They simply recruited over him. Signed Matthew Lee, starting PG from St Peters Peacocks, Alston Mason transfering in from Oklahoma, as well as Damien Mayo out of Chaminade/Link.
In the era of the portal Dana Ford has taken the approach of stockpiling as much talent as possible. In mid major basketball it no longer makes sense to build for the future. Win now because regardless of who you have there is no guarantee that kids will stay.
The portal has opened the door to all sorts of transfering since you are no longer required to sit out a season. I imagine you will see him transfer down, not up. Might join several former teammates at Northwestern State where former Bears assistant Corey Gipson is now the HC.