5 Players Washington Should Target In The Transfer Portal
The Washington Huskies are prepared to lose a lot of talent from the current roster, with 14 graduating seniors moving on and multiple underclassmen projected to forgo the remainder of their eligibility to enter the NFL draft.
With the transfer portal becoming an important part of roster construction for most programs, Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff already has sent out multiple offers to players looking for new schools.
Here are five players that Washington appears interested in and could make an instant impact for the Huskies in 2024.
Oregon State TE Jack Velling
Seniors Jack Westover and Devin Culp are both out of eligibility after the season and tight-ends coach Nick Sheridan will look to bring in more depth to offset their departures. Adding Velling to the mix brings a capable blocker and extra red-zone threat to Washington's offense.
The sophomore from Seattle Preparatory School pulled in 29 receptions for 438 yards and 8 touchdowns this season and would bring both the depth and experience that Sheridan is looking for.
Vanderbilt DL Nate Clifton
The Huskies are expecting to replace all four starting defensive linemen following the season and will need to add a lot of experience in the trenches, especially at defensive tackle. The graduate transfer brings four years of SEC experience and is coming off his most productive year.
He collected 30 tackles, 5.5 sacks and an interception, and, though he's listed as an edge, could be utilized all over the formation along Washington's defensive front.
Pennsylvania DT Joey Slackman
Slackman is one of the best available players in the portal, regardless of position, and is strongly considering Washington. The All-Ivy League first-team selection finished with 50 tackles and 4 sacks this year, and would immediately compete for a starting spot in his last year of eligibility.
"I look forward to speaking with the entire coaching staff further because Washington obviously is a top-flight program and a great institution, somewhere that I’m highly considering," Slackman told Inside the Huskies' Lars Hanson.
Kansas State CB Will Lee III
The cornerback who calls himself "The Blanket" has narrowed his list of schools to three: Texas A&M, Louisville and Washington. Lee received a lot of interest after entering his name into the transfer portal and would make a big impact in the secondary for the Huskies.
After picking up 42 tackles, 6 pass breakups and 2 interceptions this year, Lee was named All-Big 12 honorable mention and could be a big addition in the secondary.
All-Pac 12 second-team selection Jabbar Muhammad could opt to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter his name in the NFL draft and Lee, who has two years remaining, would be more than a suitable replacement on the outside.
Oregon State S Akili Arnold
With senior Dominique Hampton out of eligibility, Vince Nunley entering his name in the portal on Tuesday and the status of Asa Turner uncertain, the Huskies could find themselves with a highly inexperienced group at safety in 2024.
Arnold, a grad transfer, would add the experience co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell is looking for after enjoying a productive season.
He finished with 62 tackles and 2 interceptions, and would be a great stop gap while younger players such as true freshman Vincent Holmes and 2024 commits Peyton Waters and Joshua Lair continue to develop.
Go to si.com/college/washington to read the latest Inside the Huskies stories — as soon as they’re published.
Not all stories are posted on the fan sites.
Find Inside the Huskies on Facebook by searching: Inside Huskies/FanNation at SI.com or https://www.facebook.com/dan.raley.12
Follow Roman Tomashoff of Inside the Huskies on Twitter: @rtomashoff34 or @UWFanNation
Subscribe to the Locked On Huskies Podcast on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
Have a question? Message me on Twitter!