CBS Sports: New stars at Alabama, Texas ready to make an instant impact in 2024 season

[Blake Munroe]

SEC schools were busy in the transfer portal during the winter and spring windows. Five of the conference's 16 schools (including Oklahoma and Texas, which join on July 1) took at least 20 transfer prospects, more than the last three cycles combined. 

Given its status as one of the nation's premier conferences and with plenty of College Football Playoff competitors in its ranks, the SEC netted its fair share of additions as we creep towards the 2024 season. Here are some that will make an immediate impact. 

Texas WR Isaiah Bond 
Texas' roster is in great shape after last season's CFP run, and the Longhorns look like a legitimate competitor in their first year as an SEC program. But they did enter the offseason with one glaring problem: each of their top five receivers from that 2023 Big 12 championship team are gone. That includes all three starting wideouts -- Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington -- and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who combined accounted for just over 75% of Texas' receiving yards and 19 of its 25 touchdowns through the air in 2023. 

Coach Steve Sarkisian hit the transfer portal hard to bring in some experience and upside. No addition means more than that of Bond, who is primed for a breakout after a strong close to the 2023 campaign. He gained national acclaim with his heroic touchdown catch to save Alabama in its last-second win against Auburn and followed that up with nine catches for 128 yards in the postseason. A big-time playmaker, Bond should flourish with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers delivering the ball. Bond ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the portal. 

 

Here's the full article:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sec-football-transfers-new-stars-at-alabama-texas-ready-to-make-an-instant-impact-in-2024-season/