Portal Fact or Fiction: UCF's Factor Back, Kaliakmanis Starting, Damonic Williams' Impact

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Farrell | Last updated 5/6/24

In today’s Fact or Fiction — transfer portal edition — I look at three big recent topics from the transfer portal and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. RB Peny Boone is an impact player for UCF

Farrell’s take: FACT

Boone bounces around, so that’s a criticism as he has gone from Maryland to Toledo to Louisville and now UCF, but we all know Gus Malzahn loves to run the ball, and he’s going to be a great complement to RJ Harvey . This kid had 1,400 yards last season and can be elite if he’s focused.

2. QB Athan Kaliakmanis starting for Rutgers is a good sign.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

The Minnesota transfer isn’t any great shakes. But maybe that’s the offense at Minnesota, right? They didn’t throw downfield, and it was very conservative, but to me, if this is your starter at Rutgers, you’re not going to improve from 7-6 last year. I get it, Gavin Wimsatt wasn’t great last year, but he could at least run and keep defenses off balance. I’m not sure Kaliakmanis can keep anyone off balance.

3. DL Damonic Williams is an instant difference-maker for Oklahoma.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Some will say they didn’t want him. Some will say they drove up the price for the TCU standout to hurt Oklahoma’s NIL coffers. And those same people aren’t smart. This kid is durable, he’s athletic and he can push and chase as well as be stout in the run game. He’s a massive win in the portal for Brent Venables and an instant difference-maker.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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