Pair of local products among those entering transfer portal this week
The stampede toward the transfer portal includes at least a pair of local high school products who played in the Big Ten this season.
Northmont grad Jestin Jacobs announced Tuesday afternoon he is leaving Iowa after three seasons. Michigan tight end Erick All, from Fairfield, is also seeking a new home.
“Thank you Hawkeye nation and the whole University of Iowa football staff,” Jacobs wrote in a message posted to social media. “I appreciate everything that I have learned, the friends I have made and the memories I’ll hold forever. I will never forget the impact Iowa has not only had on me as a player but as a person as well. I would also like to thank my teammates for showing me the right way to play football and humbling me in many ways. It has truly been an honor to be a Hawkeye. Thank you all.
“With that being said, I have now entered the transfer portal.”
Jacobs is a grad transfer with at least two years of eligibility remaining. Calculating eligibility can be tricky with the 2020 season not counting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jacobs redshirted in 2019, played a small role in 2020 then was fifth on the team with 53 tackles last season when he started nine games and played in all 14.
He played two games this season before suffering a season-ending injury, so he might get a medical hardship waiver down the line if desired.
Jacobs was a four-star recruit in the class of 2019. He committed to Iowa during the summer before his senior season then rejected an offer to flip to Ohio State in the fall.
All was also a four-star recruit who committed during the summer of his senior year. He had a long list of offers from Power 5 schools including Notre Dame
and Florida State.
He played 33 games for the Wolverines and caught 54 passes for 565 yards and two touchdowns. After being honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021, he was voted a captain this year, but an undisclosed injury limited him to three games.
“I know some of you are wondering why I would leave and the answer to that question is unexpected,” All wrote on Twitter. “Not everything/everyone are what they seem, and I learned that from my time here at Michigan. Sometimes you have to let go and do what’s best for you and your family. Love you guys. Go Blue.”
Pedigree and experience should make Jacobs and All hot commodities on the transfer trail assuming they fully recover from their injuries, but there is lots of competition.
According to SportSource Analytics, more than 1,000 players entered the portal since it opened Monday, and if history is any guide, many will not find new homes by
next year.
The NCAA reported in April that only 54% of players who entered the portal the previous year found new schools.
Based on new rules approved in August, the portal is only open for periods of time, including Dec. 5-Jan. 18 and again May 1-15 in this school year.
However, that does not apply to graduate transfers, players at schools who lose their head coach or players who have their scholarships altered or canceled.
Alter graduate Connor Bazelak previously announced he is looking for a new school after one year at Indiana, and Northmont grad Markus Allen announced he is transferring from Wisconsin to Minnesota.
McGohan decommits from UC: Jackson McGohan is not going to be a Cincinnati Bearcat after all.
The standout senior tight end from Miamisburg announced this week he rescinded his commitment from UC in the wake of head coach Luke Fickell leaving to take the same job at Wisconsin.
“After careful consideration with family and coaches, we believe it is best if I look elsewhere,” McGohan wrote on social media. “I will be de-committing from the University of Cincinnati.”
He told rivals.com he will not reconsider UC, which hired former Louisville coach Scott Satterfield on Monday, but he might take a look at Fickell’s new home.
“When I heard he was leaving, it kinda hurt, but I always knew God has a plan, and that could very easily be where I go,” McGohan said.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound McGohan was fourth in the GWOC with 941 receiving yards this season. He caught 11 touchdown passes and ran for another score.
He committed to UC in January but continued to receive scholarship offers, including from Oklahoma, Iowa and Miami (Florida) in May.
Auburn and LSU offered last month according to 247Sports.com, and McGohan plans to take an official visit to LSU this weekend.
Cincinnati has lost 10 verbal commits since Fickell’s departure, including Badin star Braedyn Moore.
McGohan is the No. 25 tight end prospect in the country per 247Sports Composite rankings and the 16th-rated prospect in Ohio.
A pair of his Miamisburg teammates are also threestar recruits in the class of 2023: Running back Christian Davis, who has committed to Ball State, and offensive lineman A.J. Salley, another former UC commit who is now committed to Campbell.