With Jimbo Fisher out in College Station, keep an eye on star players like Evan Stewart possibly transferring away from the Texas A&M Aggies. The sophomore wide receiver was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in 2022. He was highly sought-after with 37 official offers, essentially having his pick of the litter as to where he wanted to go. The Frisco native stayed in-state at A&M.
Admittedly, I still think there is a very good chance he may stay put. It really hinges on who the Aggies pick to replace Fisher in the long-term. Stewart has one free transfer to use, if he feels so inclined, but he must choose wisely. I would venture to guess that if he were to transfer away from Texas A&M, it would be to another SEC program. There are other schools out there, but that is where my head is at.
As to where he could go, think about SEC programs who are in need of some dynamism in the receiving game. Stewart has had his moments catching passes from the likes of Conner Weigman and Max Johnson over the last two years, but we have not seen him tap fully into that five-star potential he had coming out of Frisco. Thus, someone keen on player development may covet him.
So many questions still need to be answered, but I would keep an eye on these fives teams for him.
Evan Stewart transfer rumors: 5 destinations for Texas A&M WR
5. Auburn Tigers could look vastly different in Hugh Freeze's second year
Auburn is by far and away one of the most fascinating teams to watch this offseason. It will be year two down on The Plains for Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze. No matter how you feel about him personally, he is a good head coach and one who favors the offensive side of the ball. He may need to win in high school recruitment long-term, but he has a tendency of really dipping into the portal, too.
Simply put, Auburn is in dire need of a talent upgrade at pretty much every position group. This is what happens when you replace an unmitigated disaster in Bryan Harsin who had no remote clue how to recruit in the SEC footprint. Stewart would be an immediate starter wherever he went, but Auburn has the potential to pop in year two under Freeze. They should be better than they were this season.
To me, I think it would serve Stewart to at least kick the tires on Auburn if he does enter the transfer portal. I don't know if the Tigers will be all that much better than what the Aggies have been the last two seasons, but a change of scenery can do anyone a world of good. NIL could play a factor in this, but was that not also a big reason why Fisher was able to land all of those blue-chippers for 2022???
Auburn will be open for business in the transfer portal, but I'm not sure if they get Stewart's business.
4. Florida Gators are reeling of late, but were in on Evan Stewart initially
Although Billy Napier's Florida Gators are heading in the wrong direction, possibly missing out on a bowl game in year two at the helm, I would not rule out their chances of landing Stewart in the portal. Florida was one of three places Stewart made an official visit to. While he may have been a native Texan, Florida has shown an innate ability to recruit somewhat nationally over the years in the SEC.
So for that reason, I think the Gators would have somewhat of a chance to land Stewart if he were to enter the transfer portal. However, they may be crossed out entirely if the Florida athletic department decides to make a change at the helm of the head coaching position. Going 5-7 with five straight losses to end the season vs. Georgia, Arkansas, LSU, Missouri and Florida State could ruin Napier.
Frankly, that might happen, regardless of what Florida wants to do about Napier. Missouri and Florida State are two of the top 10 teams in the country. I would not expect the Gators to come out on top in their SEC season finale or in the Sunshine Showdown vs. the major in-state rival. Then again, if Napier is out and Florida can replace him with someone good, then maybe Stewart will have interest.
There are too many moving pieces regarding Florida for us to think they are the likeliest landing spot.
3. LSU Tigers will need to get Garrett Nussmeier some big-time weapons
Despite having a very intriguing quarterback already on their roster in Garrett Nussmeier, you have to remember that was not a player that Brian Kelly recruited. He opted to bring in former Arizona State starter Jayden Daniels by way of the transfer portal. This has worked out wonderfully for both parties, as Daniels blossomed into an SEC star, while Kelly has become way more likable as a result of this.
But what about next year? That is the year when Kelly's teams really pop. It happened at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Notre Dame previously. While they may look at a quarterback in the transfer portal, I love Nussmeier's arm talent. He may not be as dynamic as Daniels has become, but his level of play can be elevated with a guy like Stewart turning heel in this newish Thanksgiving Week rivalry.
Even if Aggie fans hate to admit it, LSU is the better program in the past, the present and probably in the future. Louisiana is a neighboring state to Stewart's native Texas. We have seen so many star wide receivers come out of LSU in recent years. I think aligning himself with the Bayou Bengals' brand could be huge for Stewart. He might also help Kelly be able to recruit defensive backs worth a damn.
I could totally see Stewart playing for LSU, but I like two more SEC schools more than the Tigers here.
2. Texas Longhorns could be the team to beat in the SEC when they arrive
While the Texas Longhorns are still very much alive to get to the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history as of Week 12, next year might be the year where they can realistically win a national title. It will be Steve Sarkisian's fourth year at the helm. With injured running back Jonathon Brooks expected to return and Quinn Ewers increasingly likely to return as well, go get Stewart, y'all!
Oh, this potential heel turn could have major implications in The Lone Star State, alright. Not only do the Aggies absolutely hate Texas, but the Longhorns are joining the SEC next season alongside Oklahoma. Barring something unforeseen, I would envision Texas being able to compete for a league championship right away in its new league. This Texas offense has the potential to be very explosive.
The other interesting factor of note here is Texas was the third school Stewart officially visites with. Unlike Florida, and Texas A&M sadly, this Texas staff should be mostly intact if Stewart were to want to transfer over there. With Sarkisian's ability to hit big in the portal with the likes of Ewers and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, I would not rule him out being able to make the biggest wide receiver splash.
Picking up Stewart in the transfer portal would make Texas A&M weaker and Texas so very powerful.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide must get more explosive outside the numbers
Can Alabama win it second national title in four seasons? Oh, absolutely. But the Crimson Tide have to beat Auburn and Georgia first before even getting into the College Football Playoff. They are much better than they were in September, as Jalen Milroe has really found it as a dual-threat playmaker at quarterback. However, I think getting more explosive outside the numbers remains ultra-paramount.
Alabama is a marquee transfer destination for any high-end player who wants to contend for championships. Nick Saban may not be getting any younger, but he seems to have struck gold with the most recent offensive coordinator hire, Tommy Rees. After needing a few weeks to see what he has in the kitchen, Rees is starting to cook with Milroe. Of course, we wonder what the next course will be.
I think adding a dynamic player like Stewart to the equation could make the Crimson Tide every bit as explosive as they were the last two times they reached the playoff. If Stewart is somewhere between DeVonta Smith or John Metchie III, then that would be wonderful for the Crimson Tide's chances of winning it all in 2024. To pick up a Jameson Williams-type of player in the portal from a rival is huge!
Alabama's offense is good already, but it can be even better with the addition of Stewart in the portal.
