On the heels of University of Akron football’s best season in nearly a decade, the Zips have returned to portal life.
The official window for players to enter the NCAA transfer portal was open from Jan. 2-16.
In the fourth season of Akron’s Joe Moorhead coaching era, the Zips went 5-7 in 2025, reaching five wins for the first time since 2017, when they finished 7-7. Whether UA will retain or add the requisite talent to continue improving under Moorhead remains to be seen, but the Zips have grown accustomed to enduring significant roster changes.
Akron’s portal news will be tracked here:
Akron Zips football signs Omari Abor
The Zips have signed defensive end Omari Abor, Akron announced on May 8 via social media.
Abor is a former SMU (2024) and Ohio State (2023) player.
Omari Abor stats
Abor played six games with Ohio State and then two games with SMU. He had two tackles with Ohio State and two with SMU.
Omari Abor height, weight
Akron lists Abor as 6 feet, 4 inches and 275 pounds.
Akron Zips football signs Eddie Smith III
The Akron Zips signed linebacker Eddie Smith III, UA announced on April 27.
Smith transferred from Mt. San Jacinto College in California.
Eddie Smith III stats
Smith played the past two seasons at Mt. San Jacinto College. Last season, he compiled 89 tackles, with nine for loss and one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and seven pass breakups in 10 games. In 2024, he tallied 12 tackles, with two for loss and one sack in five games.
Eddie Smith III height, weight
Akron lists Smith as 6 feet and 230 pounds.
Akron Zips football signs Brandon Tobias II
The Akron Zips announced on April 27 they signed defensive end Brandon Tobias II. Tobias previously spent time with Western Kentucky but didn’t log any statistics.
Brandon Tobias II height, weight
Akron lists Tobias as 6 feet, 5 inches and 250 pounds.
Akron Zips football signs Jalen ‘JD’ Williams and Jude Buchanan
The Zips announced they signed defensive tackle Jalen “JD” Williams and linebacker Jude Buchanan.
Jalen ‘JD’ Williams stats
Last season, Williams appeared in 11 games with Fort Hays State University as a senior. He compiled 27 tackles with five for loss and four sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Jalen ‘JD’ Williams height, weight
The Zips list Williams as 6 feet, 6 inches and 340 pounds.
Jude Buchanan stats
Last season at Western University in Canada, Buchanan played eight games. He compiled 54 tackles with one for loss and half a sack, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Jude Buchanan height, weight
The Zips list Buchanan as 6 feet, 1 inch and 245 pounds.
Akron Zips football program signs Jasun Ridley, Rod Smith Jr., Daxton Christman-Gourley and Malakai Ross-Graves
The Zips signed defensive end Jasun Ridley, defensive back Rod Smith Jr, offensive lineman Daxton Christman-Gourley and defensive tackle Malakai Ross-Graves.
Jasun Ridley stats
As a sophomore last season with Pasadena City College, Ridley compiled 47 tackles with 1.5 sacks and four for loss, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
Jasun Ridley height, weight
Akron lists Ridley as 6 feet, 2 inches and 260 pounds.
Rod Smith Jr. stats
Smith won three state championships with Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. As a senior, Smith compiled 72 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
Rod Smith Jr. height, weight
Akron lists Smith as 6 feet and 175 pounds.
Daxton Christman-Gourley stats
Christman-Gourley transferred from Hutchinson Community College to Akron.
Daxton Christman-Gourley height, weight
Akron lists Christman-Gourley as 6 feet, 5 inches and 300 pounds.
Malakai Ross-Graves stats
In 13 games last season as a sophomore with College of San Mateo, Ross-Graves posted 29 tackles with two sacks and eight for loss. He added two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Malakai Ross-Graves height, weight
Akron lists Ross-Graves as 6 feet, 2 inches and 300 pounds.
Former Akron Zips player Jake Newell transfers to Toledo
Former Akron tight end Jake Newell committed to Toledo through the transfer portal, the Rockets announced on X.
