaun Jones and Jordan Oladokun returning at CB. 

Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu DB College of San Mateo (JUCO) 2 years left

Our 4th JUCO and 4th Cali kid comes to the Falcons to add to the DB room and adds a little more height to the room being over 6 foot. 

Chace Davis DL UTSA (C-USA) 2 years left

A 5th Cali kid comes via UTSA/East LA CC. Last year after committing to UTSA via the JUCO route, Davis played in 3 games for the Roadrunners on their way to a CUSA Championship in 2022. Interesting seeing this California pipeline form and also a plus to bring in a player who has a championship ring and was able to be in the amazing culture that UTSA has built under HC Jeff Traylor. 

Steve Lubischer DB Boston College (ACC) 2 years left

This is the 6th Boston College transfer to come over to BG since Coach Loeffler took over in 2019 (Darius Wade, Davon Jones, Matt McDonald, CJ Lewis and Daelen Menard). Lubischer played in all 12 games last year for BC and 6 games in 2021. Steve will add some needed competition in the DB room as the two starting safeties from last year are gone. 

Jordan Jackson DB Stony Brook (FCS) 2 years left

I have seen a bunch of Stony Brook players transferring up to FBS despite their lowly 2-9 record last year so shoutout to the SeaWolves. Jackson enters a DB room that has 2 safety spots open, and plenty of reps as rotational corners that are vital to winning football games. Always a luxury bringing in an older player versus throwing a freshman out there. Welcome to BG, Orange and Brown will look good on ya! Jackson totaled over 40 tackles and played in every game for Stony Brook. 

Davian Mayo LB Memphis (AAC) 3 years left

Mayo will have 3 years of eligibility left after playing for Memphis from 2020-2022. Mayo appeared in 30 games for the Tigers, mostly getting reps on special teams or as a backup linebacker. It is a perk of the portal to not only bring someone in who had 3 years of college experience but also 3 years of eligibility to still develop within our program. 

Finn Hogan WR Central Michigan (MAC) 3 years left

I am pretty sure this is the first transfer we have ever taken from another MAC school. Finn is a walk on who battled his way onto the field and last season had 19 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. Yall know I love walk-ons, under recruited players, FCS or JUCO players coming to BG. I have seen so many flourish in the Orange and Brown in years past. At programs across the country I see these players outwork others who were recruited more. Welcome to BG!

Jaylon Tillman WR Grand Valley State (D2) 2 years left

It can be hard to project how a D2 transfer will do in FBS but this is another great feature of the portal. A player can shine in D2 and then move up and Tillman was a standout for GVSU. Tillman had other MAC offers from Ball State, EMU, Akron as well as UConn. The 5th WR to transfer in, this position group is going to look totally different compared to 2022. 

Chris Akporoghene OL Tulsa/Tennessee (AAC/SEC) 2 years left

Chris went to Tennessee for 3 years, then Tulsa in 2022. Akporoghene mostly played in reserve roles for both schools but has a chance to fight for a starting job now. Chris has good size and BG had only 10 OL before his arrival so we need more depth and more competition. This was a huge get for BG. 

Evan Branch-Haynes DL Arizona (Pac12) 4 years left

Branch-Haynes just shirted for a year in Arizona and shows the other cool aspect of the portal where you can get young players who even if they do not contribute right away, guys like Evan have 4 years to develop and could make an impact 3 years after they transfer in. 

Davon Ferguson DB Georgia Southern/ Bowling Green/Kansas/Hartnell College (Sun Belt/MAC/Big12/JUCO) 1 year left

Yes you read that right, he's back! Ferguson was a surprise transfer this off season and after spending spring ball with Georgia Southern he has decided to come back to BG. I personally think he is our best defensive player, playing a huge role in 2021 before a season ending injury and last year only played 2 games before another season ending injury. Ferg is a veteran, was highly praised by Coach Loeffler and was a great interview last offseason. Who could forget Davon's awesome sack against Minnesota in that legendary game where he gave Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan a real life hit-stick. I am very hyped Davon is back to join a stacked DB room. 

Andrew Booker LB Maryland (Big10) 4 years left

Booker shirted for a year at Maryland. Andrew had multiple P5 offers so this is an awesome get for BG and Coach Loeffler has 4 years to mold Booker. Booker's older brother was on Maryland which is a big reason Andrew committed but now his brother is at Arkansas so Andrew decided to leave Maryland as well. 

Hunter Deyo OL Iowa State (Big12) 4 years left

Deyo is a huge get for the squad as he was a 4 star recruit out of high school who had a ton of P5 offers. 247 sees a ton of upside potential so this is a big get for a MAC school to snag a guy with this many P5 offers. The OL needs more depth so even if the young Hunter does not play right away he has 4 years to develop. 

 

Hayden Timosciek QB Purdue (Big10) 4 years left

Hayden walked onto Purdue, standing at 6'7. A tall pocket passer, Hayden will have appeal in the Loeffler system and can be developed given that he just shirted a year at Purdue. 

Outgoing 

Javonte Kinsey WR Campbell University (FCS) 3 years left 

Javonte has played in 9 games from 2020 to 2022, appearing against Miami OH this year. In 2020, Kinsey caught the only receiving touchdown of the year. Playing time likely the reason for looking elsewhere as Javonte has just 2 catches in 3 seasons with the Falcons. Kinsey had a lot of FBS offers including Cincy, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, and UConn. 

Kinsey has since committed to Campbell University. 

Current Offers: Campbell University (FCS), Valdosta State University (D2)

Marcus Sheppard DB North Dakota State (FCS) 2 years left

Sheppard has been a solid contributor for the Falcons, appearing in all but 3 games over the last 2 seasons. Playing time likely the factor here as Marcus was relegated to mostly special teams this year as opposed to a lot of defensive playing time in 2021. Only other FBS offer out of high school was Kent State. 

Current Offers: Southeast Missouri State (FCS), Chattanooga (FCS)

Marcelo Mendiola OL Southern Illinois (FCS) 2 years left

Marcelo was a promising get from Cincinnati in the 2022 transfer cycle but for some reason did not make the fall roster, seemingly electing not to play (I would guess due to being a backup). Mendiola is on the move again, wishing him the best as he was fun to interview in the pre season! 

Dominic Konopka LS Marshall (Sun Belt) 4 years left 

Konopka flipped his commitment out of high school at the last second from UConn to BGSU however due to redshirt Freshman George Carlson doing a great job snapping and likely starting for the next 3 years. 

Dom is heading to Marshall, who we upset in mega fashion this past season!

Current Offers: FAU (AAC), UConn (Ind), Old Dominion (Sun Belt), Florida A&M (FCS), Morehead State (FCS)

Davon Ferguson DB Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) 1 year left

Ferg was a beast in 2021 after transferring from Kansas. He quickly became a leader on the time and was praised often by Coach Loeffler. Davon's best game was in the upset of Minnesota, a cherished memory in BG Football history. However, in 2022 Davon was injured against EKU and out for the year. Feel so bad for the guy, was a great person to interview and really wanted to play in a bowl game before his career ends. 

Leiris Manzi OL N/A 3 years left

Manzi transferred in from Hocking Junior College this past year, only seeing action against Marshall. Playing time likely the reason for transfer here as only 1 BG O Linemen is graduating. 

Kellen Adler OL Adrian College (D2) 2 years left

Adler was a walk on in 2019 and did not appear in any games for the Falcons. Again, OL is a pretty tough battle right now at BG. 

Justin Schiets LB Northern Michigan (D2) 1 year left

Schiets was a great culture guy at BG, running the annual toy drive this year. Playing time seems to be the factor here, not appearing in any games in 2022, just two games in 4 years. 

JB Brown LB Kansas (Big12) 2 years left

This is a tough loss, Brown played in every game over the past 2 seasons. Brown is part of a group of significant players transferring out that will likely go to another G5 school. Brown had 2 forced fumbles against Marshall in the massive win as well as 1.5 sacks and 52 total tackles in 2022.  

Current Offers: Kansas (Big12), Arkansas State (Sun Belt)

Darren Anders LB Bowling Green 1 year left

Another brutal loss. Anders has been a BG staple, racking up over 250 tackles in 4 seasons for BG. Anders had a crazy good 2021 and has been a day 1 Loeffler guy, so concerning to see him go. 

Anders announced on twitter he is coming back! I do not blame him at all for testing the waters, seeing what offers were out there, then coming back. 

Current Offers: Jacksonville State (C-USA)

Tyrone Broden WR Arkansas (SEC) 2 years left

I said all year BG was not utilizing Broden enough, who only had 1 game with more than 3 catches. While it stinks to lose Broden, I am happy for him. Any player that can go P5 should go, that is the new way of college football. I will never be upset if a player transfer to go P5. Broden finishes his BG career with 1,199 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Current Offers: Texas AM (SEC), Arkansas (SEC), Oklahoma (SEC), WVU (Big12), OK State (Big12), Syracuse (ACC), Pitt (ACC), Colorado (Pac12), Washington State (Pac12)

Jordan Anderson DB UCLA (Pac12) 1 year left

Anderson is another day 1 Loeffler guy, tough to see him go. Jordan had a great BG career, starting from 2019-2022 through the entire rebuild. No bigger play the the interception to seal the Minnesota win. Anderson leaves with 180 total tackles. Again, happy to see him go P5 though. Amazing leader during this rebuild. 

Current Offers: Arkansas (SEC), WVU (Big12), Kansas (Big12)

Jeremiah Banks-Wall OL Western Illinois (FCS) 3 years left

Banks-Wall started 11 games in 2021, then saw his playing time decrease to just one start, a legendary one against Marshall in 2022. Playing time likely the factor here, not sure who will be starting in the trenches in 2023 for the Falcons. 

Jalen Grant OL Purdue (Big10) 2 years left

This one is interesting as well. Grant has been a 3 year starter for BG, so if he makes a lateral G5 transfer this will open questions for me about why a BG lifer like Grant is going. Grant started 27 games in the past 3 years, being a part of the best of BG wins. While BG needs to get better at O line, losing Grant is going the opposite direction. 

