Batavia’s Jordan Buckley Enters Transfer Portal Amid Changes

UPDATE: Batavia’s standout player, Jordan Buckley, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, joining a wave of college football athletes seeking new opportunities. The announcement comes as he and his Western Michigan teammates gear up for the upcoming Myrtle Beach Bowl, scheduled for December 20, 2023.

The decision is part of a broader trend in college football, where players are making critical choices about their futures as the transfer portal opens for a brief window in January. Buckley, who just wrapped up his redshirt freshman season, expressed uncertainty about his place in the program, stating, “I love the coaching at Western Michigan and I love the program, but I feel with the depth at my position, I could find a better shot somewhere else.”

Buckley is among at least three players from the Batavia area taking the plunge into the portal, with a deadline of January 16, 2024 to finalize their new school commitments. Ethan Hampton, a backup quarterback from Aurora Christian, also announced his entry into the portal, marking his second consecutive year of exploring transfer options. Additionally, Tyler Sapit, another Batavia graduate and former teammate, is making a move after an impressive season at NCAA Division II Bemidji State.

Reflecting on his recruiting journey, Buckley noted, “The process is going well — it feels like high school again.” As he navigates this pivotal moment, he is in discussions with several schools and aims to make a decision soon, especially with many institutions starting their new semester on January 8, 2024.

Adding complexity to his situation is his brother, Jalen Buckley, a redshirt junior running back at Western Michigan. Jalen had a stellar season, surpassing 1,000 yards rushing for the second time in his career and earning accolades as the offensive player of the game in the MAC championship. Jordan said, “He left the decision up to me. We’re usually talking football, but he’s been a brother for me no matter what, encouraging me to work hard.”

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, Jordan has trained as both a defensive tackle and defensive end during his time in Kalamazoo. He is particularly focused on the end position, having transitioned there last spring. “I’m confident I can play in a phone booth, which is how one of my coaches describes playing tackle,” he said, highlighting his adaptability and readiness for the next challenge.

Sapit, who redshirted in 2022 and used a medical redshirt due to a knee injury in 2023, has made significant strides, earning first-team all-conference honors and setting a program record with 26 tackles for loss. Initially hesitant to transfer, he started posting film to gauge interest, which led to a surge of offers.

Meanwhile, Hampton, who previously led Northern Illinois to a stunning upset over Notre Dame, saw limited action for the Illini this past season. He tweeted, “Illinois is and always will be home. I couldn’t be more grateful for coach (Bret) Bielema for giving me the opportunity to play for a Big Ten school in my home state.”

As the transfer portal drama unfolds, Buckley’s journey is emblematic of a shifting landscape in college athletics, where players are increasingly taking control of their destinies. With critical decisions looming, fans and fellow athletes alike are closely watching how these young talents will shape their futures in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for further updates as these stories develop and athletes finalize their next moves.