2023-24 college football transfer portal tracker: Former USC five-star leaves for Alabama

Transfer season is upon us in college football.

The transfer portal window officially opened on Dec. 4.

Which players are on the move this offseason? Let’s take a look at the stars and standouts who are testing the waters and transferring.

Dec. 28

Former USC CB Domani Jackson to Alabama

Jackson was the top recruit in California and a consensus top-five overall recruit in the country in 2022, when the Trojans narrowly beat out Alabama for his commitment. Now, Jackson will be taking his services to the Crimson Tide after all, committing shortly after visiting Alabama’s coaching staff, including Nick Saban, at the team’s Thursday practice for Monday’s Rose Bowl versus Michigan.

Jackson struggled mightily in 2023, his first year as a starter, as part of an infamously porous USC defense that led to the departures of coordinator Alex Grinch and two other defensive assistant coaches — including Donte Williams, the cornerbacks coach who recruited Jackson to USC. Williams left the Trojans for the same role at Alabama’s SEC rival Georgia.

Dec. 27 

Missouri QB Jake Garcia

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound 22-year-old has three years of eligibility remaining after failing to appear for the Tigers this past season. He spent his first two years at the University of Miami, where he passed for 950 yards and seven TDs for the Hurricanes, making just one start. Garica was a consensus four-star prospect out of high school and was selected to the Under Armour All-America Game. 

Dec. 25

Former Florida State linebacker DJ Lundy to Colorado

Deion Sanders continues adding to a loaded transfer class by poaching a top defender from the team he starred on in his college days, reportedly convincing Lundy to transfer to the Buffaloes after the redshirt junior was a major force in the loaded 2023 Seminoles defense. Lundy played in all 13 of Florida State’s games in 2023 and was third on the team with 54 total tackles. He also had six tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Arizona QB Jayden De Laura

De Laura is an accomplished quarterback with starting experience at Arizona and Washington State, but lost the Wildcats’ starting job last year to redshirt freshman Noah Fifita. De Laura had a 69.5% completion percentage with 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns across seven games in 2023, along with 21 rushing attempts for 121 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Florida State QB Tate Rodemaker

Rodemaker was in line to start for the Seminoles in the Orange Bowl against Georgia, but will instead enter the transfer portal, per FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman. Rodemaker joins several other would-be starters for Mike Norvell’s squad in skipping the game after Florida State was controversially left out of the College Football Playoff field despite being undefeated ACC champions. 

The redshirt junior has two seasons of eligibility remaining. He went 32-for-56 for 510 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, the majority of which came in Florida State’s final two regular season games against North Alabama and Florida after starting quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending leg injury early in the first game. Freshman Brock Glenn, who started Florida State’s ACC title game win over Louisville, is now in line to start again versus the two-time defending national champions.

Former Georgia CB Nyland Green to Purdue

Green played in all 13 of the Bulldogs’ games this past season, but primarily on special teams. However, the former five-star prospect can expect to see a bigger role under head coach Ryan Walters and defensive coordinator Kevin Kane in West Lafayette.

Dec. 24

Former Florida RB Trevor Etienne to Georgia

Trevor Etienne, brother of Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, announced Sunday he is staying in the SEC by transferring to Georgia. Etienne spent the past two seasons at Florida, splitting carries with Montrell Johnson Jr. Etienne rushed for 753 yards and led the Gators with eight rushing touchdowns this season. He has two years of eligibility remaining. 

Former Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen to Ole Miss

Walter Nolen, the No. 1 player in the portal, has committed to the Rebels over Oregon. He posted 66 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, over the past two seasons for the Aggies. Nolen, who has two years of eligibility remaining, is the latest addition to a stacked transfer class for Ole Miss. 

Dec. 22

Former Texas QB Maalik Murphy to Duke

Duke is getting a young quarterback in Maalik Murphy, who verbally committed to the Blue Devils on Friday, according to ESPN. Murphy is the first quarterback of the Manny Diaz era at Duke and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Dec. 21

Former UCLA S Kamari Ramsey to USC

The Trojans have lured Ramsey away from the cross-town rival Bruins and landed the No. 2 safety in the transfer portal. The redshirt freshman finished the 2023 season with 40 tackles. Ramsey made visits to USC as well as Washington and Ohio State in the span of a week, as several top programs made a push to land him. He will join back up with a familiar face in D’Anton Lynn, USC’s new defensive coordinator, who coached Ramsey in Westwood.

Former UCLA DB John Humphrey to USC

USC also snagged Humphrey from the transfer portal on Thursday, adding the senior DB to its defense under D’Anton Lynn, Humphrey’s former DC at UCLA. Humphrey notched 31 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in the 2023 season.

Dec. 20

Former Georgia LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson to Kentucky

Dumas-Johnson made a big impact on the 2023 team that fell one game short of a third straight College Football Playoff berth, recording 34 total tackles despite missing four games due to injury. He was one of the top overall available players in the portal and is now expected to provide a big boost to Mark Stoops’ defense in Lexington.

Former Kansas State S Kobe Savage to Oregon

As Dan Lanning puts the finishing touches on another top-10 recruiting class with the Ducks, he picked up a major transfer commitment Wednesday from Savage, who was an All-Big 12 selection in both 2022 and 2023, putting up 115 total tackles and six interceptions in that period.

Former Notre Dame WR Tobias Merriweather to Cal

Merriweather, a four-star prospect in the class of 2022, had 14 catches for 284 yards and two TDs in 2023. He will provide a big boost to head coach Justin Wilcox and new offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch.

Former Mississippi State RB Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks to USC

Marks spent the past four seasons starring at Mississippi State, the first three of which came under late head coach Mike Leach before his death in Dec. 2022. Now, Marks will spend his final season of eligibility as the likely No. 1 running back for one of Leach’s most high-profile proteges in Lincoln Riley. In 45 collegiate games, Marks has 410 carries for 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 214 catches for 1,225 receiving yards and five more scores. 

Dec. 19 

Former Pitt EDGE Samuel Okunlola to Colorado

While Colorado’s offensive line bore the brunt of the blame for the Buffaloes’ 1-8 finish to their first season under Deion Sanders, its defensive line struggled as well. “Coach Prime” has worked hard to shore up that side of the trenches in the portal as well, and Okunlola — 247Sports’ No. 34 overall transfer prospect — joins edge rushers Anquin Barnes from Alabama and Keaten Wade from Kentucky, and tackle Quency Wiggins from LSU as new additions to Colorado’s defensive front. 

Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart

Another member of the Aggies’ famed 2022 recruiting class, Stewart lived up to his five-star billing in his two years at College Station. Despite issues at the quarterback position throughout his time there, Stewart was a consensus Freshman All-American in 2022 and had 38 catches for 514 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He has immediately become one of the top players in the portal.

USC EDGE Korey Foreman

Foreman was a consensus five-star and one of the highest-rated players in the country in 2021, but he never quite found his footing with the Trojans, playing sparingly in his two years in now-former coordinator Alex Grinch’s defense. Despite a lackluster college career so far (25 total tackles in 26 games), he is expected to draw interest from top programs due to his talent. Foreman will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Former Vanderbilt WR London Humphreys to Georgia

A breakout star in the 2023 Commodores’ offense, Humphreys fills an immediate need at receiver for head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Humphreys had 22 catches for 439 yards and four touchdowns last season and was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team.

Former Texas A&M DT LT Overton to Alabama

Overton, a former five-star, was another of the many prized Aggie recruits in the vaunted 2022 class who have since entered the portal. He is ranked No. 17 among current portal entrants by 247Sports and had 17 tackles last season.

Former Oklahoma OL Cayden Green to Missouri

The consensus top offensive lineman in the current portal, Green will head to Eli Drinkwitz’s program in the SEC as Missouri looks to build upon its incredibly successful 2023 campaign.

Dec. 18

Former UCLA QB Dante Moore to Oregon

The former five-star and consensus top-five overall 2023 prospect is set to transfer to Oregon, which is where he had initially committed as a recruit before a late flip to the Bruins one year ago. Moore cited wanting to go somewhere to get developed as the main reason for his departure from Westwood after just one season. 

Moore earned the Bruins’ starting QB job after playing in a rotation in UCLA’s season opener and started five games, but he was benched following an Oct. 14 loss at Oregon State in favor of junior backup Ethan Garbers. Moore then entered in relief of an injured Garbers late in a Nov. 4 loss to Arizona but exited with an injury of his own after one series. Moore again entered in relief after Garbers suffered another injury in the first quarter of the Bruins’ regular-season finale against Cal, but struggled mightily in a 33-7 drubbing at the hands of the Golden Bears. 

He completed 53.5% of his passes for 1,610 yards, 11 TDs and nine INTs in his true freshman season. Moore is slated to back up fellow transfer Dillon Gabriel next season then would be in line to take over after Gabriel’s eligibility is exhausted next year.

Former Georgia EDGE Marvin Jones Jr. to Florida State

Jones, one of the highest-rated pass rushers in the portal, had 12 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and one sack in 12 games last season. He will now suit up for the vaunted Seminoles defense, switching sides in this year’s Orange Bowl matchup.

Former Indiana OL Matthew Bedford to Oregon

Bedford, a starter last season with the Hoosiers, had initially committed to Colorado as part of Deion Sanders’ offensive line rebuild there, but flipped his commitment to Oregon on Monday. Bedford said the Ducks will be his “final commitment.”

