The Portal’s Biggest Letdowns: Transfers Who Haven’t Delivered
The transfer portal allows players to have a fresh start and teams to bring in new weapons that can quickly transform a team. However, not every move works out, and some players fail to meet the expectations that coaches and fans may have had for them. Some players are just not the right fit for the new team and do not perform as expected. Heading into Week Six of College Football, several high-profile transfers have underperformed.
First is Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee to UCLA, hoping to transform the Bruins. The former five-star recruit has thrown four touchdowns and three interceptions for a UCLA team that is currently winless after four games. Although Tennessee's offense may have more guys to help out, Iamaleava has not played up to expectations and has been one of the most prominent letdown transfer players. Iamaleava and the Bruins take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, which will truly test if Nico Iamaleava has what it takes to transform this UCLA team.
Next is Makhi Hughes, who transferred from Tulane to Oregon, hoping to be a star running back for the Ducks. Hughes was a star at Tulane, rushing for 2779 yards along with 22 touchdowns in two seasons. Hughes looked to be the centerpiece of Oregon's back field; however has just 17 carries for 70 yards and did not travel to Penn State in Oregon's Week Five matchup. Limited touches and a crowded backfield were not an ideal situation for Hughes, and so far has been an underwhelming transfer.
Another running back out of the portal is Jaydn Ott, who transferred from Cal to Oklahoma after rushing for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Expecting to lead the Sooners' backfield, Ott has only nine carries for 17 yards. Buried on the depth chart, he has yet to live up to the expectations that Oklahoma anticipated when bringing him in. With lead rusher John Mateer out due to injury, Ott has a chance to rise in the depth chart and earn more touches, but after five weeks, he has been a non-factor in the Sooners' run attack.
The portal continues to provide opportunities for team improvement, but not every transfer yields the expected results. Even highly anticipated transfers, like these three, do not consistently deliver as expected. Whether it's adjusting to a new offense or a crowded running back room, Nico Iamaleava, Makhi Hughes, and Jadyn Ott have failed to meet the expectations coaches and fans had for them. As the season progresses, it will reveal whether these transfers can meet the standards coaches have set for them or continue to highlight the risks associated with the transfer portal.
