The 2025 college football spring transfer portal slammed shut, and it left a trail of team-shifting moves in its wake. This spring’s window might not have had as many headline names as the fall, but schools like Ohio State, Georgia, UNC, and Miami still landed some big-time pieces.
Analysts Cooper Petagna and Smoke Dixon dug into these transfers, pointing out where each player fits and what we might see next season.
Ohio State and Georgia Bolster Defensive Line
Ohio State and Georgia, both famous for their tough defenses, started spring practice with some real gaps up front. They each went to the portal and grabbed two of the top pass-rushers out there.
Elo Modozie Joins Georgia
Elo Modozie left Army for Georgia, bringing his Group of Five pass-rushing chops with him. He’s 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, and wrapped up 2024 with 34 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
Modozie racked up 37 pressures—good for fifth in the AAC. Penn State, Texas A&M, and Florida State all wanted him, but he picked Georgia.
*He’s got a little bit of Jalen Walker in him,* Petagna said. *His on-ball and off-ball skills stand out. The guy was a high school receiver and put on 50 pounds in college—now look at him!*
Beau Atkinson Heads to Ohio State
Ohio State snagged Beau Atkinson from North Carolina. Atkinson’s a 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end who led the Tar Heels with 7.5 sacks last year.
His 25 pressures would’ve been third-best on the Buckeyes—just behind Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, who are both off to the NFL now.
*Beau can play three-technique or end,* Dixon said. *He brings that same pass-rushing juice Ohio State just lost.*
UNC Finds New Quarterback
North Carolina had some big questions at quarterback after spring ball wrapped. They went portal hunting and landed Gio Lopez from South Alabama.
Gio Lopez’s Impact
Lopez, a 6-foot, 220-pound lefty, broke out as a redshirt freshman last fall. He completed 206 of 312 passes for 2,559 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five picks.
He also ran for 465 yards and seven scores. That gives head coach Bill Belichick a steady, reliable option at QB.
*Gio Lopez is a high-floor game manager,* Petagna said. *He can move a bit and could win over the locker room fast, especially with OC Freddie Kitchens in the mix.*
Miami Adds Versatile Playmaker
Miami came out of the spring portal with a win, adding Keenan Marion from BYU. Marion’s an All-America kick returner and gadget guy who’ll give transfer quarterback Carson Beck another weapon.
Keenan Marion’s Versatility
Marion, at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, took two kickoffs to the house last season. He piled up 442 yards and scored three more times on offense.
He can line up as a receiver or take handoffs, so Miami gets a real chess piece for the offense.
*Xavier Restrepo put up big numbers,* Petagna said. *Now you put Keelan Marion in that spot, get him the ball, and you’ll see fireworks.*
Transfer Portal Profiles
The transfer portal is now a must-use tool for college football teams trying to patch holes fast. Here’s a look at some of the top fits from the spring window, according to Petagna and Dixon:
Keenan Marion (Miami)
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Previous School: BYU
- Profile: No. 80 OVR, No. 18 WR
- Impact: Versatile weapon for Miami’s offense
Elo Modozie (Georgia)
- Position: Edge Rusher
- Previous School: Army
- Profile: No. 48 OVR, No. 8 ED
- Impact: Depth and potential Day 1 or Day 2 NFL Draft pick
Gio Lopez (North Carolina)
- Position: Quarterback
- Previous School: South Alabama
- Profile: No. 390 OVR, No. 31 QB
- Impact: Likely starter and high-floor game manager
Beau Atkinson (Ohio State)
- Position: Defensive End
- Previous School: North Carolina
- Profile: No. 154 OVR, No. 20 ED
- Impact: Immediate impact on Ohio State’s defensive line
Conclusion
The 2025 spring transfer portal has shaken things up for college football programs. Teams like Ohio State, Georgia, UNC, and Miami have landed some big names.
The upcoming season looks like it could get wild. If you want a deeper dive, you can check out the full article on 247Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews