Four Iowa football players enter transfer portal, including quarterback Joe Labas
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Monday marked the start of a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and it figures to be a busy month with players coming and going to and from different schools.
Four members of the Iowa football team already have entered the portal with latest being sophomore quarterback Joe Labas, who announced his decision to transfer on Tuesday. The others are defensive back Brenden Deasfernandes, defensive lineman Anterio Thompson and receiver Diante Vines.
Labas hasn’t played in a game this season and has two seasons of eligibility.
The Ohio native helped to lead Iowa to a 21-0 victory over Kentucky in the 2022 Music City Bowl when previous starter Spencer Petras was injured.
“Having the opportunity to play quarterback for the University of Iowa and to be mentored by coach Ferentz and his staff is something I will always be thankful for,” Labas posted on X, which was formerly known as Twitter. “My time spent with my teammates and this community has shaped me into the man and player I am today.”
Vines, who joined the program in 2020, has played in 10 games this season and the Connecticut native finished the regular season with 12 catches for 134 yards and one touchdown.
Vines also reached out to Iowa fans on X to express his thanks for the chance to be a Hawkeye.
“Thank you Iowa nation! It was a blessing to be able to wear that black and gold for so many years!” Vines posted. “Forever a hawk and forever thankful for my journey at Iowa.”
Deasfernandes and Thompson have played mostly only special teams this season with Thompson, who is from Dubuque, having blocked two punts.
There is also a spring window from April 15-30. These windows restrict when an athlete’s name can be entered into the portal, not when they actually transfer to a different school.
Iowa (10-3) will face Tennessee (8-4) in the 2024 Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day in Orlando, Florida.
Both teams could have more players enter the portal before the game is played.