Jake Newell stats
As a redshirt junior last season with Akron, Newell caught four passes for 14 yards in six games. In 2024, he recorded 35 receptions for 254 yards and two TDs in 12 games. In 2023, he compiled 13 catches for 124 yards and one TD in 11 games.
Jake Newell height, weight
Akron lists Newell as 6 feet, 4 inches and 245 pounds.
Akron’s Tim Grear enters transfer portal
Akron wide receiver Tim Grear Jr. announced on X he has entered the portal.
Tim Grear stats
In 12 games last season as a redshirt senior, Grear caught 14 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He previously played at Fresno State (2023-24). In 2024, he had four catches for 46 yards in eight games. In 2023, he tallied eight catches for 98 yards and one touchdown in 11 games. He played for Ventura College in 2022 and recorded 43 catches for 764 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.
Tim Grear height, weight
Akron lists Grear as 6 feet and 190 pounds.
Akron signs Khory Moss
The Zips signed defensive back Khory Moss, UA announced on X.
Khory Moss stats
Last season as a freshman at Miami (Ohio), Moss appeared in three games. He did not record any defensive stats.
Khory Moss height, weight
Akron lists Moss as 5 feet, 11 inches and 190 pounds.
Former Akron Zips linebacker Markus Boswell commits to Texas football through NCAA transfer portal
Former Akron linebacker Markus Boswell entered the transfer portal and committed to Texas, he announced on X.
Markus Boswell stats
As a freshman last season, Boswell played in 11 games with Akron and compiled 19 tackles with one for loss and a sack to go along with an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Markus Boswell height, weight
Akron lists Boswell as 6 feet, 1 inch and 230 pounds.
Akron’s Kenneth McManus IV enters transfer portal and commits to Auburn
Akron offensive lineman Kenneth McManus IV committed to Auburn, he announced on Instagram.
Kenneth McManus IV stats
As a freshman last season, McManus played in 11 games with the Zips.
Kenneth McManus IV height, weight
Akron lists McManus as 6 feet, 2 inches and 320 pounds.
Akron signs Zach Hobson and Shamar McNeil
Akron signed cornerbacks Zach Hobson and Shamar McNeil, the Zips announced on X.
Zach Hobson stats
As a senior last season, Hobson appeared in two games and made one tackle with Old Dominion. He previously played at West Virginia State (2024) and Concord (2022-23). He had his most production in 2024, when he recorded 29 tackles with one for loss and five pass breakups for West Virginia State.
Zach Hobson height, weight
Akron lists Hobson as 6 feet, 3 inches and 195 pounds.
Shamar McNeil stats
McNeil played in two games and tallied one tackle and one pass breakup last season as a redshirt freshman with Missouri. He played in five games in 2024, producing two tackles and a fumble recovery. He played in one game in 2023.
Shamar McNeil height, weight
Akron lists McNeil as 6 feet, 3 inches and 180 pounds.
Akron football signs Wyatt Hook
Akron signed tight end Wyatt Hook, the Zips announced on X.
Wyatt Hook stats
Hook played 54 special teams snaps last season as a redshirt freshman with Michigan State. He appeared in the final six games of the season. He did not appear in a game with Michigan State in 2024, when he redshirted.
Wyatt Hook height, weight
Akron lists Hook at 6 feet, 6 inches and 265 pounds.
Akron football signs Reese Poffenbarger
Akron signed quarterback Reese Poffenbarger, the Zips announced on X.
Reese Poffenbarger stats
Poffenbarger appeared in two games last season as a senior at North Texas. He went 5-of-7 passing for 36 yards and rushed for 20 yards. He previously spent time with the Miami Hurricanes (2024), Albany (2022-23) and Old Dominion (2021). With Miami, he went 6-of-7 passing for 20 yards and added 12 rushing yards. With Albany, he started 26 games in two seasons and went 504-of-841 passing (59.9%) for 5,969 yards and 56 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He did not appear in a game during his stint with Old Dominion.
