Big 12 Spotlight: Recruits that may be impacted by recent portal movement
The movement of players during the spring transfer portal window won't just impact other college football players, but high school prospects as well. Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney looks at five recruits that may be impacted by recent portal additions in the Big 12.
MORE: Recruits that may be impacted by recent portal additions in the Big Ten | SEC | ACC
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
Arizona State saw some major defensive back transition since the portal window opened as the Sun Devils took in some transfers that are leaving again as four players in the secondary look to be moving on including Cole Martin, Kamari Wilson and Laterrence Welch.
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In-state recruiting has been a challenge for both Arizona programs for at least a decade but the Sun Devils have a real chance here to keep one home.
The four-star cornerback from Goodyear (Ariz.) Desert Edge has a lot of heavy hitters involved in his recruitment including Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M (which could have the edge) but that's even more reason for Arizona State to keep him close. It will be a challenge but the Sun Devils are among the favorites.
Kansas has lost two very talented potential stars at defensive end in Deshawn Warner and Bai Jobe to the transfer portal and so keeping Higgins in this class is crucial as he also sees a very big need for his services on the Jayhawks' defensive front.
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The four-star from Wichita (Kan.) Maize South committed to the Jayhawks over Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin so it was a huge win for Kansas. After a couple of tough losses in the portal, locking in Higgins was crucial for production off the edge in the coming years.
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So much of what Colorado is going to do in recruiting is through the transfer portal and that means a lot of players will come in and a lot of players will cycle out. That's just how coach Deion Sanders has decided to run the program and we'll see how things look now that QB Shedeur Sanders and all-world Travis Hunter, both transfers themselves, are off to the NFL.
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Offensive line will need to be addressed. At least five offensive linemen from Colorado have hit the portal which is a perfect opportunity for the Buffaloes to win with some serious talent in-state.
Four-star Kannon Smith has already committed to USC so he might be off the table but Schmitt, from Windsor, Colo., has taken numerous visits to Boulder and seems very interested.
There has been a significant amount of turnover on Oklahoma State's roster following a disastrous 2024 season as more than 20 players have shipped out and more than the same amount are planning to come to Stillwater.
One of the biggest losses was four-star edge Kendal Daniels, who transferred to Oklahoma, as he was second on the team with 64 tackles and led the Cowboys with 5.5 sacks.
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That loss opens up a big opportunity for Stewart, who was Oklahoma State's first commit in the class but is still being pursued by others. Keeping him to blunt some of the loss by Daniels will definitely be important as Oklahoma State looks to rebuild from its first losing season since Mike Gundy's inaugural campaign in 2005.
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First-year coach Rich Rodriguez is going to build West Virginia back in his image – and that means a massive purge of the roster as by Rivals' count, 48 players have entered the transfer portal.
Included on that list are five running backs (basically everyone except leading rusher Jahiem White) as CJ Donaldson, who led the Mountaineers with 11 touchdowns last season, is also out of Morgantown.
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That opens up a massive opportunity for three-star commit Jett Walker to not only reinforce his commitment but see a major opportunity once he gets to town. After rushing for 2,531 yards and 37 touchdowns in his junior season at Georgetown, Texas, maybe he couldn't get to Morgantown fast enough.