Okay, I am very happy to see Grant end up at a P5 school. It makes the transfer seem less bad for BG in a culture sense, because I will NEVER be upset at a kid going P5. The facilities, money, passion is just way better. 

Current Offers: Purdue (Big10), USF (AAC), UNLV (MWC), Colorado State (MWC), Central Michigan (MAC), Old Dominion (Sun Belt), Troy (Sun Belt), Arkansas State (Sun Belt), WKU (C-USA), UMass (Ind), New Mexico (MWC), MTSU (C-USA)

Owen Rozanc K Missouri State (FCS) 1 years left

Rozanc transferred in from D2 West Liberty and did not appear in any games. Playing time clearly the reason for leaving, wishing Owen the best! 

Owen has committed to Missouri State, hopefully can get on the field in his last year of eligibility for the Bears. 

Current Offers: Missouri State (FCS), Albany (FCS)

Mason Lawler K Incarnate Word (FCS) 1 years left

Lawler was 11/16 on field goals in 2022. I thought Lawler was solid this year but I do think BG can find a good kicker. Lawler has been at BGSU since 2018 and I am so happy he got to be a part of this bowl season despite how it ended for him. 

Mason has committed to Incarnate Word. Considering the drop down to FCS from a guy who has been with BG since 2018, the next starting kicker for the Falcons better be an upgrade. 

Current Offers: Incarnate Word (FCS)

Blaine Spires LB Utah State (MWC) 2 years left

Spires racked up 20 total tackles in 2022 and appeared in 12/13 games. This linebacker room is eager to leave, while Spires was not the main character behind Anders and DJ Taylor, this loss still hurts the BG defense. 

Spires has committed to EKU, the team that beat BG last year in 7 overtimes. 

Spires has now flipped his commitment to Utah State. Great for Blaine to stay FBS but also from a BG aspect makes me feel like were getting better as a defense if Blaine was not a penciled in starter and felt he should transfer to a worse FBS school to start. 

Current Offers: Illinois State (FCS), Eastern Kentucky (FCS), Austin Peay (FCS), East Tennessee (FCS), Jackson State (FCS), Mississippi Valley State (FCS)

Owen Bainbridge QB Notre Dame College (D2) 4 years left

Bainbridge leaves after a redshirt year. This is not too surprising, as QB movement is the most common in the portal. Only one guy gets to play unlike any other position, so keeping depth even for a guy to wait his turn is tough in this era. I personally think BG can get by just getting a new transfer QB every year. There will ALWAYS be QBs in today's game dropping down from P5 (see Darius Wade, Matt McDonald, Connor Bazelak). 

Bainbridge has committed to Notre Dame College. I think with his build he can put up some numbers and then try to move back up to D1. Kind of tough seeing a player with a lot of D1 offers go to D2, but as a BG fan I cannot help but take this as a sign that Lucian Anderson is the future barring a P5 transfer coming into town in a couple years. 

Jaedyn McKinstry WR UL-Monroe (Sun Belt) 3 years left

Again, playing time likely being the factor as Jaedyn had 0 receptions this year and 3 last year. WR depth is taking a hit but as we have seen, there is a surplus of players in the portal and 3 incoming wideouts already. 

I actually love Terry Bowden as a Coach and think ULM is a great landing spot for Jaedyn who gets to stay in FBS. BG has a stacked WR and TE room at the moment, so this may be a good sign for BG's offense if we can lose an FBS level player because he could not get 2 deep reps. 

Current Offers: Western Illinois (FCS)

Jaylen Jennings RB N/A 4 years left

Jennings leaves after just a redshirt year. BG does have a stacked running back room, so I am assuming he wants to play right away instead of waiting to develop and see the starters graduate. 

Jalen Holly WR Wayne State (D2) 4 years left

Another playing leaving after just a redshirt year. Similar to Jennings, we have a lot of good wide outs right now but it is an old room. Holly must be looking to play now, a shame to see one of the highest recruits in last year's class go.  

Seems like a big step down going D2 but I do not know the situation and Jalen may be way happier at Wayne State. 

Current Offers: Northwood University (D2), Wayne State (D2), Central State (D2), Ferris State (D2)

Willie Jones DB Western Illinois (FCS) 3 years left

Jones flipped from Toledo to BGSU but after appearing in just one game in two years, Jones will look to play elsewhere. 

Current Offers: Southeast Missouri State (FCS), Samford (FCS)

Braxton Todd RB N/A 4 years left

Again, hard to speculate on the reasoning for transferring after just one redshirt year but it also make sense. Maybe one year is long enough to know you are not a fit for this program, or maybe wanting to just go to a different school for non football reasons. Whatever it may be, best of luck! 

Daelen Menard QB New Haven (FCS) 2 years left

Another BC transfer has come in through Coach Loeffler's connections as Menard was a walk on at Boston College. Coming to BG likely as a depth piece while I see Bazelak and Cam Orth fighting for QB1, Menard at least has a better chance to play here than at BC. QB battles are important to drive competition and gives us the best player at the position. Welcome to BG. 

Well, he has transferred to FCS New Haven. Makes sense considering that again, only one QB can play.