Former Oregon State TE Jack Velling to Michigan State

Velling becomes the latest former Beaver to follow Jonathan Smith to East Lansing, where he will also rejoin quarterback Aidan Chiles. Velling was rated a four-star in the portal and had 29 catches for 438 yards and eight touchdowns.

Former Clemson S Andrew Mukuba to Texas

As the Longhorns gear up for their College Football Playoff debut, they’ve added a big piece to next year’s secondary in Mukuba. The safety has started the majority of Clemson’s games in each of his first three collegiate seasons, and had 47 total tackles with a team-high seven passes defensed in 2023. It’s a homecoming for Mukuba, an Austin, Texas native with one year of eligibility left who was ranked as a top-15 player overall in the portal, per 247Sports.

TCU QB Chandler Morris

Morris got his first full opportunity as the Horned Frogs’ starter in 2023 following Max Duggan’s departure for the NFL. Morris had a 65.5% completion rate for 1,532 yards for 12 touchdowns and five interceptions last season and has two years of eligibility left.

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson

Jefferson has one year of eligibility remaining. He started 38 games as a Razorback, and completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,107 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2023. His entry into the portal was expected when former Boise State QB Taylen Green transferred to the Razorbacks.

Dec. 17

USC QB Malachi Nelson

Nelson is planning to enter the transfer portal, per 247Sports. He was a consensus top-15 2023 recruit and was even ranked higher by some outlets than now-Texas quarterback Arch Manning. He had been committed to Lincoln Riley since before his junior season at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High School, flipping his commitment from Oklahoma to nearby USC the day after Riley left the Sooners for the Trojans in November 2021. 

Nelson only saw action in USC’s season opener versus San Jose State, going 1-for-3 with zero passing yards. He served as the third-string quarterback in his freshman year behind 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and 2023 Holiday Bowl starter Miller Moss. Nelson, who had 25 Division I offers coming out of high school, will instantly become one of the top quarterbacks available in the portal.

As for the Trojans, it’s been widely reported that they are seeking a veteran quarterback in the transfer portal and have been heavily connected to ex-Kansas State signal-caller Will Howard. Now, Riley might be looking for multiple quarterbacks.

Former LSU DL Quency Wiggins to Colorado

After the hype of a 3-0 start faded to a 1-8 finish in Deion Sanders’ first season in Boulder, Coach Prime has gone to work addressing his team’s greatest needs in the portal. The Buffaloes have loaded up in the trenches on both sides of the ball, highlighted by the addition of Wiggins, who played sparingly in his first two seasons in Baton Rouge (seven total tackles in nine games) but was the top-ranked recruit in the state of Louisiana in 2022. Wiggins joins edge rushers Anquin Barnes from Alabama and Keaten Wade from Kentucky as new additions to Colorado’s defensive front. 

On the offensive line, which was much-maligned as quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the most-sacked signal-caller in the FBS last season, the Buffaloes have added four-star Tyler Johnson from Houston and three-stars Yakiri Walker from UConn, Justin Mayers from UTEP and Kahlil Benson from Indiana. (Deion Sanders also secured a commitment from five-star high school offensive line prospect Jordan Seaton earlier this month.) 

Coach Prime has also fortified Colorado’s skill position players in the portal, with commitments from top Liberty safety Preston Hodge, four-star Vanderbilt wide receiver Will Sheppard and fellow wideouts Terrell Timmons Jr. from N.C. State and Cordale Russell from TCU, as well as four-star tight end Chamon Metayer from Cincinnati. Deion Sanders has even restocked the Buffaloes’ quarterback room behind Shedeur, adding Walter Taylor from Vanderbilt and Destin Wade from Kentucky.

Former South Carolina WR Antwane “Juice” Wells to Ole Miss

Wells, the No. 2-ranked wide receiver and No. 13 overall player in the portal by 247Sports, is the latest in an impressive group of blue-chip transfers to commit to joining Lane Kiffin in Oxford. Ole Miss also holds transfer commitments from edge rushers Princely Umanmielen from Florida and Tyler Baron from Tennessee, the No. 9 and No. 10 portal prospects, according to 247Sports. 

Additionally, defensive lineman Walter Nolen — the consensus top overall player in the portal and the crown jewel of Texas A&M’s famed 2022 recruiting class — reportedly had a positive visit to Ole Miss this past weekend as buzz around a possible commitment there grows.

Wells missed most of 2023 due to a foot injury but was one of the SEC’s top receivers in 2022 with 68 catches for 928 yards and six touchdowns.

Former Ohio State QB Kyle McCord to Syracuse

Two weeks after entering the portal, McCord will transfer to Syracuse, ESPN reported. Ohio State went 11-1 with McCord as the Buckeyes’ starter, but lost to archival Michigan for the third straight year. McCord totaled 3,170 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and a 161.6 passer rating while completing 65.8% of his passes in his junior season, his first as a starter. He has one year of eligibility left.

