The transfer portal had some great movement in 2024 with a record number 3,843 entering. Names like Walter Nolen and Zalance “Lance” Heard headlined the group when it came to the SEC with many others in tow as well.
When it comes to the transfer portal, it is not necessarily which team you are transferring to, but which system and situation you are coming into. Sometimes although it is appealing on the surface, player do not always performing as well as folks would expect them to on their new team.
One example of this last year was former Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders who opted to transfer to the Ole Miss Rebels after starting the last four seasons for the Cowboys. Sanders ended up backing up Rebels’ Jaxson Dart and never saw the field beyond a backup role. Surely the fifth year Sanders anticipated a better situation than this for his NFL future.
Expect 2024 to be no different as there will inevitably be others that underperform. Within the SEC, I wanted to identify some top transfer portal acquisitions per On3 that I believe may not pan out for their new teams.
Who are the most overrated 2024 transfer portal additions in the SEC?
5. Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)
Proctor did improve at left tackle for the Crimson Tide in 2023 as the season progressed, but struggled overall. Proctor finished the season tied for the nation’s lead in sacks surrendered with 12. Despite this, he was a Freshman All-American.
While the upside with the former 2023 five star offensive tackle is high, he has yet to prove it on the field. Until then, I cannot justify not putting him as number five on the overrated list given the hype he came in with.
4. Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia)
Etienne had an outstanding first two seasons for the University of Florida, rushing for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Gators. One would figure that Etienne will do well for the Bulldogs in 2024 who have won two national championships in the past three years. On top of that, head coach Kirby Smart puts a strong emphasis on offensive line and has produced some high NFL draft picks as well.
One would figure that all of this promise puts Etienne in a great situation. And he may perform with the opportunities he has. However, look for his overall production to be much less than the 700-plus yards each season he had in Gainesville.
The depth of the Bulldogs running back room with Roderick and Branson Robinson will inevitably split carries and playing time three ways once Branson Robinson is fully healthy in 2024.
3. Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
Pride has a good season for the Clemson Tigers as a true freshman in 2022, playing in all 14 games while totaling 22 tackles and an interception. He regressed some in 2023 before ultimately deciding to transfer back home to Missouri where the St. Louis product is from.
Feeling closer to home is a good thing and often times does bode well for players. However, the Tigers lost defensive coordinator Blake Baker and replace a lot on defense. These factors could impeded progress for Pride in 2024.
2. Jamon Dumas-Johnson (LB, Kentucky)
Dumas-Johnson was the mic linebacker for the Bulldogs in 2023, which in years past with names like Nakobe Dean and Roquan Smith. Dumas-Johnson however did not seem to bring the same thunder as the others, and there is probably a reason he is not returning to the Bulldogs.
With the up and coming talent at the linebacker position on the Bulldogs’ roster, there is a good chance Smart would play returning linebacker CJ Allen and incoming freshman Raylen Wilson more, and Dumas Johnson’s role could be diminished.
Although he comes in with a lot of experience, there is a reason Dumas-Johnson left the Bulldogs, and I do not think it had much to do with NIL.
1. Cormani McClain (CB, Florida)
McClain seemingly cannot stay out of the headlines since his arrival as a true freshman in Boulder, Colorado in 2023 for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. McClain was a five star recruit and the number one cornerback in the country in the class of 2023 but hardly saw the field for the Buffaloes.
McClain opted to transfer back to his home state of Florida to play for the Gators in 2024, but is having to do so as a walk-on due to limited scholarships. Speculation is as well that head coach Billy Napier could be wanting McClain to earn his keep in Gainesville before awarding him a scholarship.
During his time in Colorado, McClain frequently missed practices this past spring and it seems to be continuing in Gainesville. If this is the case, given the accolades he came in with, this would be a very big disappointment for the Gators.