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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Recruiting Rumor Mill: Gigantic June rolls on as visits continue
The busiest month of June is in full swing and there is tons of news coming out every day, especially with another busy weekend in the books. Here's the latest in this Recruiting Rumor Mill from Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney. MORE: Four-star RB Favour Akih staying home at Ohio State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info Penn State was a phenomenal visit for the Erie, Pa., native who's now at Carrollton, Ga., but his weekend trip to Texas A&M – long considered the front-runner – might have topped the Nittany Lions. Advertisement The Aggies' coaching staff made it clear to Barney that he's a 'need' in their program and the type of elite cornerback who can make their defense the best in the country. It might be tough to top Texas A&M as his decision gets closer. The 2027 four-star quarterback from Palestine (Texas) Westwood landed an offer from Texas after working out in Austin over the last few days. Being from Texas and landing an offer from the Longhorns is a huge deal to Bryant and he loved the 'great coaching' he got during the workout. Texas surges way up his list with Oregon, Florida State, Michigan, Texas A&M and SMU so far. After camping at Clemson, an offer from the Tigers 'would immediately put them near the top of the list' as Burns loved working with position coach Matt Luke in recent days. Luke told the 2027 four-star offensive tackle from Rabun Gap (Ga.) Nacoochee that before moving forward with an offer he wanted to meet Burns' family and that definitely made a good impression. Advertisement Tennessee is also very high on Burns' list with Florida, Maryland, Texas A&M and Syracuse up there. Working out at Ole Miss was big for Curtis in recent days as he landed an offer from the Rebels and has now set up a visit to be back in Oxford soon. The word is Ole Miss is in Curtis' top five but it wouldn't be surprising if the Rebels are even higher given his limited Power Four offers. Getting to work with position coach Randall Joyner was a huge draw for the Ocean Springs (Miss.) St. Martin standout during his time there. An Auburn visit went well and there's talk that Oregon could move up quickly if he becomes a bigger priority but Alabama is the team to beat and is No. 1 for sure. Advertisement That's the word after the five-star safety from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances was back in Tuscaloosa this weekend as Edwards now sees why 'Alabama has been great these past years.' Heading into his weekend visit at Florida State, the four-star linebacker from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy had Florida as his top school. The word is that has now changed with the Seminoles taking the lead in his recruitment and the 'loyalty' he's seen from the coaching staff. It wouldn't be a total shocker if a commitment was close. The three-star defensive back from La Verne (Calif.) Damien has been committed to Syracuse since late November but Utah is surging in his recruitment after he loved his visit in Salt Lake City recently. A midweek visit to Michigan State happened and then Gates will be at BYU this weekend. Advertisement A final decision should come in late July or early August as the Utes are currently the biggest threat to flip him. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH SYRACUSE FANS AT Georgia had been the leader in Goodwin's recruitment but he canceled his visit to Athens (it could be rescheduled during the season) as Oregon and Michigan have emerged as the two new frontrunners in his recruitment. SMU is also in there especially after a great recent visit there. The Ducks and the Wolverines are the two clear front-runners though as summer continues. After backing off his pledge to Mississippi State in recent days, a handful of programs have emerged for the 2027 four-star safety from Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County. Advertisement South Carolina and Tennessee could end up battling it out for him with North Carolina and Florida State as two others to definitely watch as things pick up again in his recruitment. On June 1, the three-star offensive lineman from Las Vegas (Nev.) Clark committed to Washington but since that time, Harris has landed offers from Georgia, Texas and LSU. Still, though, the word is that Harris found his 'home' at Washington and even with those major SEC offers, he doesn't seem to be second-guessing his pledge. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WASHINGTON FANS AT Haviland had a great first visit to Clemson and felt the 'family-like culture' there even though he had never been there before as the 2027 four-star tight end from Milton, Ga., loved his trip there recently. Advertisement The hold-up is that Clemson has not offered yet – even during this visit – as Haviland has more than 30 offers with Georgia and many others already involved. Hudson had a phenomenal weekend at a 7-on-7 tournament at Nebraska working with Huskers QB commit Trae Taylor and that connection could be huge as Hudson's recruitment continues. The 2027 No. 1 tight end will keep building that relationship and seeing if that momentum stays with the Huskers is crucial as LSU is going to be tough to beat along with Texas A&M. Florida, USC and Oregon are also high on the list. All this could change, though, since Hudson visited and got offered at Ohio State on Sunday as the Buckeyes join that top group as well and was a top program for him before offering. After camping at Clemson, an offer from the Tigers 'would mean a lot because I know Clemson does not mess around' and an offer would reflect they think he's one of the top players. The 2027 four-star athlete from Charlotte (N.C.) West Charlotte loved working with the coaches and loved the detail-oriented approach to the program. Advertisement An offer