Last week, we took a look at who’s portal poach’n in the Sun Belt, adding to their rosters from the denizens of the well-fed. Train rolls both ways, however. While the Sun Belt has acquired some intriguing talent, it has lost quite a bit as well.
Once again, we rely upon the hard work of 24/7 Transfer Portal to ace some answers. I didn’t apply science to the picks; just went with my increasingly expanding gut. If you disagree, I invite you to keep it to yourself.
Appalachian State
Total Losses: 3
Biggest Bail: Marcus Williams Jr., RB to Louisiana Tech
QB David Baldwin Griffen and WR Raykwon Anderson is Appalachian State’s have both jumped into the transfer portal, but neither is claimed by another team. Perhaps minds are changed? In the meantime, RB Marcus Williams Jr has definitely departed Boone for Louisiana Tech. The oft injured RB tallied 503 rushing yards with three touchdowns last season
Arkansas State
Total Losses: 7
Biggest Bail: Justin Rice, LB to Utah State
Arkansas State lost half their QB production and a very reliable receiver when Logan Bonner and Brandon Bowling chose to follow outgoing head coach Blake Anderson to Utah State, but neither deliver quite the blow as losing outstanding defender Justin Rice. New head coach Butch Jones spent a great deal of time on the transfer portal looking of help to make-up for Rice’s production.
Coastal Carolina
Total Losses: 11
Biggest Bail: Fred Payton, QB to Mercer
Many of the Chant’s transfers are still looking for a home, including 3-star safety KJ Johnson. Their status is still hanging. The biggest bail has to be QB Fred Payton, who started the first six games of 2019 before injury, then found himself replaced by signal calling wunderkind Grayson McCall in 2020.
Georgia Southern
Total Losses: 11
Biggest Bail: Shai Wertz, QB to Louisville
It stung when Kendrick Duncan, a three-star safety, bailed to Louisville, but losing longtime signal caller Shai Wertz had to be the biggest shake up. Last season, the scrappy Wertz lead the team with 720 yards on the ground and 11 rushing touchdowns. Redshirt Junior Justin Tomlin is said to have the inside track to replacing Wertz.
Georgia State
Total Losses: 5
Biggest Bail: Jordan Strachan, LB to South Carolina
The Panthers had a relatively quiet transfer portal, but it was disappointing to see 4-star linebacker Jordan Strachan leaving for the Gamecocks after recording a team record 10.5 sacks for the Georgia State.
ULM
Total Losses: 17
Biggest Bail: TJ Fiailoa, OL to Louisiana
Last one out of Monroe, set the gumbo crock-pot on “warm.” Yes, there’s a pile of guys headed out of ULM. Whether it’s an unbearable culture of losing or Terry Bowden cleaning house, nobody knows. The biggest blow might be the departure of massive offensive lineman T.J. Fiailoa to the hated Cajuns. Adding insult to burns: Offensive lineman Samuel Williams jumping airboats to Louisiana Tech.was
Louisiana
Total Losses: 6
Biggest Bail: Joe Dillon, EDGE to TBD
So far, Cajun portal dandies aren’t receiving a pile of offers, which means maybe they withdraw their portal request before the season begins. However, one one think that head coach Billy Napier would rather keep Joe Dillon in the huddle. After all, all Joe did was end 2020 tied for third on the team with 19.5 career sacks.
South Alabama
Total Losses: 8
Biggest Bail: Mo Edwards, WR to Eastern Kentucky
A train of talent pulled out of Mobile when Steve Campbell was unceremoniously shown the door, leaving Kane Womack to fill the holes. The biggest hole might have been left by a 6-3 wide receiver who didn’t see much PT – Moe Edwards. Perhaps the Colonels will find a niche for him.
Texas State
Total Losses: 16
Biggest Bail: Hal Vinson, LB to FIU
The exodus from ULM is pretty profound, but the retreat from San Marcos is downright biblical. Much of the departing talent are of the three-star variety, including WR Jerimiah Hawkins WHO HAD JUST COMMITTED FROM CALIFORNIA IN JANUARY. But among all the losses, perhaps the most disappointing is that of tackle machine Hal Vinson, linebacker.
Troy
Total Losses: 8
Biggest Bail: Kaylon Geiger, WR to Texas Tech
Losing role players and 5th-year seniors is tough. Losing the 2019 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year absolutely blows. Geiger posted a total of 141 catches for 1,652 yards in two seasons at Troy, but maybe the Trojans have other guys, I dunno?
Howl Raiser 