5 Notable G5 Defenders That Entered The Transfer Portal In December

In many cases, college football players keen on transferring do so right at the end of the regular season so they can join their new team in the Early Signing Period. However, sometimes players decide to wait and see how the market changes in those first few weeks, or want to play in their team's bowl game before they move on. 

Over the last several weeks, a few dozen G5 players have taken that approach and are testing the transfer market over the winter before the February signing period. On the defensive side of the ball, here are five that are likely to draw significant interest across FBS.

Wayne Matthews - Old Dominion, Linebacker

Measurements: 6' 2", 225 lbs

2023 Stats: 135 Tackles, 3 Passes Deflected, 3.5 Sacks, 3 Fumbles Forced

Career Stats: 149 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 4 Fumbles Forced, 3 Passes Deflected

Other Previous Schools: None

Notes: 2 years of eligibility remaining, Third Team All-Sun Belt in 2023

Cashius Howell - Bowling Green, Edge

Measurements: 6' 4", 235 lbs

2023 Stats: 27 Tackles, 9.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Pass Deflected

Career Stats: 55 Tackles, 11.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Passes Deflected

Other Previous Schools:  None

Notes: 2 Years of Eligibility Remaining, led the MAC in sacks in 2023, 13th nationally in sacks

Kam Alexander - UTSA, Cornerback

Measurements: 5' 11", 175 lbs

2023 Stats: 34 Tackles, 15 Passes Defended, 1 Sack, 2 Interceptions

Career Stats: 48 Tackles, 15 Passes Defended, 1 Sack, 5 Interceptions

Other Previous Schools: Sam Houston

Notes: 1 Year of Eligibility Remaining, First Team All-AAC in 2023, Frisco Bowl Defensive MVP

Caiden Woullard - Miami (OH), Defensive End

Measurements: 6' 5", 252 lbs

2023 Stats: 41 Tackles, 1 Pass Defended, 9.5 Sacks, 2 Fumbles Forced

Career Stats: 75 Tackles, 5 Passes Defended, 14 Sacks, 3 Fumbles Forced

Other Previous Schools: None

Notes: 1 Year of Eligibility Remaining, First Team All-MAC in 2023 

Julien Simon - Tulsa, Linebacker

Measurements: 6' 1", 227 lbs

2023 Stats: 58 Tackles, 2 Passes Defended, 2.5 Sacks

Career Stats: 58 Tackles, 2 Passes Defended, 2.5 Sacks

Other Previous Schools: USC

Notes: 2 Years of Eligibility Remaining, No. 156 overall player in the class of 2021