from Clemson would be massive as Virginia Tech, Duke, South Carolina, Ohio State and Michigan are standing out most. Texas A&M is 'definitely one of the ones at the top of the list' after a great official visit to College Station this weekend as the Aggies remain one of the favorites. Alabama is still battling right at the top for the five-star edge rusher along with Auburn and others. This could end up being a battle between the Crimson Tide and the Aggies until the end. After a great visit to Oregon last week, the Ducks had emerged as the clear front-runner for the 2027 four-star quarterback from Tacoma (Wash.) Lincoln. But the chatter now is that there has been a change since Kaho absolutely loved every single thing about his weekend visit to Washington as the Huskies have now become the team to beat. Advertisement The UW staff told Kaho he's the main priority and the top target in the 2027 class so that made a major impact to Kaho and his family. The four-star linebacker from Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial has been to Texas A&M numerous times but this was his best trip yet as coach Mike Elko and DC/linebackers coach Jay Bateman made it clear how King would be utilized in the Aggies' defense. This trip made his upcoming July 4 decision even harder as Michigan, Notre Dame and Texas round out his top four. There has been a ton of Notre Dame chatter around this recruitment so the Aggies and the Irish could battle it out until the end. Kreul set off some alarm bells this weekend when showing pictures of his Florida visit on social media and calling it his 'dream school.' Advertisement The four-star edge rusher from Orlando who's now playing at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy will be in touch with the Florida staff 'a lot moving forward' and he loves the culture of constant development in Gainesville. Oklahoma has been considered the team to beat but if the Gators have a big season then they could surge right to the top. The thinking has been that South Carolina leads for Matthews and that Texas has been making a serious move up in his recruitment but Florida State could now be the team to watch. The Cornelius (N.C.) Hough four-star cornerback had an 'incredible' visit to Tallahassee over the weekend and loves how 'consistent and genuine' the staff has been. From coach Mike Norvell to DC Tony White and position coach Patrick Surtain Sr., the Noles are absolutely in this race again especially if they can keep the momentum in the closing weeks. Miller had a great visit to Clemson in recent days for camp and hit it off with position coach Matt Luke, staffer Carson Cramer and others. He landed an offer from the Tigers and the 2027 four-star offensive lineman from Anna, Texas, recognizes how big of a deal (and how rare that is) for players in his class. Advertisement Clemson definitely made a great impression but the question will remain what kind of momentum it has especially with schools closer to home like Oklahoma and all the Texas programs heavily involved. Parks' recruitment is still in the early stages but Notre Dame is going to be there until the end after being back on campus for the Irish Invasion on Friday and because of family connections to the program. 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Choctaw County loved the standard of 'not being average' as Mississippi State is the other team to watch in his recruitment but it feels like the Rebels are way out in front. The 2027 high three-star receiver from Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek has been committed to Houston since October but a recent offer from Georgia could be a massive threat to the Cougars. Starling loves the program and especially the gritty and tough culture in Athens and after a quick tour this past time, another visit is being planned as Starling is 'definitely thinking about' Georgia in his recruitment. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH HOUSTON FANS AT Penn State is 'an insane offer' for the Avon (Conn.) Avon Old Farms offensive tackle to receive in the last few days and it's immediately a 'top school' in his recruitment. 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The early talk on the star 2027 four-star tight end is that Georgia has an edge in his recruitment but the whispers after his Ohio State visit this weekend is that the Buckeyes have taken the lead for the Libertyville, Ill., standout. Advertisement The feeling now is that Ohio State and Georgia could battle it out until the end but after his trip to Columbus, the Buckeyes are slightly favored. The four-star receiver from Tampa (Fla.) Plant has been committed to Florida State since April and he takes his official visit to Tallahassee next weekend – and then a final decision is going to be made. Williams absolutely loved his weekend trip to Florida, hit it off with coach Billy Napier and especially has a great relationship with position coach Billy Gonzales, who could be a big factor in Williams' final choice. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH FSU FANS AT The prevailing thinking is that the four-star edge rusher from Wadley, Ala., will end up at Auburn but some sources close to him believe this could end up as a battle between Texas A&M and Miami in the end with the Aggies having the edge. Advertisement Alabama has a 'slim' chance so that looks like a long shot with Auburn being right there but don't be surprised if he leaves the state. The word in Wyatt's recruitment is that Tennessee definitely leads especially after his visit to Knoxville this weekend as he and his family love the Vols. But the four-star athlete from Bell Buckle (Tenn.) Webb isn't fully comfortable with his future position as Tennessee wants him as an outside linebacker/edge rusher but Wyatt would prefer to play a more hybrid safety role like Derwin James. Georgia and Vanderbilt are the biggest threats to Tennessee especially if the position stuff becomes more of an issue.
