Three predictions: Transfer portal, spring games, Heisman

Rivals rankings director/transfer portal analyst Adam Friedman has three predictions on the most coveted position during the spring transfer window, the impact of spring game cancellations, and the early favorites to win the Heisman.

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With 23 of them in the top 100 of the transfer rankings, receiver was clearly the most coveted position outside of quarterback during the winter transfer window. That theme should continue through the spring as there are a number of teams with playoff aspirations that need more difference makers on the outside.

Penn State’s receiver troubles have been well-documented and Michigan’s passing attack was non-existent last season. Both teams signed two receivers during the winter transfer window but are expected to be active once again in the spring.

Tennessee, USC and Alabama each took heavy losses in their receiver rooms in the winter but were strategic about who they decided to retain. Still, each of them will need to bring in a receiver or two to make sure they have well-rounded groups.

Texas A&M is another one to watch depending on how things shake out with Micah Hudson, who has not publicly set a timetable to return to the team after transferring from Texas Tech.

There is a growing chance your favorite team won’t be having a spring game this year and it’s possible you won’t even get a chance to watch your team practice. Nebraska, USC, Texas and Ohio State are among the teams that have announced they won’t be playing a spring game. N.C. State coach Dave Doeren has closed all of the spring practices to the public.

Last year we saw notable prospects such as Jaden Rashada, Dylan Edwards, James Brockermeyer, Derrick Harmon, Dayon Hayes, Elijah Badger, Damonic Williams, and Samuel Brown enter the transfer portal in the spring, but this year could be different. There won’t be as many day one starters available so teams hoping to plug a hole in their starting lineup will likely have to settle for someone who will need to win a tightly contested position battle.

Yes, none of BetMGM’s six early favorites to win the Heisman are former transfers but it’s called “gambling” for a reason. The last three winners and six of the last eight winners of the sport’s most prestigious postseason award have all transferred at one point in their college career.

Among the betting options at BetMGM are quarterbacks Dante Moore (Oregon), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Caron Beck (Miami), John Mateer (Oklahoma), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) and Jackson Arnold (Auburn).

Of the handful of non-quarterbacks listed, Justice Haynes (Michigan) is tied for the third-best odds, followed by Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Evan Stewart (Oregon), Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M), Dylan Edwards (Kansas State) and Zachariah Branch (Georgia).

It is incredibly early to pick just one player to win the Heisman but, even with Arch Manning (Texas), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Drew Allar (Penn State), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) listed as the betting favorites, recent history suggests betting on a player who has transferred at least once during their college career.