RANKINGS: The Top 5 TE Commitments in the Transfer Portal

The confusion surrounding the transfer portal appears to be abating, and Power 4 teams have significantly strengthened their TE rosters. We have profiled the top five transfers from the transfer portal here.

(#5) Jake Johnson

North Carolina Tar Heels (from Texas A&M)
6’6”, 240 lbs.

Jake Johnson, a 4-star prospect according to the site, caught 24 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns in the previous season. In a narrow 26-20 loss to Alabama, Johnson recorded a season-high 4 receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Johnson has above-average pass-catching ability, a strong burst of speed for his stature, and makes an athletic target when there are red zone opportunities. Along with his brother, quarterback Max Johnson, he will relocate to Chapel Hill.

(#4) Drake Dabney

TCU Horned Frogs (from Baylor)

6’5”, 228 lbs.

Drake Dabney, the second-leading receiver for the Baylor Bears, caught 33 catches in 2023, accounting for 552 yards with five touchdowns. In a loss against Kansas State, he recorded two games with over 100 receiving yards, including a season-high 105 yards on four catches and a touchdown.

In week one, Dabney caught six passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Dabney caught at least one pass in every game last season and recorded three games of 20 yards or more per catch. For his career at Baylor, Dabney has 65 passes, 873 yards, and eight TDs to his credit.

(#3) Justin Joly

NC State Wolfpack (from UConn)

6’3”, 232 lbs.

In 2023, Justin Joly led the Huskies in receiving with 56 catches for 578 yards and two touchdowns, doubling his receiving yards from the 2022 season.

Joly produced a season-high seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown in a 38-31 win over Rice and registered four games of seven or more catches. Joly moves on to NC State, where tight end is a productive position under Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae.