Late Spring Transfer Portal Impact: Must-Watch Moves for 2025 Fantasy

The spring transfer portal is closed, but key late moves are reshaping depth charts. These additions often fill urgent needs or create real opportunities for breakout roles. For college football fans and fantasy managers, tracking them is essential. It’s about fit, opportunity, and who can produce right away. Here’s how to quickly evaluate these final transfers and what they mean for depth charts and fantasy value heading into the season:

The Quick Evaluation Checklist:

1. Immediate Need: Did the new team lose significant production or depth at the position?
2. Scheme Fit: Does the player’s skillset align with the offensive or defensive philosophy?
3. Competition Level: Who is already on the roster? Is the path to playing time clear, or is it crowded?
4. Experience: Does the player bring proven FBS production or high-level physical tools needing development?
5. Health: Are there any lingering injury concerns that could impact availability or performance?

Now, let’s break down the key late risers:

1. Marquis Crosby (RB): Louisiana Tech → Oregon State
   • New School: Oregon State Beavers
   • Projected Role: Co-Starting Running Back / Rotational Power Back. Crosby arrives to fill the void left by Jam Griffin’s graduation. He brings proven production (918 yards, 9 TDs in 2022) and a physical, between-the-tackles style contrasting with starter Anthony Hankerson’s slashing ability.
   • Fantasy Projection: High-End Flex / Low-End RB2 Potential. Crosby immediately steps into a significant role in a run-heavy offense. While Hankerson is the lead back, Crosby’s history of volume and goal-line work (9 TDs in ’22) makes him a prime candidate for 12-15 carries per game and valuable TD upside. His injury history (missed most of 2023) is the main concern, but the opportunity is massive. Target him as a reliable RB depth piece with weekly Flex appeal.
   • Why it Matters: Oregon State desperately needed proven depth behind Hankerson. Crosby isn’t just depth; he’s a potential 1B option who perfectly complements the starter and fortifies the Beavers’ ground attack. Evaluation Lesson: Proven production + clear need + scheme fit = immediate fantasy relevance.
2. Harrison Waylee (RB): Wyoming → Virginia
   • Projected Role: Power Back in Rotation. UVA sought a physical complement to speedsters Xavier Brown and J’Mari Taylor. Waylee (5’10”, 212 lbs) fits the bill, bringing consistent production (5.0+ YPC average over 4 seasons at NIU/Wyoming) and a history of grinding out tough yards.
   • Fantasy Projection: Bench / Situational Flex. Waylee will carve out a role as the primary between-the-tackles runner and short-yardage option. However, the presence of Brown and Taylor limits his weekly ceiling for touches. Expect 8-12 carries per game with TD-dependent value. He’s valuable depth for UVA but likely a fantasy depth piece unless injuries strike. Draft late as a handcuff or situational play.
   • Why it Matters: Virginia lacked a true power back after Kobe Pace’s departure. Waylee provides that element and crucial experienced depth, making their RB room more versatile and resilient. Evaluation Lesson: Scheme-specific role player. Adds valuable real-football depth but faces competition limiting immediate fantasy ceiling.
3. Christian Abney (TE): Ball State → Illinois
   • Projected Role: Developmental TE #4 / Special Teams. Abney is a fascinating long-term project. A former high school QB with great size (6’5″, 243 lbs) and athleticism, he’s still raw at TE. Illinois has three established transfer TEs ahead of him (Arkin, Rusk, Stoffel). Reuniting with former Ball State HC Mike Neu (now an Illini analyst) provides valuable insight.
   • Fantasy Projection: Deep Dynasty Stash Only. Abney won’t factor into the 2025 fantasy landscape barring multiple injuries. The focus is on development. His athletic traits are intriguing for the future, especially if Illinois redshirts him to maximize his eligibility and refine his blocking/receiving skills. Ignore in redraft; monitor in deep TE-premium dynasty leagues.
