Portal Shopping: Which programs need to buy DBs this offseason?

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We conclude our position-by-position look at which teams might be the biggest buyers when the transfer portal opens next month with the defensive backs.

MORE IN THIS SERIES: Which program needs to buy a QB? | RB | WR/TE | OL | DL | LB

MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking | Basketball Player Ranking

MICHIGAN

USA Today

The Wolverines have one of the most talented secondaries in the Big Ten but they’re going to lose many of their key players after the season. Will Johnson is a projected first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft so Michigan will have to replace him along with Makari Paige, Aamir Hall and Quinten Johnson.

The roster does feature a few talented defensive backs with eligibility remaining and the Wolverines do have an impressive group of prospects coming in with the 2025 recruiting class. But they’ll be in the market for a high-end defensive back to help replace what they had with Johnson.

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NOTRE DAME

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Notre Dame is losing a number of important defensive backs after the season but the program is already working on ensuring it has the talented players ready to make their mark when they get their chance.

The Fighting Irish hold commitments from six defensive backs in the 2025 class but asking them to step in and replace Xavier Watts, Jordan Clark, Benjamin Morrison and others would be a very tall order.

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USC

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USC is accustomed to diving into the transfer portal and it’ll need to do so again. Akili Arnold, Jaylin Smith, Greedy Vance Jr., John Humphrey and Bryson Shaw won’t be suiting up for the Trojans again next season. The good news for USC is that it should have enough depth next year thanks to the defensive backs already on the roster. But the Trojans do still need more experience and high-end playmakers in the secondary and they’ll be searching the transfer portal to fill those needs.

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