The 2023-24 transfer portal cycle is gaining momentum as more than 1,300 college football scholarship players at the FBS level are already represented in the portal. So far, fewer than 200 have announced commitments. The next few weeks of the 30-day winter transfer window will be intense, with a daily flood of new arrivals and signings.
Following the portal can be dizzying. To help you keep track of who's going where and what top transfers are still on the market, The Athletic lists the best players available on the portal.
Transfers are ranked based on their experience, performance, potential, interest they generate and feedback from coaches across the country. This is an ongoing list that we continually update as players make decisions. So make sure you save this list to your bookmarks.
1. DL Walter Nolen, Texas A&M: There was little debate among Power 5 recruiting and personnel staff surveyed by The Athletic that Nolen is the best player in the portal.
The former No. 2 overall recruit from Tennessee was the highest-rated recruit in Texas A&M's historic 2022 recruiting class and has lived up to expectations in his two seasons in College Station, starting 14 games and recording 66 tackles, 33 pressures and 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive lineman has first-round potential and is eligible for two more seasons. It's rare to see players of his caliber available in the portal, but the Aggies' coaching change and the departure of defensive line coach Elijah Robinson to Syracuse prompted Nolen to explore his options. He has Oregon, Ole Miss and many other College Football Playoff contenders vying for the chance to sign him.
2. QB Cameron Ward, Washington State: Ward was one of the best players available in the portal when he left FCS Incarnate Word at the end of the 2021 season. Two years later, he's back on the market and far more valuable to teams in need of an impactful QB. Ward threw for 7,165 yards with 61 total touchdowns and 16 interceptions during his two seasons at Washington State and is No. 4 in the FBS in passing yards per game this season (311.3). The four-year starter could turn pro in the coming weeks, but he could play his way into the early NFL draft pick position next year if he stays in school and picks the right team and scheme. It would be a lot of fun to watch Ward play against a College Football Playoff contender with a strong supporting cast. This recruiting seems to be shaping up to be a bitter battle between Miami and Florida State until Ward decides to take more visits and extend his process.
3. RB Trevor Etienne, Florida: Etienne lived up to the hype and immediately made a difference for the Gators, with 1,710 yards from field and 15 total touchdowns in his first two seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, the younger brother of Jaguars star Travis Etienne Jr. forced 70 missed tackles as a rusher and gained 987 yards after contact. Georgia is reportedly the top candidate for Etienne due to their lack of offense this season. Whether Etienne goes to Athens or elsewhere, he can be as influential as anyone else in this cycle.
4. QB Maalik Murphy, Texas: Murphy is a big guy, standing 6'3″ tall and weighing 250 pounds, with a big arm and a lot of head. The redshirt freshman from California played just 177 snaps in college but caught enough on tape to generate buzz that he can be an impact player. Murphy went 2-0 as the Longhorns' starter this year, helping them win the title and the College Football Playoff while Quinn Ewers was sidelined with an injury. Against BYU and Kansas State, he made some great throws in the passing game for 418 yards and three scores, but also threw three interceptions. Murphy's tremendous potential and three years of playing time left make him extremely intriguing. He'll be someone's starter next year.
5. QB Dante Moore, UCLA: The five-star recruit was a huge recruiting asset for UCLA and appeared to be the Bruins' QB1 for years to come. Moore moved into the starting lineup in Week 2 and made five starts in his debut season, but like many true freshmen, struggled. He threw for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns, but also had nine interceptions (including three pick sixes), three fumbles and 27 sacks.
Moore came on for Ethan Garbers and is now looking for a new home to end his promising career. There are plenty of places he could start next year, but Moore could also choose to join a team like Oregon or Michigan, where he can redshirt behind a veteran starter and prepare to shine in 2025.
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6. WR Antwane Wells Jr., South Carolina: “Juice” Wells transferred from James Madison to South Carolina in 2022 and had an impressive debut season. He ranked second in the SEC in catches (68) and fifth in receiving yards (928) with six touchdowns and four 100-yard performances. Three games into this season, he suffered a foot injury against Georgia and missed the rest of the year. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound graduate can play two more seasons, but is likely to move to the NFL after another big year.
7. CB Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State: The 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior has been one of the SEC's top cornerbacks this season and could turn pro, but he wants to boost his NFL Draft stats by staying in school. According to PFF, Richardson was the third-best starting corner in the SEC with seven pass breakups and just two touchdowns allowed, and also led all corners in the conference with 79 tackles.
8th. DL Princely Umanmielen, Florida: The 6-foot-4 1/2, 255-pound edge defender developed into a two-year starter for the Gators and was one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the SEC PFF this season with 46 pressures, 11.5 TFLs and seven sacks. Umanmielen has one more season of eligibility, and Ole Miss has reportedly emerged as a leading candidate to fulfill his promise.
9. DL LT Overton, Texas A&M: Overton, another five-star recruit from Texas A&M's No. 1 recruiting class in 2022, is in the portal after playing 543 snaps in his first two seasons in College Station. The 6-foot, 280-pound defensive lineman was a rotation player on the Aggies' loaded D-line and is looking for the right role and program following the Aggies' coaching change. South Carolina, Alabama and Florida State are among the many schools in the mix.
10. OL Cayden Green, Oklahoma: This was one of the more surprising transfer portal decisions of the month. Green, a top-100 recruit, started five of the Sooners' last six games as a true freshman and appeared to be a major talent to build around up front. Oregon and Missouri are two schools to keep an eye on in the battle to recruit the talented 6-foot-2, 300-pound guard.
