Transfer Portal News: Top 6 Defensive Transfers That Haven't Committed

Finding an impactful transfer in June is not easily done, but there are some intriguing defenders still available.

If your favorite team needs help at safety, you might be in luck.

Among the top defensive players left in the portal, three of them patrol the back end of the unit. As if that's not enough, a fourth is a cornerback—and many of the next-best crowd are defensive backs, too.

To identify the best remaining transfers, we considered past performance and recruiting billing for less proven players.

Early in a player's college career, the appeal of potential can outweigh a lack of production.

Johnny Bowens III rarely stepped on the field at Oregon last season, managing two tackles in three appearances. Because he was a 4-star prospect in the 2023 class, however, he should have options.

According to On3, Texas is looking at bringing in Bowens—who hails from the Lone Star State.

Bowens, a 6'3", 290-pound lineman, finished his recruiting cycle as the No. 186 overall player in the country.

The second of three 2023 prospects, Nigel Glover has already found himself traveling an adventurous college road.

Glover, a 4-star talent from Ohio, initially enrolled at Northwestern. However, he entered the portal after the school fired Pat Fitzgerald and landed at Ohio State—where Glover took a redshirt.

And now, he's on the move again.

Given what happened last season, Glover probably isn't an immediate-impact transfer. Only one year removed from a well-respected billing as a recruit, though, he's definitely worth a look for the future.

Sometimes, a fresh start just makes sense.

As a top-100 prospect in the 2021 class, Ceyair Wright went to USC as a hometown kid with immense potential. He earned a starting role in 2022, notching 27 tackles and one interception.

Unfortunately for Wright, "personal reasons" sidelined him midway through the 2023 season. USC coach Lincoln Riley never offered specifics about the situation, and Wright did not participate in spring practice. He formally entered the portal in April.

The reality is off-field matters can factor into a transfer's interest levels elsewhere. Nevertheless, if the reasons aren't prohibitive, Wright is worth strong consideration.

Tony Mitchell, on the other hand, had a very public incident that resulted in discipline at Alabama.

Shortly after enrolling early in Tuscaloosa, he was arrested on a drug-related charge. Nick Saban suspended Mitchell from the team before reinstating the safety, a 4-star prospect in the 2023 class.

"I was doing things I knew I shouldn't to try to fit in," Mitchell said, "but not everybody's your friend."

Mitchell appeared in seven games, posting a single tackle in limited reps as a safety and special-teamer. He will have three years of eligibility left at his next stop.

Over the last two years, Talique Allen established himself as a critical piece of the Western Kentucky defense.

The safety recorded 47 tackles with two forced fumbles in 2022 and 42 stops with an interception last season. Allen's versatility moved him all around the WKU secondary.

Yes, the offseason has been a curious one. Allen entered the portal in December, withdrew and went back to the portal in January. He self-reported an offer from TCU but remains available in June.

The portal is not always straightforward. Still, wherever he lands, Allen can be a quality complementary player with starting upside.

Jacoby Mathews has no shortage of interest.

Last season at Texas A&M, he ranked fifth on the defense with 41 tackles. The safety added four pass breakups and one interception, starting in each of his last nine appearances.

Since entering the portal, per Hayes Fawcett of On3, Mathews has heard from 12 power-conference schools. The list includes Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Washington, among others.

While a decision theoretically should be coming soon, Mathews is capable of competing for a first-string job immediately.