The transfer portal can be problematic for even the best Group of Five schools. When some of their best players thrive, that usually leads to Power Four teams expressing interest and those stars transferring.
But the best G5 programs in this era also know how to identify talented players from P4 rosters who haven’t gotten a shot to see substantial playing time at the college level yet. Setting those players up for success is often instrumental for G5 teams seeking to win conference championships and win bowl games.
The 2024 season isn’t even technically over yet, but there’s been plenty of transfer portal movement already. Here’s a look at standout college football players who have decided to either transfer to G5 schools or to leave Group of Five programs, according to On3.
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Transfer Portal QB News
Micah Davis & Landry Lyddy Among Southern Miss Transfers
New head coach Charles Huff is continuing to build Southern Miss through the transfer portal.
Over the past three days, the Golden Eagles added wide receiver Micah Davis, quarterback Landry Lyddy, and other potential contributors.
Davis previously played at Air Force, Iowa Western Community College, Utah State, and this last year at Ole Miss. He played in 13 games and started two at running back. He recorded 57 yards on five receptions and 45 yards on 19 carries. He also totaled 102 yards on 18 punt returns and 113 yards on five kick returns.
Lyddy, a three-star transfer, played at Louisiana Tech and then most recently at UAB. He appeared in five games the past three seasons and threw for 141 yards during that time.
Southern Miss also added former Arizona State EDGE J’mond Tapp, former Virginia Tech cornerback Jonathan Pennix, and former South Carolina offensive lineman Aaryn Parks. All three are three-star transfers.
Michigan QB Alex Orji To UNLV
A former three-star prospect from Sachse, Texas, Alex Orji is transferring from Michigan to UNLV.
Orji has seen the field the past three seasons but hasn’t been Michigan’s primary signal caller. He’s played in 20 games and has started in three contests.
Last year, he threw for 148 yards and three touchdowns with one interception on 23-of-44 passing. He also rushed for 260 yards and one touchdown on 53 carries while totaling 383 yards and four touchdowns on 74 attempts on the ground over the past three years.
More Transfer Portal News
Purdue DB Anthony Brown To South Alabama
With South Alabama star safety Jaden Voisin declaring for the NFL Draft, the Jaguars needed another contributor in the secondary. The team picked up Purdue transfer Anthony Brown.
Brown was a three-star prospect coming out of high school in Detroit. He redshirted at Arkansas in 2022 and then spent the past two seasons with the Boilermakers. During that time, he appeared in four games and made seven tackles with one forced fumble.
UMass WR Anthony Simpson To Michigan
After his 2024 season was impacted by injury and he left the UMass football program this past September, Anthony Simpson is going to Michigan.
Simpson had a phenomenal 2023 season with the Minutemen. He caught 57 passes for 792 yards and three touchdowns while adding 93 yards and a score on 11 carries. He spent the prior two seasons at Arizona. In 2022, he tallied 342 yards on 18 kick returns while catching four passes for 56 yards.
App State WR Kaedin Robinson To UCLA
Kaedin Robinson, a 2024 Group of Five Preseason All-American, has transferred to UCLA.
Robinson, who’s from Asheville, North Carolina, has been fantastic the past three seasons at App State. During that time, he’s caught 147 passes for 2,164 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 2024, he recorded 840 yards and two TDs on 53 receptions. The year before has the best season of his career as he racked up 905 yards and 10 touchdowns on 67 catches.
He’s also returned a few kicks and punts, so he might provide UCLA some value on special teams as well.
