CFB DeptHITS: Thursday, April 10
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 have a lot of news leaking about the spring portal window that opens in just one week. Many players announce their plans, and in the case of graduates, they enter immediately. We have some injury updates, especially at the quarterback position as spring camps are in full swing. You can check out some depth chart projections from some of the best in the business and get caught up on the State of the Chart™ update series. Enjoy!
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.
Memphis ::: A big loss for the Memphis offensive line as former LSU OL Xavier Hill [15.9] leaves the program. He has performed well at multiple spots on the offensive line, playing most of the early season at left guard and then finishing up as the starting left tackle. That versatility will serve him well, and he should be a top target for big programs in this spring portal cycle.
Oklahoma State ::: RB Freddie Brock [15.2] is heading to Oklahoma State. He levels up from Georgia State, where he had an impressive '24 season running for nearly 800 yards and eight scores for the Panthers. Before that, he was at FCS Maine, where he contributed but never really broke through. He was a COVID class kid and retains one more year at the college level. He should be in the mix to receive a decent workload for the Pokes in '25.
UCF ::: Add QB Dylan Rizk [14.1] to the list of intriguing available quarterbacks in the spring portal. He announced he'd be leaving UCF after going through spring. This is a bit of a surprise as he impressed when taking over for six games a year ago. It's possible there are just too many around in this race, including returner Jacurri Brown and two transfers in Tayven Jackson (Indiana) and Cam Fancher (FAU/Marshall). Remember, this isn't a guarantee that he'll be leaving, he may just want to see what other options are presented and could ultimately return to Orlando for 2025.
Nevada ::: The Wolfpack are losing their top running back, Savion Red [13.9], to the portal. He transferred from Texas to get on the field and showed well for Nevada, running for 687 yards and eight touchdowns on 117 carries. He's most likely looking to move back into the power four level in '25.
Missouri ::: The Tigers are losing a defensive contributor as Jahkai Lang [13.3] is reportedly hitting the portal. He was a part-time player as a redshirt freshman in '24, contributing in 12 games. He likely doesn't see a path to a larger role and is moving on.
Florida ::: S Gregory Smith III [13.1] is entering the portal. He was down the rotation in '24 as a true freshman and is likely looking for a bigger role somewhere after getting an idea of where he stands in spring ball.
Purdue ::: CB Markevious Brown [12.7] is hitting the portal. He looked to see what was happening under new head coach Barry Odom but apparently will look elsewhere. He started four games for the Boilers after coming over from Ole Miss. He then sat the rest of the season to preserve a year of eligibility.
North Texas ::: RB Damashja Harris [12.5] will leave the Mean Green after a season that saw him receive just 22 carries over three games before a season-ending injury. He was going to be in the mix, and he did a lot with his minimal carries, averaging over 8.5 yards per tote. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Troy ::: Starting CB LJ Green [12.1] is heading to the portal. He was a full-time player for the Trojans and one of the better corners, managing three pass breakups and two interceptions.
Florida International ::: The Panthers add a wide receiver weapon who has moved around quite a bit as Tar'Varish Dawson [10.9] signs on. He comes from Jacksonville State, where he managed just one catch for 16 yards in the '24 season. He's been at Colorado, and started his career at Auburn. He has yet to live up to his 4-star potential in the 2021 class out of Lehigh Acres, FL. He'll look to finally tap into that talent and show what he can do at FIU.
Oregon State ::: The Beavers are losing a secondary contributor as S Jack Kane [10.6] is planning to enter the portal. Kane rose from a walk-on in the '21 class to earning 1/2 playing time here, tallying eight tackles in ten games.
Wyoming ::: QB Kaden Anderson [12.1] is said to be fully healthy entering spring practice. We got a look at him in nine games last year, earning the starting job. He performed well before injuries cut his season short. He will likely return as the starter for the Cowboys entering 2025.
Iowa State ::: Iowa State TE Benjamin Brahmer [12.9] is healthy for spring ball after missing a good chunk of the late season. If he can stay on the field, he is primed for a big season for the Cyclones.
