The spring NCAA transfer portal for college football doesn’t open until Wednesday, but Western Kentucky’s roster is already feeling the effects of the latest window for players to move.

Four players who took part in WKU’s spring practice period, and a fifth is reportedly also set to enter the transfer portal this week.

Redshirt junior defensive back Marvelous Owens, redshirt sophomore linebacker Reginald Allen Jr., redshirt junior defensive lineman Al Sandifer and redshirt freshman wide receiver Dallen Ponder announced their intention to enter the portal on their social media accounts, while redshirt junior linebacker Trent Zappe is also set to enter the portal according to Chris Hummer of 247sports.com.

Hummer also reports that the Hilltoppers have landed a pair of commitments – former Arkansas wide receiver Samuel Mbake and former Old Dominion cornerback Markus Knight.

More changes are likely for WKU in what will be a fluid time for the roster until the portal closes April 26.

Allen, a 6-foot, 221-pound native of Interlachan, Florida, did not see any playing time this past season. In 2023, Allen was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team after appearing in eight games and tallying one tackle.

Owens, a 5-11, 194-pound native of Chico, California, played in four games this past season for the Hilltoppers and tallied one tackle. It was his first year at WKU after transferring from Butte Community College.

Sandifer, a 6-0, 267-pound native of Greenwood, Mississippi, did not accumulate any statistics this past season for the Tops. He joined the program before the 2024 season as a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Ponder, a 5-9, 178-pound native of Ocala, Florida, did not accumulate any statistics this past season for WKU.

Zappe, the brother of former WKU standout and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Bailey Zappe, is a 6-0, 224-pound native of Victoria, Texas. Zappe appeared in six games for the Tops this past season but did not record any statistics.

Mbake, a 6-3, 205-pound native of Kennesaw, Georgia, started his college career at Arkansas and appeared in nine games – mostly on special teams – as a true freshman in 2023. Mbake spent this past season at Kilgore Junior College, where he tallied 17 catches for 233 yards and a touchdown in 10 games. Mbake also had a rushing touchdown at Kilgore.

Out of high school, Mbake was rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports and a three-star prospect according to Rivals and ESPN. He was listed as the No. 45 wide receiver nationally and the No. 28 overall prospect in the state of Georgia by 247Sports.

Knight, who played this past season at ODU as a redshirt junior, is a 6-0, 181-pound native of Tallahassee, Florida. Knight spent two seasons with the Monarchs and faces WKU in the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl, where he tallied a career-high four tackles and had a 25-yard fumble recovery return. He appeared in 11 games at safety and on special teams in 2023, tallying 10 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.

This past season at ODU, Knight played in all 12 games with one start. He finished with 25 tackles, one interception – with a 52-yard return against Texas State – and two pass breakups.