Reese Poffenbarger height, weight
Akron lists Poffenbarger as 6 feet, 1 inch and 215 pounds.
Akron football signs Dwight Nunoo
Akron signed linebacker Dwight Nunoo, the Zips announced on X.
Dwight Nunoo stats
As a redshirt junior last season with Florida International, Nunoo appeared in five games and compiled six tackles, with a half tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries. He previously played for Dodge City Community College.
Dwight Nunoo height, weight
Akron lists Nunoo as 6 feet, 1 inch and 230 pounds.
Akron football signs Nate Hampton
Akron signed offensive lineman Nate Hampton, the Zips announced on X.
Nate Hampton stats
As a freshman last season, Hampton appeared in two games with Saint Francis University.
Nate Hampton height, weight
Akron lists Hampton as 6 feet, 3 inches and 300 pounds.
Akron Zips football signs Carlos Slayden
Akron signed offensive lineman Carlos Slayden, the Zips announced on X.
Carlos Slayden stats
As a redshirt junior last season, Slayden appeared in six games with Southern Miss. He previously played for Troy and Tyler Junior College.
Carlos Slayden height, weight
Akron lists Slayden as 6 feet, 4 inches and 300 pounds.
Akron football signs Aidan Stire
The Zips signed kicker and punter Aidan Stire, Akron announced on X.
Aidan Stire stats
As a freshman with West Virginia, Stire did not appear in a game last season.
Aidan Stire height, weight
Akron lists Stire as 6 feet and 195 pounds.
Akron Zips sign Dawayne Galloway Jr.
Akron signed cornerback Dawayne Galloway Jr., the Zips announced on X.
Dawayne Galloway stats
As a freshman, Galloway spent last season with West Virginia, but he didn’t appear in a game.
Dawayne Galloway height, weight
Akron lists Galloway as 6 feet and 170 pounds.
Akron Zips football signs Miles Burris, Caiden Newsome, Vaughn Highland and Kurtis Waye
The Zips signed wide receiver Miles Burris, cornerback Caiden Newsome, defensive tackle Vaughn Highland and defensive end Kurtis Waye, Akron announced on X.
Miles Burris stats
As a sophomore last season with Charlotte, Burris caught 14 passes for 134 yards in 12 games. He also caught two passes for 64 yards in 11 games as freshman.
Miles Burris height, weight
Akron lists Burris as 6 feet, 3 inches and 205 pounds.
Caiden Newsome stats
Newsome compiled 24 tackles and four pass breakups in 12 games last season as a sophomore at Holy Cross. He had 13 tackles and three pass breakups in 10 games as a freshman.
Caiden Newsome height, weight
Akron lists Newsome as 6 feet and 180 pounds.
Vaughn Highland stats
As a freshman with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Highland racked up 38 tackles with 4.5 for loss and a half sack, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in 12 games last season.
Vaughn Highland height, weight
Akron lists Vaughn as 6 feet, 1 inch and 315 pounds.
Kurtis Waye stats
As a junior last season at Clark Atlanta University, Waye compiled 55 tackles with 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in 10 games. He played 11 games and tallied 30 tackles in 2024. He played 10 games and recorded 29 tackles in 2023.
Kurtis Waye height, weight
Akron lists Waye as 6 feet, 4 inches and 240 pounds.
Former Akron Zips player Ben Kamara enters transfer portal and commits to North Dakota
Akron cornerback Ben Kamara announced on Instagram he has committed to North Dakota.
Ben Kamara stats
As a redshirt junior last season, Kamara compiled 27 tackles with 4.5 for loss, a sack, four pass breakups and an interception. He previously played at Upper Iowa.
Ben Kamara height, weight
Akron lists Kamar as 6 feet, 3 inches and 200 pounds.
Akron Zips football program signs Brandon Smith
Akron signed offensive lineman Brandon Smith, the Zips announced on X.
