The NCAA Transfer Portal cycle opened on Monday, Dec. 5 for all undergraduate transfers. FBS players are only allowed to enter the transfer portal from Dec. 5 to Jan. 18, a rule introduced by the NCAA in 2022. In tandem with the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver granting an extra year of eligibility for all student-athletes that competed in the 2020-21 school year, there will be lots of movement on Vanderbilt’s football roster this winter.
To help you keep up along the way we’ve created the Vanderbilt Football Offseason Attrition Tracker: Your one-stop shop for all Vanderbilt Football offseason news. Follow along all winter for updates.
STORY UPDATES
(Dec. 4, 6:45 p.m., CST): Ray Davis to enter NCAA transfer portal
Davis played in 15 games in his two seasons for the Commodores. In 2022, Davis rushed for 1,042 yards and 5 touchdowns. The California native averaged 4.5 yards per carry and had 5 100+ rushing yard games in his senior season. Before coming to Vanderbilt, Davis played for Temple, where he ran for 1,244 yards and 9 touchdowns in 16 games.
(Dec. 5, 10:32 a.m., CST): Vanderbilt QB Mike Wright to enter NCAA transfer portal
Wright first saw playing time with the Commodores in the 2020 season as a dynamic alternative to Ken Seals. After starting five of the last six games in 2021, Wright entered 2022 as the first-string quarterback. He had 6 touchdowns and a career-high 245 passing yards against Elon but lost his starting job to AJ Swann the following week against Wake Forest. He returned to replace an injured Swann later in the season and led the Commodores to heroic victories over Kentucky and Florida. The junior threw for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns and also ran for 517 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022.
(Dec. 23, 4:55 p.m., CST): Anfernee Orji declares for 2023 NFL Draft, foregoes extra year of eligibility
Building upon an already fantastic career on West End, Orji turned in a special season during his senior year, when he was elected a team captain in August. The Rockwall, Texas native amassed 108 tackles (2nd in the SEC) 7.5 tackles for loss (TFLs), 3 sacks and an interception in 2022. His play catapulted him into NFL Draft consideration as a likely Day 2 pick.
Updates will carry on all offseason.
Outgoing transfers (12)
Malik Langham, Elijah McAllister (Auburn), Mike Wright, Ray Davis (Kentucky), Jared Wheatley, Chase Lloyd, Joel Decoursey, Devin Boddie Jr. Rocko Griffin, Daniel Martin, Maurice Edwards
https://twitter.com/devinbjr/status/1597274034026135552?s=20&t=2_jx0ft8oJ6sIUxcAPldmg
https://twitter.com/Mr_DanielMartin/status/1599855725206855680?s=20&t=2_jx0ft8oJ6sIUxcAPldmg
Fifth-year returnees (4)
Matt Hayball, Julian Hernandez, Justin Ball, Jaylen Mahoney
Declared for NFL Draft with eligibility remaining (3)
Anfernee Orji, Michael Owusu, Ben Bresnahan
https://twitter.com/mikeislife/status/1606020919872196609?s=20&t=beDc62d8gGiwPnz7jcXN2w