New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
Arizona State's Sam Leavitt is exactly where he thought he'd be — everyone else is just catching up
TEMPE, Ariz. — Sam Leavitt recently appeared on 'The Matt Barrie Show,' the third national interview the Arizona State quarterback had done that day. He wore a maroon polo, the top button unfastened. His sandy blonde hair was stylishly messy. Throughout a 20-minute interview, ESPN's Barrie, a popular voice in the college football media-verse and fellow Arizona State product, asked Leavitt about last season's improbable College Football Playoff run and how coach Kenny Dillingham has changed the program. He also innocently described Leavitt as a rising star and a sleeper Heisman Trophy candidate. Advertisement It's a good bet Leavitt noticed. Athletes using slights, real or imagined, storing them for motivation, is nothing new. Leavitt, however, takes this to another level. High school teammate Mark Hamper says the chip on his friend's shoulder is as big as the Eiffel Tower, but it's useful, 'and it's going to take him to some pretty big places.' This fall, with Arizona State projected to contend in the Big 12, the grudge and determination could help make Leavitt a household name. It's how Leavitt has always seen himself, following older brother Dallin Leavitt to the NFL, possibly as a first-round draft pick. The redshirt-sophomore just had to wait for everyone else to catch up. To see what he sees. 'People say I have a shot to win (the Heisman), but I'm not the No. 1 candidate,' Leavitt, 20, had said an hour or so before the Barrie interview, explaining motivation for his second Arizona State season. 'So you really think these other players are going to play better than me this year?' As a reminder, the quarterback keeps a large whiteboard in his bedroom. It's the first thing he sees every morning and the last he sees before bed. The theme — 'How great do you want to be?' — hasn't changed, but Leavitt recently added another element. On the left side, in purple marker, are 10 names, his national quarterback competition. Arch Manning … Cade Klubnik … DJ Lagway … This probably doesn't surprise those who follow Arizona State closely. Leavitt made it clear last year after transferring from Michigan State that the chip on his shoulder wasn't just motivation, but an actual character in his journey. In November, Leavitt said he had looked forward to playing against Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson, who had been ranked higher than Leavitt during the 2023 recruiting cycle; Johnson ninth, Leavitt 18th, per 247 Sports. (Leavitt threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-14 Arizona State win.) More memorably, Leavitt told reporters before Arizona State's CFP matchup against Texas and Quinn Ewers that he looked forward to proving he was the better quarterback, an approach he took every game. Given the contest's magnitude — and the fact that Ewers had won 20 games and led the Longhorns to two CFP appearances over two seasons — his comments made headlines. Dallin Leavitt said his brother called and told him he was shocked that everyone else was shocked. 'Like, how do you not think that I'm better than Quinn Ewers?' Dallin recalled Leavitt saying that afternoon. (Leavitt threw for 222 yards but was picked off on the final play of a 39-31 double-overtime loss.) Advertisement Jon Eagle, Leavitt's coach at West Linn High in Oregon, did not hear the exact Ewers exchange, but he got the gist. His reaction: '100 percent Sam.' In 40 years of coaching, Eagle had seldom come across a player with more confidence. And as often is the case, disrespect turns into fuel. Asked about the chip's origins, Leavitt started with a teammate in eighth grade who told him he wasn't the best player on the team. Later, he noticed people's reactions when he said he planned to follow his older brother's path to the NFL. (A 5-foot-10 safety who lacked great speed, Dallin Leavitt wasn't drafted out of Utah State but managed to play six NFL seasons, four with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, two with the Green Bay Packers.) Every year, it was something new. You're not going to play Div. I. You're not going to be a blue-chip prospect. You'll never win a state championship. At West Linn, Leavitt was the No. 2 prospect in Oregon, but his recruitment was slow to pop. Eagle said coaches from the former Pac-12 came to watch Leavitt, but whenever he pressed for reaction, they always provided a lukewarm response. Yeah, we're not sure. He's on our list. We'll see. Eagle didn't understand. Not only did he see the arm talent in Leavitt, he saw a quarterback who processed information quickly. One who could make a mistake on one play and forget it the next. One who led the Lions to a state championship his senior season. 