Though the portal hasn’t technically opened yet it hasn’t stopped players from announcing their intentions to enter it, and the negotiating with players (largely through agents) is well underway.
Florida is still looking to retain as much of their production from a year ago as possible, but armed with a mountain of NIL money all options are on the table for how they could look to bring in portal talent.
Already there are hundreds of players who have announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, and while it’s not even close to the full list of quality players that will look to move, it’s a start where we can see some of the names Florida could look to pursue.
This is part two of a series of the best players in the portal. If you haven’t yet read part two, you can do so here.
Here is part three:
Darin Smith
Central Connecticut
In every transfer class there are always players who put up outrageous numbers in small leagues which leads to questions about how it will translate up and there is no more interesting case this year to Darin Smith who averaged 20.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for Central Connecticut, a team ranked 307th in KenPom playing in the Northeast Conference, the 28th ranked league in the country according to KenPom. Smith has some length at 6’7” and has shot 41% from three in his two years of college basketball, so there are likely high-major teams that will talk themselves into taking him.
DeSean Goode
Robert Morris
The Horizon League player of the year, Goode is a 6’8” forward who probably is more like a center, though he might have to try and play the “4” if he wants to play at the higher levels of the sport. Averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game he was dominant physically in the Horizon, and though he took only 2 attempts per game he did shoot 57%, yes, 57%, from three. What might help Goode’s free agency is that he was about as productive at Robert Morris as Alvaro Fogueiras was the year prior, and he of course made a good name for himself as a key member of Iowa this year during their NCAA Tournament run.
Alex Wilkins
Furman
Furman has been a top mid-major for years and has pushed a lot of talent upwards because of it, and their most recent evaluation success story has been Alex Wilkins, a freshman who averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists this season. With three years to play and Furman players having a great reputation he’s likely to make a huge jump in level, also aided by the fact that he’s a 6’5” point guard.
Colby Garland
San Jose State
Yet another 6’1”-ish gunner who got up serious production on a struggling team, Garland is hoping to do some winning at his next stop after putting up preposterous numbers at San Jose State averaging 20.3 points and 4.6 assists. In a sea of players who were productive in bad spots it will be interesting to see who top teams prioritize, but Garland will be able to score wherever he ends up.
Money Williams
Montana
Money Williams shocked everyone when he chose to return to Montana last year after he could have certainly gone high-major, but by returning and being incredible once again he might have even better offers. The junior averaged 20.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, though it was a disappointing season following up the NCAA Tournament appearance a year before. At 6’4” and 210 pounds Williams is built powerfully and plays a physical brand of basketball that will attract high-major suitors.
Isiah Harwell
Houston
Harwell was the 16th ranked player in the class of 2025, though playing for a Houston team that was loaded with returning talent he wasn’t given much opportunity to showcase his talent. He was on the floor for 14 minutes per game but largely didn’t see the rock, and Houston’s offense doesn’t make too many players shine. Look for there to be all kinds of interested teams who loved him the first time around as a recruit. Harwell is 6’6” and 215 pounds, and this type of wing could fit pretty much anywhere.
Justin Neely
UNC Greensboro
One of the most unique players in the country, Justin Neely led the country in defensive rebounding percentage…while standing at just 6’5” and 200 pounds. A pint-sized power forward who absolutely dominates physically, someone might see a poor man’s Norchad Omier, though while Neely isn’t quite as athletic he may have more skill. In addition to the 11.5 rebounds he added 17.5 points per game and will make for one of the most challenging evaluation challenges any higher level programs will have this portal season.
Andrew McKeever
Saint Mary’s
In the search for 7-footers that might be in the second level of expenditure some could look at Andrew McKeever, a 7’1”, 255 pound center who averaged 8.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game actually coming off the bench (which speaks to just how good Saint Mary’s was this season). Though he isn’t as mobile as a lot of the other top centers in the portal–7’1” will always play.
Tyler Tejada
Towson
A productive three-year player at Towson, Tejada just had his best season averaging 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while also being a monster on the defensive end. With a 6’8”, 230 pound frame he’s probably best used as a power forward though he has some perimeter skills–though he is a below-average shooter. A high-major forward’s body, he could definitely play at the top of the sport.
Jalen Cox
Colgate
Before the Gators played Colgate earlier in the season I highlighted Cox as someone who could easily play at a higher level and that appears to be the case as he has entered the portal following his junior season averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists. A below average shooter at the guard spot (but not a terrible one) Cox relies a lot on his slippery driving game, and though he’s 6’3” the frame is quite skinny. Though he’s not a clear dominant high-major player, anyone who sees his smooth offensive game on film will be enticed.