11. WR Matthew Golden, Houston: The four-star recruit stayed home to play for Houston and showed his talent to make a real difference for the Cougars. Golden caught 76 passes for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first two seasons and was also one of the most dangerous kick returners in the country this season, returning two touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore decided to transfer after the coaching change in Houston and is receiving a lot of calls.
12. OLB Trey Moore, UTSA: Moore was a Freshman All-American for the Roadrunners in 2022 and took the next big step this fall by being named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound edge rusher ranked third in the FBS in sacks (14) and eighth in tackles for loss (17.5) this season. Over the last two seasons, he has been credited with a total of 77 pressures per PFF. Moore is eligible for two more seasons and is considering Texas, Alabama and Ohio State, among others.
13. OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M: It's never easy being a starting player as a true freshman in the SEC, and Bisontis struggled quite a bit against that stiff competition in his only season with the Aggies. But the 6-foot, 320-pound lineman, a top-50 recruit out of New Jersey, has the size and skill to be great at tackle or guard and earned Freshman All honors for his efforts -America.” Bisontis has reportedly heard from more than 25 schools since entering the portal and is as sought after as any lineman currently available.
14. S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson: Mukuba immediately moved into the Tigers' starting lineup and became the ACC's 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back developed into a three-year starter, recording 149 tackles and 20 pass breakups. Now the Austin, Texas native is on the move, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to come home and join the Longhorns.
15. RB Jo'Quavious Marks, Mississippi State: “Woody” Marks was one of the most productive backs in the SEC in his four seasons as a starter, amassing 3,108 yards from scrimmage and 27 total touchdowns at 5 yards per touch. He led all SEC backs in receiving yards during his three seasons in Mike Leach's offense and has a chance to increase his draft stock at his next stop. Louisville, Washington and USC are expected to receive his first three visits.
16. WR London Humphreys, Vanderbilt: Humphreys, a three-star recruit from Nashville, showed great speed and potential as a true freshman and is now looking to make a move. The 6-foot, 186-pound wideout caught 22 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns with two 100-yard performances in his debut season and is now expected to end up at Georgia.
17. DL Joey Slackman, Penn: Few FCS players were more popular in the portal than Slackman. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound former wrestler was a first-team All-Ivy selection this season after recording 50 tackles, 12 TFLs and four sacks in nine games. Now the senior is ready to see if he can make the move and is considering Florida, Wisconsin, Auburn, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
18. DL Tyler Baron, Tennessee: The 6-foot, 260-pound senior from Knoxville has been a productive edge rusher for the Vols for three years and is coming off his best season to date with 28 tackles, 41 pressures, 10.5 TFLs and six sacks. Baron has one season of eligibility remaining and is exploring his options with several SEC schools pursuing him.
19. QB Will Howard, Kansas State: Howard led K-State to a Big 12 championship in 2022 and made 34 career starts in his four seasons in Manhattan. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior ranked third in total offense in the Big 12 this season, totaling 6,702 yards and 67 touchdowns with 31 turnovers over the course of his career. Howard's combination of experience and dual-threat ability has made him one of the most popular QBs in the portal and he has attended USC and Miami so far.
20. QB Will Rogers, Mississippi State: Rogers, a 40-game starter for the Bulldogs, had a very productive run at the helm of Mike Leach's Air Raid attack and has caught more than 12,000 passes in his career, with 96 total touchdowns and 37 turnovers. The SEC's passing leader in 2021 and 2022 has had a tougher time this season as he dealt with a coaching change and a left shoulder injury that forced him to miss four games. He wants to play his final season of eligibility elsewhere, and Washington has emerged as the leading candidate. As the experienced successor to Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr., Rogers could be an ideal fit for Kalen DeBoer's passing attack.
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21. TE Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford: Yurosek proved to be one of the top tight ends in the Pac-12, continuing the Cardinal tradition of excellence at the position. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior has caught 108 passes for 1,342 yards and five touchdowns over the past three years. That puts him in elite company with only three FBS tight ends who have more receiving yards during that span: Georgia's Brock Bowers, Notre Dame's Michael Mayer and Utah's Dalton Kincaid. The All-Pac-12 player will have plenty of options heading into his final season of eligibility.
22. CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky: Stout is undersized at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but the coaches love his style of play and what he put on tape at Western Kentucky. After spending two seasons at North Texas, he joined the Hilltoppers and developed into a two-year starter, recording 73 tackles, five interceptions (including two pick sixes), 10 pass breakups, and only two touchdowns over 520 snaps in the Coverage allowed PFF. Michigan and USC have invited Stout to visit, and the Wolverines are reportedly the frontrunner.
23. DB Akili Arnold, Oregon State: The 5-foot-11, 200-pound safety will enter the sixth grade in 2024 and has 48 games of experience. Arnold is coming off his best season to date with 60 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions and was ranked as the third-best starting safety in the Pac-12 according to PFF. He and his brother, All-Pac-12 linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, are both in the portal and would be valuable veteran pickups.
24. WR Colbie Young, Miami: There are many productive wideouts in the transfer portal, but Young is at the top of some teams' lists thanks to his incredible size and skill at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. After moving from the junior college ranks, he played two seasons at Miami, catching 79 passes for 939 yards and 10 touchdowns. Since entering the portal, he has attracted a lot of interest from the SEC.
25. OLB Marvin Jones Jr., Georgia: Jones, a five-star Class of 2022 recruit from Florida, played 237 snaps as a rotation player for the Bulldogs in his second season and made his first career start in the SEC title game. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound edge defender recorded 12 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble in his limited action and is poised for a more significant role. Florida State immediately emerged as the team to watch in this recruiting effort.
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