The transfer portal window closed on Friday, Jan. 16, as NCAA football players ended the week with a flurry of commitments, signings and declarations. Players who are in the portal can still commit without restrictions.
There are a number of Savannah area players who are on the move, including a pair of Savannah area quarterbacks who are headed to the northeast.
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Former Cavalier 4-star quarterback Jake Merklinger is making the move from Tennessee to UConn, while former Benedictine signal caller Holden Geriner is moving on from Texas State to join the program at Pitt.
Here’s a look at Savannah area players and where they have landed in the transfer portal.
Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day
Merklinger is moving from Tennessee to UConn. He had a plethora of Power 4 offers coming out of Calvary Day and was ranked as among the Top 10 high school quarterbacks in the country by 247Sports.
He appeared in three games last season as a redshirt freshman and threw for 173 yards and a pair of scores. He is expected to compete for the starting job next season with the Huskies and has three years of eligibility left.
Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger (12) during Tennessee’s game against New Mexico State in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 15, 2025.
Holden Geriner, Benedictine
Geriner was a four-star prospect in his days at Benedictine and was ranked as the No. 18 quarterback in the country in the 247Sports composite as he signed with Auburn.
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In three seasons at Auburn, Geriner appeared in eight games and threw for 116 yards. He transferred to Texas State this year and appeared in three games, attempting one pass on the season.
Geriner comes to Pitt with a year of eligibility left.
Michael Smith, Calvary Day
Smith had announced he was headed to Syracuse from South Carolina in early January, but his status has changed a couple of times since then.
Tony Morrell of 247Sports initially reported that Smith wanted to return to South Carolina under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. The move back to South Carolina was stalled because of an NIL deal with Syracuse, several recruiting sites reported.
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But on Saturday night, Jan. 17, Pete Nakos of On3.com reported that Smith has now committed to Ole Miss.
He had 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown as a freshman, but didn’t see the playing time he was expecting early this season and left the Gamecock team in October, announcing he was entering the portal.
Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Michael Smith (20) makes a touchdown reception as Missouri Tigers linebacker Chuck Hicks (30) defends in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Kenny Odom, Savannah Country Day
The speedster out of Savannah Country Day started his college career at Austin Peay before transferring to UTEP, where he had impressive campaigns over the last two seasons.
Now Odom is headed to the University of South Florida, where he joins three other Savannah players in former Benedictine star quarterback Luke Kromenhoek and defensive back Za’Quan Bryan, who made their moves from Mississippi State and Minnesota, respectively, and former Calvary Day defensive lineman Terry Simmons, who is coming from Duke.
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Odom was an All-Conference USA selection the last two seasons at UTEP. He had 62 catches for 582 yards and six touchdowns this season and reeled in 46 receptions for 746 yards and eight scores in 2024. He has one season of eligibility left.
Za’Quan Bryan, Benedictine
Another blue-chip high school recruit who starred in his prep days at Benedictine, Bryan was a starting cornerback for the Gophers this season. He announced his decision to sign with USF on Jan. 9.
Bryan had 36 tackles for the Gophers this season, with three passes defended and a forced fumble.
He joins his former Cadet teammate Kromenhoek on the Bulls roster and has two seasons of eligibility left.
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Kamari Maxwell, New Hampstead
Maxwell put up some big numbers in his senior season at New Hampstead and had a strong freshman year at Austin Peay. He announced his transfer to Sam Houston State on Jan. 14.
Maxwell had 23 receptions for 385 yards and four scores as a true freshman at Austin Peay this year.
Alijah Alexander, Benedictine
The former Cadet defensive line standout has moved from Eastern Michigan to McNeese State.
Alexander started his college career at Stetson, then entered the transfer portal to Florida A&M, but left after a semester to join Eastern Michigan for this season, where he didn’t see any game action.
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Other Savannah players who are on the move, as previously reported.
Luke Kromenhoek, Benedictine
Kromenhoek makes the move from Mississippi State to USF.
Tre Brown III, Jenkins
Brown III has transferred from Old Dominion to LSU. The standout receiver started his college career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
Terry Simmons, Calvary Day
The former standout Cavalier defensive lineman makes the move from Duke to USF.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: A look at where Savannah area football players have landed in transfer portal
