South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez will enter the NCAA transfer portal, AL.com has confirmed via a source.
Lopez, a redshirt sophomore from Madison, started 11 of 13 games for the Jaguars in 2024. He passed for 3,022 yards and 18 touchdowns with just five interceptions while also rushing for 463 yards and seven scores.
Lopez publicly announced in December he was staying at South Alabama, but opted to leave the Jaguars following spring practice. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Lopez’s departure leaves South Alabama with two scholarship quarterbacks, junior Bishop Davenport and redshirt freshman Jared Hollins. In addition, 26-year-old Bubba Thompson joined the program as a walk-on prior to the spring following eight seasons playing professional baseball.
Davenport started three games (and played in 11) for South Alabama in 2024 while Lopez was dealing with a variety of injuries, passing for 606 yards and three touchdowns with one interception while rushing for 167 and one TD. The Texas native was Most Valuable Player of the Jaguars’ 30-23 victory over Western Michigan in the Salute to Veterans Bowl, passing for 271 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 85 and another TD.
The transfer portal opens for 10 days beginning Wednesday. Players may enter the portal at any time prior to April 26, but are not required to choose a destination during that window.
South Alabama finished spring practice this past Saturday. The Jaguars went 7-6 in 2024, its third consecutive winning season.