   • Why it Matters: Illinois invests in long-term TE depth and upside. Abney adds athleticism to the room but is firmly behind established veterans. *Evaluation Lesson: Raw tools + development path. Zero immediate fantasy impact but a name to remember for 2026/2027.*
4. Madden Iamaleava (QB): Arkansas → UCLA
   • Projected Role: Backup Quarterback / Future Contender. Madden follows his superstar brother Nico to Westwood. A highly-touted 2025 recruit (No. 22 QB), he impressed as Arkansas’ 3rd-string QB this spring. He possesses the tools (6’3″, 185 lbs) but needs physical development.
   • Fantasy Projection: Dynasty Stash. Nico Iamaleava is the unquestioned starter and a potential Heisman candidate. Madden’s value is purely long-term. If he develops and Nico departs for the NFL after 2025, Madden could compete for the 2026 job. No redraft value. A high-upside dynasty hold.
   • Why it Matters: UCLA secures high-ceiling QB depth for the future and keeps the Iamaleava connection intact. This is about long-term roster building, not 2025 impact. *Evaluation Lesson: High-profile future play. No immediate path to playing time, making him irrelevant for 2025 fantasy outside deep dynasty.*
5. Bradyn Fleharty (QB): Yale → Ball State
   • Projected Role: Depth Quarterback / Potential Backup. Ball State needed arms after losing starter Kadin Semonza and backup Chase Harrison. Fleharty (6’3″, 195 lbs) adds depth behind Colorado transfer Walter Taylor III and returning part-time starter Kiael Kelly. He has minimal experience (1 game, no stats at Yale) but was a productive dual-threat in high school.
   • Fantasy Projection: Minimal / Waiver Wire Only in Superflex. Fleharty is unlikely to see meaningful snaps in 2025 barring injuries to both Taylor and Kelly. He’s a depth piece for Ball State. Not draftable.
   • Why it Matters: Ball State addresses a critical depth shortage at QB. Fleharty provides competition and a developmental option. Evaluation Lesson: Pure depth add. No fantasy relevance expected unless the depth chart collapses.
6. Artis Cole (WR): Louisiana-Monroe → Rice
   • Projected Role: Competing for WR3/WR4 Reps. Rice adds another piece to its receiving corps. Cole (6’0″, 190 lbs) showed flashes at ULM (13 rec, 168 yds, 1 TD in 2024) and brings a physical, playmaking style after the catch. He joins Coastal Carolina transfer Max Balthazar in a revamped WR room.
   • Fantasy Projection: Deep Sleeper / Waiver Watch. Cole has intriguing physicality but faces competition in a Rice offense breaking in a new QB (Lucas Scheerhorn, also a transfer). He’s a potential red-zone or possession target, but consistent targets are uncertain. Monitor in fall camp; potential late-round flyer in deep leagues or waiver wire add.
   • Why it Matters: Rice continues to bolster offensive skill positions via the portal. Cole adds size and competitiveness to the WR competition. Evaluation Lesson: Physical talent seeking opportunity. Low-cost addition worth monitoring for potential role growth.

The Final Word on Your Roster:

The final portal moves often solidify depth charts and reveal specific team needs. For fantasy:

• Prioritize Proven Production + Clear Path: Marquis Crosby is the standout here. His experience and Oregon State’s need make him a valuable target.
• Value Role Players in Strong Systems: Harrison Waylee has a defined, valuable real-football role at UVA, but fantasy upside is capped by the rotation. He’s a safe depth piece.
• Stash High-Upside Long-Term Plays: Madden Iamaleava and Christian Abney offer zero 2025 value but possess intriguing traits for future seasons (2026+). Target them late in deep dynasty drafts.
• Ignore Pure Depth Adds: Fleharty and likely Cole fall into this category for 2025. Monitor Cole’s camp buzz, but don’t invest draft capital.

By focusing on need, fit, competition, and proven ability, you can quickly cut through the noise of late portal additions and identify the few players truly poised to impact the field – and your fantasy lineup – this fall. These final moves aren’t afterthoughts; they’re critical pieces completing the roster puzzle. Scout them accordingly.

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