MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — This week alone, the NCAA transfer portal seems to have surpassed the PRT as the preferred method of transport to and from West Virginia’s campus.
Three safeties entered the portal with the intention to transfer to another school, giving the impression of a mass exodus from WVU. But the door revolves both ways, and in the same week the Mountaineers picked up commitments from three players coming in from other schools — wide receiver George Campbell (Florida State), safety Alonzo Addae (New Hampshire) and defensive end Reuben Jones (Michigan).
This chaos is not unique to West Virginia.
A dive into the numbers shows that about half the Big 12 has had an active offseason when it comes to transfers. The same is true for multiple programs undergoing a coaching change.
Although the Mountaineers are not an outlier, they are among the leaders when it comes to both incoming and outgoing players this offseason.
West Virginia may lose as many as 10 players, though like any figure that one requires context. Two have already transferred to FCS programs – center Matt Jones (Youngstown State) and wide receiver Dillon Spalding (James Madison).
Another, offensive lineman Dontae Angus, hasn’t been listed on WVU’s roster since the spring of 2017. Kicker Luke Hogan also counts towards the total even though he was a walk-on.
Six others are currently in the transfer portal searching for other schools. In theory, any of them could withdraw their names and return to WVU, which tight end Mike O’Laughlin did after meeting with the new coaching staff.
Texas and Oklahoma State are the other Big 12 schools that may lose as many as 10 players this offseason. Seven players have already departed from Texas, and three remain in the portal. Eight have already left Oklahoma State with another two still in the portal.
With six incoming players, West Virginia is tied with Texas Tech for the highest amount in the Big 12. The Red Raiders are also in their first year under a new coach.
Among all Power 5 programs with new coaches, only Miami has seen more incoming players (eight) than West Virginia and Texas Tech.
Louisville leads the way in potential departures, which should come as little surprise given the shape in which fired coach Bobby Petrino left the program. Six Cardinals have already transferred and another eight remain in the portal.
Big 12 Transfer Portal Update: Football
Baylor: 2 gone, 0 gained, 3 in portal
Iowa State: 4 gone, 2 gained, 2 in portal
Kansas: 0 gone, 0 gained, 3 in portal
Kansas State: 6 gone, 3 gained, 0 in portal
Oklahoma: 3 gone, 3 gained, 4 in portal
Oklahoma State: 8 gone, 3 gained, 2 in portal
TCU: 1 gone, 3 gained, 2 in portal
Texas: 7 gone, 1 gained, 3 in portal
Texas Tech: 2 gone, 6 gained, 8 in portal
West Virginia: 2 gone, 4 gained, 7 in portal
West Virginia 2019 football transfers
GONE: WR Dillon Spalding (James Madison), C Matt Jones (Youngstown State)
GAINED: QB Austin Kendall (Oklahoma), QB Jarret Doege (Bowling Green), WR George Campbell (Florida State), WR Sean Ryan (Temple), DE Reuben Jones (Michigan), S Alonzo Addae (New Hampshire)
IN PORTAL: WR Marcus Simms, DL Tyrese Allen, S Kenny Robinson, S Derrek Pitts, S E.J. Brown, CB Jordan Adams, K Luke Hogan, OL Dontae Angus
