CFB DeptHITS: Friday, April 18
The DeptHITS are here to provide you with the need-to-knows in the world of college football. Includes depth chart updates, portal movement, coaching carousel and more.
Today, we’ll recap the biggest news from day three (of ten) in the open portal window. Plenty of content to work from as the players continue to enter and check out what’s available.
Note: [ The number in the brackets is our CFBDepth overall player rating, out of 20 ]
|||||| THE HITS
The most pertinent player-related information that directly impact depth charts and on-field performance.
North Carolina ::: QB Gio Lopez [15.7] is heading to Chapel Hill. He signed with the Tar Heels and will compete with incumbent Max Johnson for the right to start in '25. The former South Alabama signal caller has two years of eligibility remaining. Even if he loses out, there is a possibility Johnson doesn't stay healthy (if history repeats) and/or he'll be in line to take over in 2026. Meanwhile, Max Browne, who transferred in from Purdue, is re-entering the portal.
Notre Dame ::: The new hot name in the portal is QB Steve Angeli [15.4], who is entering from Notre Dame. He was expected to battle C.J. Carr for the starting spot in South Bend, but that looks like Carr's to lose. So, Angeli, known for a really impressive drive in the playoff game against Penn State, will have two years left of eligibility.
Houston ::: It didn't take long for the Cougars to swoop in and grab one of the better pass-catching tight ends, as former Ball State Cardinal Tanner Koziol [16.1] is heading to Houston. He stopped in at Wisconsin during the spring practice season but left the program. Koziol is going to impact this offense positively, giving new quarterback Conner Weigman a reliable weapon.
Texas ::: Starting kicker Bert Auburn [16.0] is hitting the portal. He was a bit maligned throughout the season, missing nine of 25 field goal attempts, including one that could have iced the playoff game against Arizona State. It's possible the Longhorns staff have let him know they are going in a different direction and Auburn should find another place to kick.
New Mexico State ::: RB Seth McGowan [15.2] is again entering the portal. He started his career at a JUCO, then went to Oklahoma, before coming to Las Cruces to get more playing time. He ran for 823 yards with the Aggies in '24 and now looks to level back up for his final season.
Colorado ::: Center Cash Cleveland [14.0] is living up to his name and looking to 'cash in' on his early success at Colorado. He rose to the starting center on one of the better offensive teams in the land, despite not earning a star rating from the consensus recruiting services. It appears the Buffaloes didn't quite take care of him enough, and now he's looking elsewhere.
Texas State ::: Former Oregon State QB Gevani McCoy [13.7] headed to San Marcos hoping to win the job running that GJ Kinne offense. It doesn't appear that it will happen, and he has re-entered the portal. He started his career and made a name for himself at FCS Idaho, throwing for over 5,600 yards and 42 touchdowns in '22-'23.
Ole Miss ::: RB Jordon Simmons [13.7] is leaving Ole Miss after spending the spring there, having transferred in from Akron. He began his career at Michigan State and likely found the task of climbing the running back depth chart in Oxford a very tall task. He will look to head somewhere where there may be less competition for carries.
Utah ::: The Utes are said to host former Texas Tech and briefly A&M WR Micah Hudson [13.6] on an official visit. The 5-star recruit signed with the Red Raiders last off-season, but things didn't work out as planned. He then headed to College Station, where, again, he left the program. He looks to find his 2025 home and it may just be in Salt Lake City.
SMU ::: DL Mike Yoan Sandjo-Njiki [13.2] is entering the portal after three seasons with the Mustangs. He only saw action in three games last year, thus suppressing his numbers. He grades out well above average and should find a place to play and impact things in 2025.
Kentucky ::: WR Hardley Gilmore V [12.3] is returning to Lexington after trying Nebraska this spring. Word surfaced that he was no longer with the program during Cornhuskers spr’ spring practices. For our purposes, it's like he never left. He is a 4-star recruit who will look to become more of a focal point in the offense for the Wildcats. He should be able to do just that with so many other receivers vacating the program.
Coastal Carolina ::: One of the better kickers in the game is entering the portal as the Chanticleers are losing Kade Hensley [16.7]. He booted 16 field goals in 2024 and has missed just one of 115 PAT chances in his three years at Coastal.
Minnesota ::: QB Zach Pyron [11.6] is moving from Minnesota where he transferred in the earlier portal window this winter from Georgia Tech. He was supposed to battle with incumbent Drake Lindsey as the heir apparent to Max Brosmer for the Gophers. This indicates that Lindsey may have proven himself enough and separated from Pyron, sparking this re-entry.
|||||| QUICK HITS
More information on the periphery, including coaching changes, less impactful (but still important) player movement, and more.
Hawaii is losing their starting LG as Zhen Sotelo [12.9] is entering the portal.
North Carolina signs former Eastern Illinois, Aussie punter Jacob Horvath [12.8].
S John Slaughter [12.5] is leaving Tennessee after two seasons and only 62 snaps of playing time.
Duquesne RB JaMario Clements [12.3] is hitting the portal after a season that saw him take 150 carries for 989 yards and six touchdowns. He looks to level up for 2025 and should see some offers at the group of five level.
CB Jordan Dunbar [12.1] originally transferred from Kansas State to Bowling Green earlier this cycle. He is now re-entering the portal. He started his career at Rice but played just 66 snaps in ‘24 for the Wildcats.
SMU WR Ashton Cozart [12.0] is entering the portal. He came to the Mustangs after starting his career at Oregon as a 4-star recruit in the class of ‘23. He caught just one pass in ‘24 and looks to make a bigger impact somewhere else.
Louisville DL William Spencer [12.0] is hitting the portal and looking for a new home for 2025 and beyond.
Georgia WR Nitro Tuggle [11.8] was a 4-star recruit in 2024 and was facing a suspension with the Dawgs after an arrest on reckless driving charges this off-season. He’ll hit the portal and try to leave that behind him. Syracuse and Indiana are early ‘schools to watch’ according to the experts.
Florida State WR Hykeem Williams [11.7] was a 5-star recruit back in 2023 and injuries have limited his ability to make a big impact. Somebody will be getting a high-upside addition as he entered the portal.
Former South Carolina EDGE Wendell Gregory [11.7] signed on with Oklahoma State. He was a 4-star recruit who didn’t see the field as a true freshman in 2024. He’ll have all four years of eligibility.
Former Colorado WR Adrian Wilson [10.7] has signed with North Carolina. He is a 4-star recruit in this 2025 class.
Eastern Michigan DL Luke Fletcher [10.5] has entered the portal.
Kansas State CB Noah King [10.1] is hitting the portal after spending his true freshman season in Manhattan, KS. He did not see the field after his 4-star recruitment.
NOTABLE PORTAL VISITS & OFFERS:
Former Boise State LB Andrew Simpson [14.9] is gaining a lot of attention from big schools in his portal recruitment, and deservedly so. Hayes Faucett details 22 schools having made contact, including Penn State, USC, and Texas A&M.
Missouri State TE Lance Mason [14.2] is visiting Wisconsin, Cal and Oklahoma.
UMass RB CJ Hester [13.1] is visiting Michigan.
Miami (FL) DL Josh Horton [12.4] is visiting Georgia.
SEMO DL Jaylon Stone [12.3] is gaining traction at the power four level with visits set up to Kentucky and Illinois.
Former Indiana TE Sam West [12.2] is visiting Mississippi State, Pittsburgh and Temple, with others contacting.
South Dakota WR Quaron Adams [11.3] is going to visit Cal.
Former Alabama A&M DL Sedrick Smith [10.3] is visiting Georgia and is expected to sign rather quickly.
West Virginia is hosting a couple of portal players, including former UNC WR Christian Hamilton [11.8] and Southern Illinois LB Ben Bogle [10.2].
|||||| STATE OF THE CHART™ UPDATES
We have been pumping out State of the Chart™ updates throughout the ‘off-season.’ These updates are point-in-time looks at each school. We recap the year that was, discuss important coaching changes, take a look at each position group, and look ahead at the 2025 schedule. These updates will lead to our first State of the Chart™ digital magazine, set to be released in July. This will be our official ‘preview’ magazine with a data-driven look at all 136 schools, including depth charts, playing time projections, win total predictions, and more. Learn more about that here or by clicking on the banner below. Enter your email at the website for updates, sneak previews, and more…
Get all caught up on each program here:
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
2/1: Alabama Crimson Tide
2/3: Georgia Bulldogs
2/4: LSU Tigers
2/5: Auburn Tigers
2/6: Arkansas Razorbacks
2/7: Florida Gators
2/8: Ole Miss Rebels
2/10: Tennessee Volunteers
2/11: Missouri Tigers
2/12: Texas A&M Aggies
2/13: Oklahoma Sooners
2/14: Texas Longhorns
2/15: South Carolina Gamecocks
2/16: Vanderbilt Commodores
2/17: Mississippi State Bulldogs
2/18: Kentucky Wildcats
Big Ten Conference
2/19: Ohio State Buckeyes
2/20: Michigan Wolverines
2/21: Penn State Nittany Lions
2/22: Indiana Hoosiers
2/23: Wisconsin Badgers
2/24: Northwestern Wildcats
2/25: Oregon Ducks
2/26: Nebraska Cornhuskers
2/27: Minnesota Golden Gophers
2/28: Iowa Hawkeyes
3/1: Michigan State Spartans
3/2: Maryland Terrapins
3/3: Purdue Boilermakers
3/4: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
3/5: Illinois Fighting Illini
3/6: Washington Huskies
3/7: USC Trojans
3/8: UCLA Bruins
Big 12 Conference
3/9: TCU Horned Frogs
3/10: Baylor Bears
3/11: Oklahoma State Cowboys
3/12: Kansas State Wildcats
3/13: West Virginia Mountaineers
3/14: Iowa State Cyclones
3/15: Texas Tech Red Raiders
3/16: Kansas Jayhawks
3/17: BYU Cougars
3/18: Cincinnati Bearcats
3/23: UCF Knights
3/24: Houston Cougars
3/25: Arizona Wildcats
3/26: Arizona State Sun Devils
3/27: Utah Utes
3/28: Colorado Buffaloes
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
3/29: Florida State Seminoles
3/30: Louisville Cardinals
4/1: Clemson Tigers
4/2: Miami Hurricanes
4/3: NC State Wolfpack
4/4: Virginia Tech Hokies
4/7: Duke Blue Devils
4/8: North Carolina Tar Heels
4/9: Syracuse Orange
4/11: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
4/14: Boston College Eagles
4/15: Virginia Cavaliers
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