Brandon Smith stats
As a redshirt sophomore, Smith appeared in 13 games for South Dakota last season. He previously played for Merrimack, logging 13 combined games in 2024 and 2023.
Brandon Smith height, weight
Akron lists Smith as 6 feet, 2 inches and 310 pounds.
Former Akron player Melvin Spriggs enters transfer portal and commits to Southern Miss
Former Akron linebacker Melvin Spriggs committed to Southern Miss through the portal.
Melvin Spriggs stats
As a redshirt sophomore last season, Spriggs collected 51 tackles with five for loss and 2.5 sacks in 12 games. He also tallied four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. In 2024, he registered 18 tackles with 1.5 for loss and forced a fumble in 11 games. In 2023, he redshirted at UA.
Melvin Spriggs height, weight
Akron lists Spriggs as 6 feet, 1 inch and 225 pounds.
Akron football signs Elijah Alexander
The Zips announced on X they signed tight end Elijah Alexander.
Elijah Alexander stats
As a freshman last season, Alexander caught 33 passes for 391 yards and four touchdowns in eight games with Laney College.
Elijah Alexander height, weight
Akron lists Alexander as 6 feet, 4 inches and 235 pounds.
Akron Zips football signs Ian Falkner, Melvin Puckett, Jeremiah ‘Poodah’ Jones and Stone Dean
Akron announced on X it signed the following four players: offensive linemen Ian Falkner and Melvin Puckett, linebacker Jeremiah “Poodah” Jones and long snapper Stone Dean.
Ian Falkner size, stats
Falkner previously played for Missouri Southern State University. He started nine of the 10 games in which he appeared last season as a redshirt junior. Akron lists him as 6 feet, 3 inches and 300 pounds.
Melvin Puckett size, stats
Puckett previously played for Bethune-Cookman. He started one game last season as a sophomore. Akron lists him as 6 feet, 3 inches and 300 pounds.
Jeremiah “Poodah” Jones stats, height, weight
Jones previously played for Southwestern College. As a sophomore last season, he compiled 59 tackles with 5.5 for loss and a sack. Akron lists him as 6 feet and 235 pounds.
Stone Dean stats, size
Dean previously played for West Texas A&M. As a redshirt sophomore last season, he appeared in all 12 games. Akron lists him as 6 feet, 3 inches and 220 pounds.
Former Akron Zips player Delvin Morris enters transfer portal and commits to Kansas State
Akron offensive lineman Delvin Morris entered the portal and committed to Kansas State.
Delvin Morris stats
Morris was a redshirt sophomore last season. He appeared in all 24 games the past two seasons (2025 and 2024), serving as a part-time starter in each year. He appeared in one game in 2023.
Delvin Morris height, weight
Akron lists Morris as 6 feet, 3 inches and 280 pounds.
Akron’s Dimitri Madden enters transfer portal
Akron defensive tackle Dimitri Madden announced on X he is in the portal.
Dimitri Madden stats
As a redshirt senior last season, Madden started one of the six games in which he appeared and compiled three tackles with a half tackle for loss and a half sack. He appeared in seven games and tallied four tackles with 1.5 for loss and a sack in 2024. He previously played for UTEP (2023) and New Mexico Military Institute (2021-22).
Dimitri Madden height, weight
Akron lists Madden as 6 feet, 3 inches and 305 pounds.
Akron’s Khalil Witherspoon enters transfer portal
Akron wide receiver and tight end Khalil Witherspoon announced on X he is in the portal.
Khalil Witherspoon stats
As a redshirt freshman last season, Witherspoon appeared in five games. He did not record any receiving statistics.
Khalil Witherspoon height, weight
Akron lists Witherspoon as 6 feet, 6 inches and 210 pounds.
Akron Zips sign transfers Gentz Hilburn and Titus Myers
Wide receivers Gentz Hilburn and Titus Myers signed with Akron, the Zips announced on X.
