Edge rusher Tyler Baron, running back Damien Martinez and wide receiver Sam Brown are three of the five players in an article from 247Sports "NFL scouts reveal top draft prospects from 2024 college football transfer portal's spring window."
Oklahoma defensive lineman Damonic Williams who transferred from TCU and Auburn WR Deondre Lambert-Smith are the other two top draft prospects from the spring transfer portal window per the NFL Scouts.
'Some of the superlatives used for Brown were "He's bigger than you think and better after the catch" from a coach who was at Houston with Brown. The unnamed coach continued "He's big. He's athletic...He's an elite competitor, like a high, high level competitor. He's physical and he'll block on the perimeter...he can play X, he can play Z and he can play in the slot."
In two seasons with Houston, Brown had 103 receptions for 1,286 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown had a breakout season under Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson in 2022 with Houston. Brown had 41 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. Before Houston, Brown spent two seasons at West Virginia.
Based on feedback from NFL scouts, here are the top five 2025 NFL draft prospects from the spring transfer portal cycle.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) July 12, 2024
Of the five, three are now at Miami, including two potential top three round picks that have been added to the Hurricanes’ offense.https://t.co/sIILC9pe8W pic.twitter.com/hs3We9Aeib
A personnel director from one of Martinez's 2023 opponents at Oregon State told 247Sports he has "Great contact balance...Between the tackle runner who isn't afraid to put his head down. Not a true burner but has a sneaky second gear to him. Ideal build to him. Thick throughout his (lower body). … Can do everything you want in the run game."
Martinez ran for 2,167 yards and 16 TDs with 15 receptions for 187 yards in two seasons at Oregon State. Martinez was named first-team All-Pac 12 twice, named a 247 Sports True Freshman All-American in 2022 and Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Of The Year.
Scouts told Matt Zenitz of 247Sports that Baron is an "early-to-mid Day 3 type prospect entering the season." NFL Draft Buzz states Baron's "spin move is already NFL-caliber, and he displays a very good motor...As a pass rusher, he shows quickness off the line and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to bend the edge."
"Baron struggles to shed blockers and doesn’t show ideal lateral movement skills" per the NFL Draft Buzz scouting report as one of his weaknesses. Baron transferred to Miami after spending spring practice with Louisville. In four seasons at Tennessee, Baron had 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and four pass breakups.
Brown and Martinez are projected starters in 2024. Baron is expected to be an impact player for Miami and could potentially start. Miami cleaned up in the portal during the spring. Miami also added defensive tackle Simeon Barrow, linebacker Jaylin Alderman and defensive back Dyoni Hill as spring transfers.