Since the end of the regular college football season on Nov. 26, more than 2,000 players have entered the transfer portal, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. The portal officially opens for all players this week, and it includes a diverse range of athletes, from top-tier quarterbacks like Cameron Ward of Washington State to standout small-school players like 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman Alan Herron from Shorter. As the portal continues to fill up, there are already some notable and potentially impactful transfers.
To provide insights into this dynamic landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the top players in the transfer portal based on factors such as past production, interest from major programs, and their potential to make an instant impact on a new team. Currently, the rankings extend to 75 players, but they will be continually adjusted as new entrants join the portal. Additionally, we will provide detailed notes on each transfer, highlighting what they bring to their new program as commitments are made.
As the college football transfer portal remains a central focus for player movement and team dynamics, these rankings aim to shed light on the players who could shape the landscape of the upcoming season with their talent and contributions. Stay tuned for updates as the portal continues to evolve and more players make their decisions on new destinations.
Top college football players in the transfer portal:
1. Walter Nolen, DL
Former School: Texas A&M
Key Stats: 6-4, 290 lbs, Sophomore, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks in 2023
Background: Former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class, versatile defensive tackle with interest from top programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and potentially Ole Miss.
2. Evan Stewart, WR
Former School: Texas A&M
Key Stats: 6-0, 175 lbs, Sophomore, Team-leading receiving touchdowns
Background: Highly sought-after five-star recruit, chose Texas A&M over notable schools, productive receiver with two years of eligibility and multiple options.
3. Malachi Nelson, QB
Former School: USC
Key Stats: 6-3, 190 lbs, Freshman, 2022 Gatorade player of the year
Background: No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 class, originally committed to Oklahoma, transferring after Lincoln Riley’s move to USC, with significant interest expected from major programs.
4. Dillon Gabriel, QB
Transferring to: Oregon | Transferring from: Oklahoma
Key Stats: 5-11, 204 lbs, Senior, 55 TD passes at Oklahoma
Background: An experienced quarterback transferring from Oklahoma to Oregon, known for high QBR, fits well into Oregon’s offensive system.
5. Cameron Ward, QB
Former School: Washington State
Key Stats: 6-2, 223 lbs, Junior, 3,732 passing yards, 25 TDs in 2023
Background: Transferred from Incarnate Word, All-Pac-12 honorable mention, considering NFL draft or transferring to another program.
6. Riley Leonard, QB
Transferring to: Notre Dame | Transferring from: Duke
Key Stats: 6-4, 212 lbs, Junior, 2,967 passing yards, 20 TDs in 2022
Background: A productive quarterback transferring from Duke to Notre Dame, valuable option for the Irish and is expected to mentor younger quarterbacks.
7. Dante Moore, QB
Transferring to: Oregon | Transferring from: UCLA
Key Stats: 6-3, 210 lbs, Freshman, 1,610 passing yards, 11 TDs in 2023
Background: Five-star recruit, originally committed to Oregon, transferred to UCLA, now returning to Oregon, likely to sit behind Dillon Gabriel for a season.
8. Will Howard, QB
Former School: Kansas State
Key Stats: 6-5, 242 lbs, Senior, 2,643 passing yards, 24 TDs in 2023
Background: Experienced quarterback with a dual-threat aspect, improving completion percentage each season, transferring from Kansas State.
9. Princely Umanmielen, DE
Transferring to: Ole Miss | Transferring from: Florida
Key Stats: 6-5, 255 lbs, Junior, 11.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks in 2023
Background: impactful defensive end transferring from Florida to Ole Miss, known for making big plays in the SEC.
10. Joey Slackman, DT
Transferring to: Florida Transferring from: Pennsylvania
Key Stats: 6-4, 300 lbs, Senior, 50 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss in 2023
Background: A versatile defensive tackle transferring from Pennsylvania to Florida brings immediate help to the Gators’ defense.
