In 3 Seasons, UW Has Brought in Nearly a Full Lineup Through Portal
A supermarket sweepstakes is where some lucky person is given a shopping cart, put on a timer and sent scurrying down aisles, grabbing as much free stuff as he or she can.
That pretty much accurately describes college football's transfer portal, too.
On Wednesday, the University of Washington football program welcomed former Kansas State offensive lineman Jalen Klemm to Montlake, adding its ninth transfer from a four-year school to the roster since last season ended.
Klemm represents the 17th newcomer through the portal since Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff took over 19 months ago, and the first offensive lineman — as the Huskies continue to tweak the process.
Just this spring, DeBoer indicated he was reluctant to take linemen out of the portal, saying, "I think that position is a development position. You've got to develop them and they've got to be here. Finding transfers to come in at offensive line all the time is a slippery slope that we don't want to live on."
The 6-foot-5, 273-pound Klemm would be the exception because the one-time 4-star recruit and son of an NFL assistant coach redshirted last fall and comes in with four seasons to play four.
Counting Jimmy Lake's last season in 2021, the Huskies have brought in 21 players from every Power 5 conference and more — nearly a full starting lineup.
Here's a review of where they've come from and how they've turned out over the past three seasons, since the transfer portal became a big thing:
PORTAL PICK-UPS
2021
Giles Jackson, WR-KR, Michigan, Big Ten — He's been a part-time starter now entering his third season in Montlake.
Jeremiah Martin, ER, Texas A&M, SEC — He spent two seasons at the UW and became a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
Patrick O'Brien, QB, Colorado State, Mountain West — was brought in for depth and appeared in two games as a sub.
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Texas Tech, Big 12 — He's entering his third Husky season as a starter and will have two more years to play if he chooses.
2022
Cam Bright, LB, Pittsburgh, ACC — He assumed a starting role and finished as the Huskies' third-leading tackler.
Aaron Dumas, RB, New Mexico, Mountain West — Dumas was the rare miss for the DeBoer staff, not playing last season because he lacked speed and transferring out.
Kris Moll, LB, UAB, Sun Belt — He provided depth as a back-up player and appeared in all 13 games.
Will Nixon, RB, Nebraska, Big Ten — The Huskies converted him from wide receiver to running back and he was a contributor, playing in 11 of 13 games.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Indiana, Big Ten — The biggest portal pick-up yet, he returned the Huskies to an 11-2 team that played in a bowl game, led the nation in passing yards per game and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.
Jordan Perryman, CB, UC Davis, Big Sky — He became a full-time starter but never really had a chance to show off his skills after getting injured.
Kevin Ryan, P, Idaho State, Big Sky — Ryan was another portal player who didn't pan out, coming in last season and getting beat out by walk-on Jack McCallister.
Wayne Taulapapa, RB, Virginia, ACC — He became a full-time starter, led the Huskies in rushing and was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
2023
Darren Barkins, CB, Oregon, Pac-12 — He should provide depth this season and enter the starting competition at some point.
Germie Bernard, WR, Michigan State, Big Ten — He likely won't start this season, but he'll play a lot and could become the Huskies' No. 1 receiver as soon as 2024.
Josh Cuevas, TE, Cal Poly, Big Sky — He'll play this season in a support role, proving himself to be an effective blocker in the spring.
Zach Durfee, ER, Sioux Falls, NCAA Division II — The Huskies have him for three seasons, he could become a starter in 2024 and he might turn out to be a portal steal.
Ralen Goforth, LB, USC, Pac-12 — The veteran Goforth should be in the mix to start after opening 17 games for the Trojans.
Muhammad Jabbar, CB, Oklahoma State, Big 12 — He's a proven commodity, is advertised as the best the Huskies have at corner and is pegged to start this fall.
Dillon Johnson, RB, Mississippi State, SEC — He was injured most of the spring, but should challenge for the starting job.
Jalen Klemm, OL, Kansas State, Big 12 — He's insurance should either Roger Rosengarten and Troy Fautanu, or both, leave following this season.
Daniyel Ngata, RB, Arizona State, Pac-12 — Similar to Johnson, he was injured much of the spring, but should draw some starting consideration.
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