5 notable FCS football players who have entered the transfer portal
By John Strong
It is Monday, Nov. 20, and that can only mean one thing. The FCS transfer portal window has officially opened. There are always gems that enter the transfer portal from the FCS.
Drae McCray is a notable FCS-to-FBS transfer. McCray transferred to Texas Tech from Austin Peay. At this moment in time, McCray has 24 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad for a FCS transfer.
Then take a look at the defensive side of the ball. Alijah Huzzie transferred to North Carolina from East Tennessee State. With one game remaining on North Carolina’s schedule for now, Huzzie has 42 tackles, six pass deflections, and three interceptions. The three interceptions are the most on the Tar Heels’ defense. It is safe to say that this is a successful FCS to FBS transfer.
Even though all FCS-to-FBS transfers do not always work out, that does not mean they will not. Here are some of my favorite FCS transfer portal entries.
1. Kendren Smith
Smith may generally be the best player that enters the transfer portal at the FCS level. The Penn defensive back had 138 tackles, 24 pass breakups, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in his time with the Quakers. Even though Smith has one year of eligibility, he should get a FBS opportunity, and he will be great for that FBS school. He already has reported offers from Florida Atlantic and Ohio.
2. Jacob Dobbs
Dobbs entered his name into the portal while thinking about entering the 2024 NFL Draft or staying another year in school. The fifth-year Holy Cross linebacker had 432 tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles during his five seasons with Holy Cross. He had 123 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six sacks during the 2023 season. Just him considering the NFL draft says how good he is and how good he could be for a FBS school next fall.
3. Chance Knox
Knox is the first offensive player on the list, and there is no doubt he could play at the FBS level. The VMI wide receiver has had 144 receptions, 1,343 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns during his time with VMI. He’s a very talented receiver and I could imagine a school like West Virginia having interest in him.
4. Damian Harris
Harris is another wide receiver who could make an impact similar to Drae McCray at Texas Tech. The Bucknell wide receiver had 55 receptions for 606 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns during the 2023 season for the Bison. Harris even set a single-game record for Bucknell with 15 receptions for Bucknell last weekend against Marist. He also had 177 receiving yards in that game.
5. Matthew Sluka
A quarterback was going to be on the list, so it was saved for last. The Holy Cross quarterback has had 5,916 passing yards and 59 passing touchdowns during his four seasons with the Crusaders. He has proven that he can be a division-one quarterback because he has only thrown for fifteen interceptions in 41 games. That is almost a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. I know Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough entered the portal on Sunday, but Sluka is outstanding and deserves an FBS opportunity.
It is safe to say the transfer portal has officially opened at the FCS level, and more and more great talent will enter throughout the week and will be interesting to watch. The FBS transfer portal opens very soon, so keep an eye out for some big fish entering the transfer portal.