With less than a month until WKU Football’s season opener versus Sam Houston, its last transfer player of the summer portal officially signed as a Hilltopper.
With everything in place, practices with the full roster can begin, giving the Hilltopper coaches time to evaluate following the loss of key players through the portal and graduation. The departures of starting quarterbacks T.J. Finley and Caden Veltkamp, as well as wide receiver Easton Messer, offensive tackle Darrell Johnson and edge rusher Marcus Patterson, left significant holes in the roster.
The Herald reported on the first wave of transfers in January, such as incoming transfer quarterback Maverick McIvor. Listed below are the players who have arrived during the spring transfer portal window, first reported by On3 and then verified by WKU Football’s roster.
Al-Ma’hi Ali, Defensive Back
A defensive back and Philadelphia native, Ali spent his last two seasons with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 18 games, he recorded 73 tackles, a tackle for loss, 11 passes defended, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He started all 12 games in the 2024-25 season for the 49ers. Ali spent his freshman year at Saint Francis, where he recorded 38 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack, five pass breakups, two interceptions and two blocked kicks.
Quincy Jenkins, Defensive Lineman
Jenkins, a James Madison transfer, played in four games before coming to the Hill. Before his time as a Duke, he spent four seasons at Campbell University, where he started 24 of 29 games. The Camels ranked fourth nationally in completion percentage offensively and 12th in third-down conversions in 2023.
Jaden McGill, Running Back
McGill played 14 games for Tennessee State last year, recording 628 yards on 133 rush attempts and three touchdowns, tallying 78 yards receiving on 12 catches. McGill spent his first two collegiate seasons at College of DuPage, where he earned First Team All-American honors and was named the NJCAA Division III Offensive Player of the Year.
Zach Smith, Linebacker
The redshirt freshman linebacker was part of an SMU team that made the College Football Playoff in 2024. Smith played one game for the Mustangs. He was a three-star recruit out of high school, according to ESPN.
Quincy Burroughs, Wide Receiver
Burroughs began his collegiate career at Cincinnati, but did not see the field. He continued his career at Wisconsin, where he would spend his next two seasons. He played 22 games at wide receiver and on special teams. In 2024, he played nine games, recording one catch for 13 yards and two tackles. In 2023, he played in all 13 games for the Badgers, catching four passes for 30 yards.
Robby Harrison, Linebacker
Harrison spent his last two seasons at Indiana University, where he played 10 games for a team that made the playoffs in the 2024-25 season. He played six games in 2024, recording one fumble recovery. Before becoming a Hoosier, he started at Arizona as a true freshman, where he played three games.
Jaavan Mack, Defensive Back
Following his fellow former 49er defensive back, Ali, Mack transferred to WKU after playing his 2024-25 season in Charlotte. He recorded one tackle in five career games. Before his time as a 49er, he played at Georgia Military College in 2023 and Erskine College for the 2021 season.
Jaylen Wester, Linebacker
Wester started his collegiate career in Conference USA, playing two seasons at FAU, a former CUSA program. He recorded 58 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup up and an interception in 2022, then followed that up with 55 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2023. Wester left for Colorado University, playing 11 games for Deion Sanders’ team, recording 15 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
Isaiah Myers, Wide Receiver
Myers jumped ship twice this offseason, first leaving Charlotte for Purdue and then leaving for WKU. In 2023 with the 49ers, Myers appeared in all 12 games, grabbing 13 catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Independence Community College, catching 40 passes for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned First Team NJCAA All-American Honors.
