SEC Transfers: Impact Newcomers – Mateer & Anderson
- The southeastern Conference (SEC) has been aggressive in utilizing the transfer portal, with several programs expending significant resources to land impactful players for the 2025 college football season.
- Talent evaluation is paramount when scouring the portal, as coaching staffs face a limited window to make critical decisions that best suit their programs.
- Here are five SEC transfer portal newcomers expected to make immediate contributions:
SEC Transfer Portal Newcomers Poised for Impact in 2025
Updated June 03, 2025
The southeastern Conference (SEC) has been aggressive in utilizing the transfer portal, with several programs
expending significant resources to land impactful players for the 2025 college football season. The expectation
is that these SEC transfer portal additions will yield immediate results on the field this
fall.
Talent evaluation is paramount when scouring the portal, as coaching staffs face a limited window to make
critical decisions that best suit their programs. Projecting which SEC transfer additions will provide the most
instant impact involves considering their overall potential and offseason performance.
Here are five SEC transfer portal newcomers expected to make immediate contributions:
Jackson Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners
Mateer, formerly of Washington State, is one of five new transfer starting quarterbacks in the SEC this season.
He brings a comprehensive skill set to Oklahoma’s revamped offense under Ben Arbuckle, his former offensive
coordinator. last season, Mateer passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, adding 826 rushing yards and 15
scores. His third-down precision shoudl significantly improve an Oklahoma unit that struggled in crucial
situations last year.
Deion Burks, Oklahoma Sooners
Burks, previously at Purdue, is set to bolster the Sooners’ receiving corps. In 2023, he recorded 47 catches for
629 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and make contested catches.His
arrival is expected to provide a significant boost to Oklahoma’s passing game.
JuJu Lewis, LSU Tigers
Lewis, coming from Oklahoma, headlines LSU’s top-rated transfer haul. He leads a revamped wide receiver group
that includes Barion Brown from Kentucky and Destyn Hill from Florida State. Despite missing most of the 2024
season due to injury, Anderson aims to replicate his 2023 performance, where he averaged 21 yards per catch and
scored 10 touchdowns.
Cashius Howell, LSU Tigers
Howell, formerly of Florida State, is part of Brian Kelly’s effort to improve LSU’s defensive physicality.Alongside Jack Pyburn from Florida, Howell, who tallied 11 sacks over his last two seasons with 26 tackles for
loss, aims to upgrade LSU’s defensive line and improve their run defense.
Zion Nelson, Texas A&M Aggies
Nelson, previously at NC State, has the potential to lead the SEC in touches for the Aggies. As a former
freshman All-american in the ACC, his numbers dipped slightly in his sophomore year, with 53 catches for 460
yards and six touchdowns. Still, Texas A&M secured his services amidst competition from other elite
programs.
What’s next
As the 2025 college football season approaches, these SEC transfer portal additions are poised to make a
significant impact on their respective teams. Their performances will be closely watched as they integrate into
their new programs and compete for conference supremacy.