Oklahoma ::: TE Davon Mitchell [12.4] was a 4-star recruit in the 2024 class for the Sooners. He did not see playing time and is expected to enter the portal when the spring window opens.
Iowa ::: TE Gavin Hoffman [10.4] is entering the portal after one season with the Hawkeyes. The tight end factory must have seen something they liked in the 4-star from Overland Park, KS. He took a redshirt and will retain 4 years of eligibility remaining. We’d watch him, especially if he moves down to G5 school to get on the field.
|||||| QUICK HITS
More information on the periphery, including coaching changes, less impactful (but still important) player movement, and more.
Miami QB Carson Beck [16.5] will not suit up for the Hurricanes’ spring game. He is still working back from the hand injury that ended his season in the SEC Championship game in 2024. His recovery is still on track and he should be under center for the ‘Canes when the open the regular season.
Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones [15.7] underwent a minor procedure and was shut down for spring ball. He is expected to be back to 100 percent and ready to roll in June, well ahead of summer camp opening up.
James Madison QB Alonza Barnett III [13.3] suffered a serious injury prior to the bowl game, forcing him to miss it last year. He is still working back and is not cleared for contact. He is going to face stiff competition from UNLV transfer Matthew Sluka and FCS transfer Camden Coleman (Richmond). Barnett had a really good season prior to the injury, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 26 touchdowns (to just four interceptions) and another seven scores on the ground. He will be the starter here if healthy.
Former Marshall WR Christian Fitzpatrick [12.7] was granted an eligibility waiver allowing him one more season. He has a visit set up with Oklahoma State.
Louisiana Tech WR Solo Lewis [12.1] is entering the portal. He had 16 catches for 220 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. He’s looking for an increased role somewhere.
SEMO OL Tyler McMillan [10.2] enters the portal and seeks to level up for 2025. He has spent time at three FCS schools, including Northwestern State and Mississippi Valley.
Another SEMO Redhawk enters the portal as DL Jaylon Stone [12.3] is leaving Cape Girardeau for 2025. He hails from Athens, GA, but not sure the home town Dawgs will have him on their radar. He did put up an impressive 2024 season at the FCS level and is ready to level up.
Austin Peay DB Jaden Lyles [9.9] is entering the portal.
NOTABLE PORTAL VISITS & OFFERS:
Pete Nakos (On3) informs us that South Dakota OL Joe Cotton [12.4] is garnering a lot of interest, hearing from over 20 power four schools since entering the portal.
Rumor has it that Georgia State transfer QB Zach Gibson [13.6] is drawing interest from several power four schools, including a few ACC programs. Gibson has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in his multiple stops, including Georgia Tech and Akron. We wonder if Syracuse could be in the mix? He is our fourth highest-rated quarterback remaining in the portal.
We have confirmation that QB Jaden Rashada [10.6] is looking at moving to the group of five to get on the field and start showing what he can do. He started his career at Arizona State and then spent 2024 behind Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton at Georgia. He was visits set up with WKU, UConn and Tulane per On3.
LB Chavez Brown [14.1], who is leaving North Texas, has visits set up with South Florida, Toledo, Arkansas State and Memphis throughout the rest of this month. It’s a bit surprising we aren’t seeing more interest from power four schools, but that may change in the coming days. We’ll put Memphis as the front-runner at this point.
|||||| SUGGESTED FURTHER READING
We can’t do it all. Others can get in-depth on other topics around college football, and we encourage you to broaden your knowledge base by reading further.
With the spring portal window just a week away, we are preparing/bracing for it. We all anticipate a flurry of movement as players have from between April 16-25 (ten days) to make their decisions to stay, or to (potentially) go. Here is a little primer from Max Olson at ESPN (+) »
BarkBoard.com (247Sports network) is a fantastic Fresno State coverage site. They have their projected depth chart and injury report as we head into spring ball. Check it out »
Mitch Harper at KSL Sports covers BYU football like nobody else. He put out his post-spring depth chart projections for the Cougars. Get it here »
LSU has some battles going on for positioning on the depth chart for 2025. Glen West (247Sports; Geaux247) put out his rotational analysis from spring camp for the Tigers. Read it here »
|||||| 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
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