Hilburn is transferring from Tyler Junior College in Texas. Myers is transferring from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Gentz Hilburn stats
As a freshman last season, Hilburn caught 53 passes for 638 yards and five touchdowns and rushed 16 times for 111 yards and a TD.
Gentz Hilburn height, weight
Akron lists Hilburn as 5 feet, 10 inches and 195 pounds.
Titus Myers stats
As a sophomore last season, Myers appeared in six games with Old Dominion and primarily played special teams. He had one catch for 1 yard. As a freshman in junior college, Myers caught 54 passes for 888 yards and nine touchdowns with Iowa Western.
Titus Myers height, weight
Akron lists Myers as 6 feet, 2 inches and 180 pounds.
Akron’s Myles Walker enters transfer portal
Akron wide receiver Myles Walker announced on X he is in the portal.
Myles Walker stats
In nine games as a redshirt senior last season, Walker caught 20 passes for 209 yards and rushed once for 7 yards. He appeared in one game in 2024 and 12 games in 2023, when he caught seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t appear in a game in 2022. He appeared in three games in 2021.
Myles Walker height, weight
Akron lists Walker as 5 feet, 9 inches and 175 pounds.
Former Akron Zips player Kiawan Murphy enters transfer portal and commits to Western Kentucky
Former Akron defensive tackle Kiawan Murphy committed to Western Kentucky, he announced on Instagram.
Kiawan Murphy stats
As a redshirt junior last season, Murphy had 15 tackles with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in 12 games. He tallied five tackles in eight games in 2024. He appeared in five games in 2023 and one in 2022.
Kiawan Murphy height, weight
Akron lists Murphy as 6 feet, 2 inches and 320 pounds.
Akron’s Kam Cheatom enters transfer portal
Akron defensive end Kam Cheatom announced on X he is in the portal.
Kam Cheatom stats
As a redshirt sophomore last season, Cheatom had three tackles in five games. He appeared in 11 games in 2024, when he tallied nine tackles. He appeared in four games in 2023, when he recorded three tackles.
Kam Cheatom height, weight
Akron lists Cheatom as 6 feet, 3 inches and 240 pounds.
Akron’s Owen Wiley enters transfer portal
Akron kicker Owen Wiley announced on X his plan to enter the portal.
Owen Wiley stats
As a redshirt sophomore last season, Wiley made 4 of 10 field goal attempts and kicked off 51 times. Wiley redshirted with Akron in 2024 after appearing in four games. He made 4 of 6 field goals and 12 of 12 extra points in 2023.
Owen Wiley height, weight
Akron lists Wiley as 6 feet, 180 pounds.
Akron’s Cyrus Durham enters transfer portal
Akron defensive end Cyrus Durham has reportedly entered the portal.
Cyrus Durham stats
As a redshirt sophomore last season, Durham compiled 31 tackles with 8.5 for loss and three sacks, nine quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries in 12 games. In 2024, he appeared in two games with Arizona before redshirting.
Cyrus Durham height, weight
Akron lists Durham as 6 feet, 3 inches and 245 pounds.
Akron’s Rich Benenge enters transfer portal
Akron linebacker Rich Benenge announced on X he is in the portal.
Rich Benenge stats
As a sophomore last season, Benenge tallied five tackles in seven games. In 2024, he appeared in eight games and recorded 12 tackles and a pass breakup.
Rich Benenge height, weight
Akron lists Benenge as 6 feet, 1 inch and 210 pounds.
Akron’s Adam Samaha enters transfer portal
Akron kicker Adam Samaha announced on X he is in the portal.
Adam Samaha stats
Samaha did not appear in a game with Akron as a redshirt sophomore. He played one game for Michigan in 2023 before transferring to Akron.
Adam Samaha height, weight
Akron lists Samaha as 5 feet, 11 inches and 195 pounds.
Former Akron defensive lineman Bruno Dall commits to UCF
Akron defensive end Bruno Dall entered the portal and committed to UCF, the school announced on X.
