Three positions that Stanford should target at during the next transfer portal window opening

The transfer portal will provide the Cardinal another chance to add talent

The transfer portal opened on December 2 2022 and closed 45 days later on January 18, and then opens up for a 15-day period during the Spring, from May 1-15.

The Cardinal found success dipping into the portal, adding two offensive lineman in Harvard transfer Alec Bank and Penn transfer Trevor Mayberry, and they also added a defensive transfer in FIU linebacker Gaethan Bernadel. Something that many said they would not be able to do when replacing David Shaw, as there was a thought that efforts were being made under the previous regime. Two things that proved to not be true.

Troy Taylor is responsible for ushering Stanford into this modern era of college football, and in doing so made it clear during his National Signing Day press conference that Stanford is open to taking in more talented players. The more reinforcements that can be added the better especially when you consider how inexperienced this team is.  I think there are three positions of need that Stanford should address during the transfer portal window that opens in spring, and there likely will be some viable options of guys who are looking for a bigger role than what they currently have.

Defensive back

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It doesn't matter whether it is a corner or safety, Stanford badly needs a boost in the secondary. They lost every starter from a year ago except for one, and the rest of the defensive backs on roster have little to no playing experience. The Pac-12 is the worst conference to be in with a very green secondary, when you consider the elite level of quarterback play we will see next season. 

Wide Receiver

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John Humphreys remains as the only receiver that saw extended playing time last season, and it never hurts to add some more weapons. While there likely won't be elite pass catchers entering the portal, there may be fringe guys departing from a school where they desire bigger roles. If Stanford doesn't address this need, the receivers we see on Saturdays will mostly be made up of underclassmen. 

Linebacker

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Yes, Stanford did land a tackling machine already from the transfer portal, but they also lost their entire starting unit from a year ago. This and the secondary are actually the two biggest positions of need, and if they aren't able to add more experience there will be a lot of growing pains.