Several Stanford players set to transfer as search for David Shaw’s replacement continues

As Stanford’s search for longtime head coach David Shaw’s replacement continues, many Cardinal players are preparing to leave the program.

On Friday, Stanford’s lead tackler Levani Damuni announced he will put his name in the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, becoming the seventh of eight Cardinal upperclassmen to announce transfer plans in the last week.

It’s a continuation of a startling trend on The Farm, with loosened restrictions and punishments for transferring leading to more player movement after each season. According to 247 Sports, seven players transferred to other schools after the 2021 season, which followed up two players leaving after the 2020 COVID season and 11 players leaving after 2019.

Damuni, a linebacker who was a captain for the Cardinal this season, had 76 total tackles in 12 games, 25 more than the next-closest teammate. The senior also had 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and an interception.

The new 45-day window for football players to enter their name in the transfer portal begins Monday, Dec. 5. The Cardinal will have at least eight players from their 2022 roster put their names in the portal, and it’s possible that number could continue to rise. Players can also elect to not transfer even after putting their names in the portal.

In addition to Damuni, seven other upperclassmen who will graduate from Stanford announced their intent earlier this week to transfer to a new school: tight end Bradley Archer, wide receiver Colby Bowman, defensive lineman Stephen Herron, offensive linemen Jake Hornibrook and Drake Nugent (who announced his decision later Friday), safety Jonathan McGill and punter Ryan Sanborn. Freshman running back Arlen Harris also said he is entering the portal, though he has not been with the team since October.

247 Sports is also reporting that sophomore Jacob Katona will be entering the transfer portal, though he hasn’t made a public announcement yet.

In addition, senior cornerback Kyle Blu Kelly also will not return to Stanford for his final year of eligibility, electing instead to declare for the NFL Draft. Kelly’s departure, the announced graduate transfers and the expiration of eligibility for fifth-year players means the Cardinal may see eight of its 11 defensive starters from the 2022 team depart. Stanford’s defense was 10th in the Pac-12 in points allowed per game (32.2).

The status of starting quarterback Tanner McKee is still up in the air, too. McKee, a 6-foot-6 junior, still has two years of eligibility remaining but has been considered an NFL prospect. He turns 23 on April 27 in 2023, the first night of the NFL Draft, and may elect to go pro now.

The Cardinal also had one of its top commits — Walker Lyons, a four-star tight end out of Folsom High School – re-open his recruitment ahead of the Dec. 21 early signing day.

“With the recent turn of events, I want my Stanford recruiting family and coaches to know how much I’ve appreciated everything they have done for me. It’s been a blessing to know such great people, Coach Shaw specifically is an amazing mentor,” Lyons wrote on Twitter. “While Stanford remains a top choice for me, I am taking a step back to reevaluate and will be postponing my signing until February.”

Stanford’s coaching search remains ongoing, with the Athletic’s Stu Mandel reporting that the Cardinal has spoken to Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman (who coached at Stanford under Jim Harbaugh) for the position. It is unknown who else Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir has talked to as of now.

In a press conference Monday, Muir said he was gathering an internal committee and said they will be “very deliberate in the Stanford fashion.” But with the portal opening on Monday and many players preparing to depart — as well as recruits like Lyons considering other options — Muir and Stanford wouldn’t be faulted for feeling a growing sense of urgency.