Bruno Dall stats
Dall earned a third-team All-Mid-American Conference selection last season as a redshirt sophomore. He compiled 44 tackles, with 8.5 for loss and four sacks, six quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and an interception in 12 games.
In 2024, Dall had nine tackles, with two for loss and a sack in 11 games.
Bruno Dall height, weight
Akron lists Dall as 6 feet, 7 inches and 260 pounds.
Akron’s Max Whisner enters transfer portal and commits to Sam Houston
Akron tight end Max Whisner committed to Sam Houston, he announced on X.
Max Whisner stats
As a redshirt junior last season, Whisner appeared in 10 games and caught four passes for 36 yards and one touchdown. He played seven games for Akron in 2024 after transferring from Missouri.
Max Whisner height, weight
Akron lists Whisner as 6 feet, 4 inches and 245 pounds.
Former Akron Zips wide receiver Israel Polk commits to Oklahoma State
Akron wide receiver Israel Polk entered the portal and announced on X he committed to Oklahoma State.
Israel Polk stats
As a redshirt sophomore last season, Polk caught a team-high eight touchdown passes and ranked second among Zips players in receptions (33) and receiving yards (525). He garnered a second-team All-MAC selection.
In 2024, Polk compiled 24 catches for 201 yards at Akron after transferring from Pitt.
Israel Polk height, weight
Akron lists Polk as 6 feet, 1 inch and 175 pounds.
Former Akron Zips defensive lineman Julien Laventure commits to Texas Tech
Akron defensive end Julien Laventure entered the portal and committed to Texas Tech.
Julien Laventure stats
As a redshirt junior, Laventure led the Akron defense in tackles for loss (10.5) and tied for the lead in sacks (four). He added 45 tackles, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He received a second-team All-MAC selection in his only season at UA after transferring from Division II California University of Pennsylvania.
Julien Laventure height, weight
Akron lists Laventure as 6 feet, 1 inch and 270 pounds.
Former Akron Zips player Keylen Davis commits to Pitt
Akron offensive lineman Keylen Davis entered the portal and committed to Pitt.
Keylen Davis stats
As a redshirt junior, Davis started 11 of 12 games this past season and became a third-team All-MAC choice. He also started 11 games for UA in 2024 and appeared in six games in 2023. He redshirted with the Zips as a freshman in 2022.
Keylen Davis height, weight
Akron lists Davis as 6 feet, 2 inches and 290 pounds.
Former Akron Zips football player Elijah Reed enters transfer portal and commits to Utah
Akron cornerback Elijah Reed entered the portal and committed to Utah.
Elijah Reed stats
As a redshirt junior, Reed ranked sixth on Akron’s defense with 47 tackles last season and tied for first with two interceptions. He compiled four pass breakups, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss and a sack.
In 2024, Reed tallied 32 tackles, with 1.5 for loss, one interception and four pass breakups after transferring to Akron from Kentucky.
Elijah Reed height, weight
Akron lists Reed as 6 feet, 3 inches and 200 pounds.
Former Akron lineman Maasai King commits to Iowa State
Akron offensive lineman Maasai King tested the portal waters and committed to Iowa State.
Maasai King stats
As a redshirt junior, King started five of the 11 games in which he appeared last season, according to UA’s participation logs. He transferred to Akron from Lackawanna College after the 2024 season.
Maasai King height, weight
Akron lists King as 6 feet, 4 inches and 310 pounds.
Former Akron Zips player Jeremiah Ndaiga enters transfer portal and signs with New Haven
Former Akron offensive lineman Jeremiah Ndaiga signed with New Haven, the school announced on X.
Jeremiah Ndaiga stats
As a redshirt freshman, Ndaiga appeared in two games with the Zips this past season.
Jeremiah Ndaiga height, weight
Akron lists Ndaiga as 6 feet, 4 inches and 300 pounds.
The Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips football transfer portal tracker. Updates on who’s in, out
Reporting by Nate Ulrich and Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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