Biggest Winners and Losers of CFB's Transfer Portal Thus Far
Loser: Bru McCoy
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Credit: 247Sports
There's nothing wrong with 5-star athlete
Bru McCoy, who could be a major college star as a receiver on offense or an outside linebacker or safety on defense.
"There aren't many high school football players that can impact a game the way McCoy can," 247Sports director of scouting
Barton Simmons wrote. "That versatility keeps him in the top-10 range as we can envision a lot of different ways he can evolve on the next level."
There's nothing wrong with McCoy going to Texas either. The Longhorns are an up-and-coming program, and coach Tom Herman is recruiting with the best in the country. McCoy is just another centerpiece around which Herman can build a championship program.
No, the only reason why McCoy gets a "loser" grade here is his measly timing.
The Mater Dei High School product announced in early January at the Army All-American Bowl that he'd signed with the USC Trojans. At the time, USC had offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in place, and former high school teammates JT Daniels and Amon Ra St. Brown made Southern Cal a logical choice.
Then Kingsbury became the Arizona Cardinals head coach.
Unfortunately for McCoy, he was a mid-term enrollee who signed a national letter of intent and already attended classes in Los Angeles for two weeks. So, when he elected to enter the transfer portal and leave for runner-up Texas, he'll have to sit for the 2019 season unless USC sets him free.
On one hand, the Trojans probably should, thanks to all the turmoil surrounding their staff. But players also should pay the price if they don't follow through with the commitment.
If he's eligible in '19, McCoy and Texas become immediate major winners. If he isn't, it'll be a decision he should have made a month earlier.
Loser: Texas' Quarterbacks Room
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Eric Gay/Associated Press
There's no question Sam Ehlinger is the superstar quarterback who has the potential to carry Texas to a national championship and win a Heisman Trophy in the process.
Yes, he's that good.
But what about if something happens to him? Tom Herman is recruiting well enough that they'll have some talent behind him now that Casey Thompson isn't going anywhere. Dual-threat quarterback Roschon Johnson has ability too, even if he's raw.
It's going to hurt the immediate depth if Ehlinger goes down because Shane Buechele and Cameron Rising are set to transfer. Both are good enough to lead their own programs, so they won't stick around and get garbage time behind Ehlinger.
Rising already made a decision that his next destination will be the Utah Utes to play for coach Kyle Whittingham. With Tyler Huntley returning and almost certain to start, Rising will battle with Jason Shelley to be the Utes' next man up. Shelley looked good at times after Huntley's season-ending injury in 2018.
Buechele was the every-game starter for the Longhorns in 2016 and split time in '17 before watching much of Ehlinger's rise to glory from the sideline this past season. Wherever he transfers, Buechele will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Both Rising and Buechele likely will gain starting experience by leaving Ehlinger's shadow, but it makes things dicey for the 'Horns if Ehlinger goes down with injury. He's sturdy and durable, but Ehlinger's dual-threat game lends itself to bumps and bruises.
Texas needs to keep him upright.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2818489-biggest-winners-and-losers-of-cfbs-transfer-portal-thus-far#slide14