Now that national signing day has wrapped up, rosters are (largely) solidified. Of course there's still another transfer window to come following spring camp, but for the most part, the dust has settled.
These aren't rankings, everyone is listed alphabetically, but are opinion-based while taking team-need and individual player talent and production into account. Of course this is a bigger shot in the dark doing this before spring camp where a lot can change, but...here it goes:
WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas from Georgia
A large reason why Texas often looked like a team stuck in second or third gear offensively was the lack of depth when it came to passing threats. The highly touted Ewers-Worthy combo was a bust in its first season due to a mix of Ewers’ stagnation as a passer and Worthy’s drop issues.
But the passing game was still forced to rely on Worthy more than anticipated due to injury to Isaiah Neyor and then Agiye Hall’s absence and eventual dismissal from the team. Adonai Mitchell was expected to be Georgia’s No. 2 this season before losing out on the season to injury. The elite route runner tallied 426 yards as a true freshman in 2021 and has big play potential. As Texas’ anticipated No. 2, plus a healthy Neyor and returning Jordan Whittington, Texas’ outside threats, along with Ewers, could be in for a massive rebound.
Also keep an eye on: S Jalen Catalon from Arkansas
QB Chandler Rogers, North Texas from UL Monroe
Once Eric Morris was named head coach at North Texas, attention turned to who he’d bring in to be his chosen quarterback following the departure of Austin Aune. At Incarnate Word, he worked wonders with the likes of Jon Copeland and Cam Ward who eventually followed him to Washington State.
The Mean Green struck gold with Chandler Rogers, a former DFW-area prospect, who had been putting up very reliable numbers as the only big-play threat for a lackluster ULM program that went 8-16 during that span, but not due to any fault of Rogers.
He tallied 3,714 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and 10 picks through two seasons in Monroe. The former Mansfield Lake Ridge product also had over 700 yards on the ground. With more talent around him in Denton, Rogers is in for a big bump in numbers especially with Morris guiding the way.
CB Charles Woods, SMU from West Virginia
Charles Woods won’t be the only former Mountaineer on this list and for SMU, he might be the most valuable pick up of the off-season. Woods was one of the top rated cover corners in the nation coming off of a stellar 2021, but his 2022 was marred by injury. Rhett Lashlee’s defense ranked 120th in points allowed per game (35.2) and opposing yards per pass (7.7) so anything veteran defensive help will be a giant plus.
OL Clark Barrington, Baylor from BYU
The linchpin of Jeff Grimes’ wide zone offense has been Eric Mateos’ offensive line and the proof's been in both of their stops together at BYU and now Baylor. In 2021, the unit was one of the best in college football, steering Baylor's Big 12 Championship run, but in 2022 took a step back although finishing the year strong. Both Grimes and Mateos tapped into their previous school connections for some immediate help in paving pathways for Blake Shapen, Richard Reese and the Baylor offense.
BYU’s Clark Barrington was rated as one of the top offensive linemen and the top guard available in the transfer portal after a dominant career in Provo that saw him only allow two sacks in 40 starts. His brother Campbell, a freshman All-American in 2021, is also headed to Waco.
Also watch: RB Dominic Richardson from Oklahoma State
WR Drae McCray, Texas Tech from Austin Peay
Tech’s offense found its way despite starting three different quarterbacks and without ever really settling on a singular game-breaking wideout. Almost five players finished with 500 yards receiving leaving a hole to fill out wide.
Drae McCray put up over 1,800 yards in two seasons at Austin Peay and is one of the fastest players in college football. Has Zach Kittley found his new Jarreth Sterns?
QB JT Daniels, Rice from West Virginia
I said Charles Woods wouldn’t be the only West Virignia player on this list.
JT Daniels’ career hasn’t gone according to plan since going to USC as a five-star prospect and former Gatorade Player of the Year. He eventually lost his starting job to Kedon Slovis and then to Stetson Bennett after transferring to Georgia. But his numbers have never been bad as opposed to maybe unremarkable.
He threw for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns at West Virginia and for Rice, he’s easily the best quarterback they’ve had available since Driphus Jackson in 2014. For comparison, Rice’s four quarterbacks threw for just over a combined 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 2022. Any semblance of consistency and stability behind center could be a game-changer for the Owls entering their first season in the AAC.
S Adari Haulcy, Houston from New Mexico
SMU isn't the only team in need of immediate defensive help. Doug Belk’s defense took a massive step back in 2022. The Coogs were 108th in points allowed (32.3 per game) and 106th in third down conversion percentage (43 percent). After the loss of Marcus Jones in the secondary, Houston’s pass defense was one of the worst in the nation and they never were able to replace what he provided in pass coverage. Although Adari Haulcy plays safety and Jones was a cover corner, a freshman All-American adding options to the secondary is a pivotal need if Houston wants to survive its first season in the Big 12.
Houston won a recruiting battle against Ole Miss to nab Haulcy. He had 86 total tackles, 38 solo and two picks at New Mexico.
Also watch: QB Donovan Smith from Texas Tech
QB Malik Hornsby, Texas State from Arkansas
One of the most surprising acquisitions of the off-season was former Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby heading to Texas State. The dynamic dual-threat was recruited to San Marcos based off what offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich did last season with Lindsey Scott Jr. at Incarnate Word. The former four-star from Fort Bend Marshall becomes the highest rated player ever to land at Texas State.
GJ Kinne already said that Hornsby’s stood out as one of, if not the, fastest player on the team during off-season workouts. Texas State hasn’t had a stable quarterback situation in nearly 10 years so Hornsby could be a true revelation.
CB Tony Grimes, Texas A&M from North Carolina
In 2020, Tony Grimes was the No. 3 cornerback in the nation coming out of high school. He reclassified and earned a starting position at North Carolina as a true freshman where he proved his skillset early on. He was poised for a massive breakout following an impressive first season but that trajectory never really occured.
A change of scenery and working within a defense that’s been one of the best in the nation over the last few seasons could be what he needs to hit his ceiling. And after losing top prospects like Denver Harris and Smoke Bouie to the transfer portal, he’ll be seen as a quick-fix veteran to help patch up the secondary.
Also watch: CB Sam McCall from Florida State
OL Tommy Brockermeyer, TCU from Alabama
The unsung reason for TCU’s success last season as the national title runners-up was its offensive line play. But with a lot of that unit gone heading into 2023 spring camp, Sonny Dykes had to take a swing in order to find help. He found his new bookend in the former top overall prospect in the state from the 2021 class.
Tommy Brockermeyer has everything to make you believe that he’s a soon-to-be NFL-level talent. Now with the chance to flash his physical gifts and technical skill back in his hometown, TCU has its left tackle to protect Chandler Morris and a new-look offense.
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