Syracuse football shows an interest in portal's top available OT, 4-star Joe Cotton

The spring transfer portal window opened on April 16, running until April 25, and South Dakota four-star offensive tackle Joe Cotton has heard from a flood of college squads, including Syracuse football.

That's according to a post on X from top national writers Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz of 247Sports and CBS Sports. The Orange staff has reached out to the 6-foot-7, 315-pound Cotton, an elite transfer prospect, along with schools such as Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia Tech, California, Louisville, Penn State, Southern California and Michigan, among many others.

Hummer and Zenitz noted in their X post that Cotton, who hails from Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a redshirt junior, has set visits to Big 12 Conference member Cincinnati and Wisconsin out of the Big Ten Conference.

In the 2024 season, South Dakota, which operates out of the Missouri Valley Football Conference as a member of the Football Championship Subdivision ("FCS"), went 11-3 overall.

Syracuse football has reportedly contacted a stellar transfer offensive lineman.

Hummer and Zenitz describe Cotton as the transfer portal's "top available OT," so it's understandable that he's garnering interest from an abundance of high-major programs.

When I wrote this article on Wednesday, in national transfer rankings, 247Sports placed Cotton as four stars, No. 113 overall and No. 16 at offensive tackle.

In a recent piece, Rivals.com national analyst Adam Friedman wrote in part about Cotton: "Top 25 programs from coast to coast have been making inquiries and trying to get his attention. Cotton graded out on Pro Football Focus as one of the best offensive linemen over the last two seasons and it's expected he'll use both of his remaining seasons of eligibility before making the jump to the pros. ... He is going to make the fanbase of one top 25 program very happy."

Mike McAllister, a top analyst with 247Sports, noted following the Orange's recent spring game that the team's offensive line needs work. "If the offensive line can catch up to the defense's level of play, Syracuse could be a dangerous team this season," he wrote in part.

Friedman, in a separate recent story, discussed the biggest needs for Atlantic Coast Conference teams during the current spring transfer portal window. He said of the 'Cuse, "Look for Syracuse to really pick their spots this spring. The Orange will still add a couple transfers but don’t expect a massive influx of roster additions. Offensive and defensive linemen in addition to defensive backs and receivers are likely where Syracuse will focus their efforts."