The transfer portal giveth and it taketh away.
Players are now jumping ship for more playing time or more NIL money at a higher clip than any point in college football history. It’s more important than ever for coaching staffs to navigate the crowd and nail every addition.
Here’s a look at four questions Mountain West teams have yet to answer after plucking what they hope are difference makers out of the portal.
Can RB Malik Sherrod Rejuvenate His Career At Boise State?
Sherrod carried the load for Fresno State’s backfield in 2023, producing 966 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to go with the Bulldogs’ first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2008. He finished last season with just 196 rushing yards and four touchdowns after injuries kept him out of all but four games.
The sixth-year senior transferred to Boise State where he has a real chance to rejuvenate his career. The Broncos have shown a willingness to lean on the running game in recent seasons, and they return four offensive linemen with starting experience, including left tackle Kage Casey, who could be one of the best in the Mountain West.
The biggest hurdle Sherrod will have to clear is Boise State’s packed backfield, which includes junior Jambres Dubar and young, explosive backs Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley.
Will Transfers Lead UNLV Back To The Mountain West Title Game?
UNLV has lost to Boise State in the Mountain West championship games the past two years in a row. The Rebels are hoping a rebuilt roster under the leadership of new head coach Dan Mullen will lead them to another shot at a conference title.
The Rebels lost 10 of their 11 All-Mountain West players from last season, but they’ve brought in a stacked transfer class, which includes former five-star recruits like linebacker Justin Flowe (Arizona) and cornerback Denver Harris (UTSA) as well as explosive running back Keyvonne Lee (Mississippi State/Penn State) and quarterbacks Anthony Colandrea (Virginia) and Alex Orji (Michigan).
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Can New Mexico Field Another Electric Offense?
New Mexico is in rebuild mode again after losing head coach Bronco Mendenhall to Utah State and a litany of starters to the transfer portal. None will be more difficult to replace than quarterback Devon Dampier (Utah), running back Eli Sanders (USC), and wide receiver Luke Wysong (Arizona).
New head coach Jason Eck may have found his answers at running back and wide receiver after plucking Montana State’s Scottre Humphrey and Kansas State’s Keagan Johnson out of the portal. Humphrey posted 1,827 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground the past two seasons. Johnson caught 53 passes for 586 yards and three touchdowns the past two seasons at Kansas State after beginning his career at Iowa.
The Lobos still have questions to answer at quarterback. Former Idaho starter Jack Layne followed Eck to New Mexico. He’s joined on the roster by JUCO transfers Gabriel Motschenbacher and James Laubstein.
Has San Jose State Found Its New Go-To Receiver?
One of the best stories in the Mountain West last season was San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash’s ascension to national prominence. The former quarterback ranked No. 2 in the country with 104 catches and 1,382 receiving yards and led the nation with 16 touchdown catches.
San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget needs a new go-to target this season, and the Spartans may have already found one in former Purdue wide receiver Leland Smith.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Houston played in all 12 games for the Boilermakers last season, catching six passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Smith was a junior college All-American in 2023 after hauling in 26 passes for 655 yards and nine touchdowns at Fullerton College.
