The transfer portal ‘officially’ opened up on the 2nd, and signings are being announced left and right. Let’s start out by saying that the sky is not falling when a player enters the portal given the current
state of college football:
Evidently this was nearly a third of all D1 players. Insanity.
In terms of additions, BC welcomes QB Mason McKenzie to the Heights. A dual-threat quarterback at D2 Saginaw Valley State, McKenzie has had a strong few seasons at Saginaw winning conference player of the year this season and freshman of the year in 2024. At 6-1, 190 the Michigan native passed for over 2000 yards each of the past two seasons and ran for nearly 1000 more this year. Over two seasons as the full season starter, he three for 31 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. He upped his rushing output by 300 yards and four scores, while increasing his completion percentage from 55 to 60%. McKenzie started two seasons after redshirting 2023. He was rated the #52 ranked transfer QB, and had interest from Northwestern, Colorado State, and Temple. With Grayson James graduating, and Dylan Lonergan and Shaker Reisig hitting the portal, McKenzie will have the experience edge over incoming freshman quarterbacks Femi Babalola and Anthony Coellner.
Buffalo edge rusher Demetrius Ballard, a second year player with a huge frame at 6-5, 255. He didn’t play too much in his redshirt freshman season, but over 11 games the PA native had 12 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Ballard had a visit scheduled with Ole Miss as well.
Washington State linebacker Anthony Palano also signs with BC. The former two-star prospect began his career at South Dakota State before jumping to the Cougars for a season. The Illinois native started seven games and made 65 tackles and four QB hurries.
Welcome to the Heights to Mason, Demetrius, and Anthony!
In other transfer news, Lonergan has landed at Rutgers with Greg Schiano. Similarly to Phil Jurkovec a few years back, Lonergan is able to stay competing at a power conference level. Good luck to him.
In sadder news, and in what certainly wasn’t a case of tampering, Curt Cignetti and his top-ranked Hoosiers received a commitment from star running back Turbo ‘Dick’ Richard. The Indiana program has been on an absolute tear in the transfer portal, and they continue the run this off-season all while competing for a College Football Championship.
Reed Harris made the earlier list as the #17 prospect. He’s been linked to Arizona State of late. On the bright side, safety KP Price announced he’ll be returning for his senior season.
The portal will remain open until January 16th. As O’Brien has explained, players certainly have the option of returning despite entering the portal.