'There's two types of 'A' students,' Eagle said. 'There's the guy who's in the front row with his hand in the air. That's Sam. Then there's a guy in the back row that's scratching his chin, thinking about it. They're both 'A' students, but the guy up front is going to be your quarterback.' Part of this is how Leavitt was raised. His father, Jared, played outside linebacker at BYU, where he was honored as the program's best conditioned and most courageous athlete. Dallin said early football conversations around the house didn't focus on touchdowns but on physicality, as in, 'Are you going to dominate the person across from you?' Dallin's NFL journey showed Leavitt what was possible, but Dallin also credits their mother. The Leavitts grew up watching Tania Leavitt compete in triathlons. If she hiked a mountain with friends, she wanted to be first to the top. Asked about this, Tania said Leavitt comes from a large family, and as the youngest of four, he always had support. It also helped that Leavitt was good at most everything he tried. In addition to football, Leavitt also played on West Linn's nationally ranked basketball team. Then-coach Robert Key said Leavitt could shoot the rock, 'but defensively, he was a dude,' and had he so desired, he probably could have played basketball in college. Advertisement 'Yeah, I'd say pretty much everything he does,' Olivia Price said of her brother's activities. 'He was always really good at school. He, like growing up, would be singing around the house and he had a good voice — not a great voice, but a good voice. He can dance. He's just good at everything he does, and as an older sibling, it's really annoying.' But football was always the priority. Trainer Ryan Paul, who has worked with Leavitt and his brother for years, recalls Leavitt telling him as a high school sophomore that he one day would play in the NFL. (Paul's reaction: 'Well, that's cool, kid. We'll see how it goes.') Key recalls a similar exchange before basketball season. He asked Leavitt about his end result, and Leavitt responded: 'I want to play on Sundays.' 'It's funny,' Tania Leavitt said, 'because I know it comes across as super cocky, but it's kind of this, not a persona, but if you don't feel like you're the best, why go do it?' The difference between confidence and cockiness can be tricky — the former a springboard, the latter a banana peel. Dillingham says the difference is work ethic, and this is an area in which Leavitt excels, always trying to outwork himself from the previous year. Before Arizona State home games, Leavitt meditates in the facility's ice-tub room, where it's easy to get lost in the sound of rushing water. Leavitt used to try and force his thoughts into a certain mindset, but as time passed, he learned to embrace his mood. If he was mad, he let himself be mad. If he was sad, he let himself be sad. 'You're only going to play as comfortable as you feel,' he said. Away from campus, Leavitt works with a sports chiropractor, learning how to stay calm under stress. At home, he meditates in a Solodome chair, which helps promote well-being through sound therapy. Leavitt also journals, not every day, but when he needs to improve at something or make an important decision. Writing it down brings accountability. 'Sam does everything he can do to create an advantage, so if there's anything that somebody's told him that can help him win, he's going to look into it and try to do it,' Dillingham said. 'I think that's what defines Sam. He's going to open every door to try and be the best.' Advertisement In Week 6 last season, in the first half against No. 16 Utah, Leavitt faked a handoff and ran left. After a short gain, Utah linebacker Lander Barton slammed into the quarterback's side, fracturing a rib. Leavitt said it might have been the worst pain he'd ever felt, but it also might have been a blessing. He missed Arizona State's next game, a 24-14 loss at Cincinnati, but returned after the Sun Devils' off week to face Oklahoma State. And he did so with a different mindset. To protect his body, Leavitt changed his game. He thought about protections more. If he escaped pressure, he looked to throw instead of run. He did whatever was necessary to get the ball into the hands of playmakers like Cam Skattebo and Jordyn Tyson. He threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-21 win. Over Arizona State's final five regular-season games, all wins, Leavitt said he felt like he started to dominate mentally. ('I was killing Cover 0 checks,' he said.) He completed 66.7 percent of his attempts for 1,278 yards with 13 touchdowns and one interception. Arizona State, a team picked to finish last in the Big 12, went to Arlington, Texas, to face Iowa State for the conference title and a spot in the CFP. The Sun Devils won, 45-19. Leavitt threw three touchdown passes and ran for another. After the game, Leavitt ran into Dallin. Although 10 years apart, the brothers are best friends. At AT&T Stadium, they celebrated, red-faced, yelling, chest-bumping, hand-slapping, butting heads. Dallin Leavitt saw a video of this as he left the stadium later that afternoon. He thought the moment, pure and raw, offered a glimpse into their relationship, their family and their motivation. 'It was such a cool moment because it felt like — man, excuse my language, but I don't really know how else to say it — but it felt like, 'F— everybody who doubted. I knew we were this. And I'm glad you got to show it,'' Dallin Leavitt said. 'That was the reality of it. That chip is just kind of how we function.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Kansas City Chiefs hope to keep a near decade long run going atop the AFC West, but their continued success namely on the offensive side hinges on what they get out of the wide receiver position.
The Kansas City Chiefs hope to keep a near decade long run going atop the AFC West, but their continued success namely on the offensive side hinges on what they get out of the wide receiver position. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. More than any offseason in recent years, there is a feeling of vulnerability for the Kansas City Chiefs. A one-game sample from Super Bowl LIX has resonated in a major way, defining early expectations for the team next season. Advertisement Now is that fair for the champions of the AFC five out of the last six seasons? Maybe not, but the final game of the 2024 season did expose some flaws that no other team besides the Philadelphia Eagles exploited to such an extent. Some of those rest on the offensive side where the Chiefs struggled at times to even threaten a move of the chains. While the Eagles' outstanding defense turned in a legendary performance, there were glaring issues with the Chiefs not stacking up. One of those pain points remains at wide receiver. Andy Reid has some puzzle pieces at the position that either he must make a fit or choose to disregard. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are the two young stars of the group counted on for the biggest impact week to week. However, separate injury and off-the-field issues have their prospects for the entirety of 2025 in question. Advertisement Hollywood Brown like Rice missed most of last season with an injury so his return will be something to monitor. Juju Smith-Schuster remains in the fold while those further down the depth chart including Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross are in danger of being the odd ones out. There are many assets who provide many of the same talents for this offense. That means inevitably there will be a select few who will not make it through the summer once the Chiefs cut down to a final 53. With that in mind, what will the Chiefs need from their wide receivers? The Chiefs have not had a true No. 1 really since Tyreek Hill left and have gotten by just fine with tight end Travis Kelce being that go-to target. Heading into his final season, it's hard to expect that same level of performance. Advertisement Clearly, Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs receivers have a variety of challenges for each player spanning from improvement to making the roster altogether. As the players and coaching staff work through those trials this summer, they will need the pieces to come together to keep this machine operating at a high level. Related: Do Chiefs Have 'Enough In The Tank' For Super Bowl Run? Related: Chiefs' Mahomes Announces Major Decision on 2028 Olympics This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