Former Texas A&M TE Jake Johnson to North Carolina

Johnson follows his older brother, QB Max Johnson, in transferring from the Aggies to the Tar Heels. The younger Johnson is a former four-star recruit who had 235 receiving yards and four TDs in 2023.

Dec. 16

Former Houston WR Matthew Golden to Texas

Whoever starts at quarterback for Texas in 2024, either Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning, will have another star target to throw to in Golden, who caught 76 passes for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons in Houston. Golden will help reload a Longhorns wide receiver room that will likely lose top contributors Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell to the NFL after the end of their College Football Playoff run.

Former USC RB/WR Raleek Brown to Arizona State

A dynamic athlete who can play both running back and slot receiver, Brown spent the past two seasons at USC after signing there as a four-star recruit in the class of 2022. He redshirted in 2023 after the Trojans moved him to be a full-time wide receiver, but aims to play both running back and in the slot at ASU, providing a small, lightning-quick complement to bruising Sun Devils RB1 Cam Skattebo. In 2022, his true freshman season, Brown had 42 rushing attempts for 227 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 16 catches for 175 yards and another three scores.

Dec. 15

Georgia CB A.J. Harris and Nyland Green

While Kirby Smart always has an abundance of talent in Athens, especially on the defensive side of the ball, the duo’s departure is still a blow. Harris and Green were reserves expected to play bigger roles on the Dawgs in the coming seasons; Harris had eight tackles in seven games while Green played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams. He had seven tackles and one pass defensed last season.

Former Michigan State WR Tyrell Henry to Wisconsin

The former Spartan provides a boost to the pass-catching unit that will team with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, a fellow incoming transfer to Luke Fickell’s program, in 2024. Henry has 24 catches for 195 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Former Notre Dame WR Rico Flores to UCLA

After struggling with a wildly inconsistent offense in 2023, Chip Kelly’s Bruins got a major boost with Flores as they gear up to enter the Big Ten. Flores was second on the Fighting Irish last season with 27 catches for 392 yards and a touchdown and now returns to his native California to give quarterback Ethan Garbers a reliable target.

USC WR Mario Williams

The former Trojans wide receiver entered the transfer portal Friday, ESPN reported. This past season, the 5-foot-9 junior totaled 29 receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns for USC, where he spent the previous two seasons. Williams’ collegiate career began at Oklahoma in 2021, where he signed as a five-star recruit in that year’s class. Williams was one of two players, along with quarterback Caleb Williams (no relation), who followed head coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to USC after the 2021 season.

Dec. 14

Former Oregon State QB Aidan Chiles to Michigan State

The former Oregon State QB made good on reports from when he initially entered the portal that he would follow head coach Jonathan Smith to his new home in East Lansing. Chiles was a four-star recruit and ranked as one of the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2023 — and the sixth-highest ranked signee in Beavers history, per 247Sports, which also had him ranked as the No. 2 overall player and top quarterback in this year’s transfer portal. He served as a backup to fellow outgoing Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei in 2023, throwing for 309 yards and four TDs while adding four rushing scores.

Former Mississippi State QB Will Rogers to Washington

Rogers, who ranks No. 2 overall on the SEC’s all-time passer list with 12,315 yards, has committed to the University of Washington, according to ESPN. Rogers previously played at Mississippi State. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Dec. 13

Texas QB Maalik Murphy

The redshirt freshman has told the Longhorns’ coaching staff of his intention to enter the transfer portal, ESPN reported. While some expected Murphy to enter the transfer portal, his decision comes as Texas prepares to play in the College Football Playoff. Murphy told ESPN that he will not be with the team for its postseason run despite his wishes, citing timing as an issue.

“It’s nothing against Texas at all,” Murphy told ESPN. “I’m doing this purely for me and my future. In my eyes, I’ll always be a Longhorn and a part of this great team.”

Murphy served as the primary backup to Quinn Ewers this season, starting two games and even filling in for him when he briefly went down in the Big 12 title game. Murphy led Texas to wins in both of his starts, but he completed 35 of 62 passes for 418 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions over those two games.

Murphy figured to be in a tough spot for the 2024 season if he remained at Texas. It’s been heavily rumored that Ewers will return and highly-touted freshman Arch Manning projects to replace him whenever he does leave.

Former Duke DE RJ Oben to Notre Dame

Oben, one of the top-ranked defensive linemen in this year’s edition of the transfer portal, rejoins his old Blue Devils teammate Riley Leonard in South Bend. In the past two seasons under head coach Mike Elko in Durham, Oben had 37 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He will be an asset to the Fighting Irish defensive front in his final year of eligibility.

Former Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall to North Carolina State

McCall, a three-time Sun Belt Conference player of the year, has thrown for 10,005 yards with 88 TDs and 14 INTs over the past five years. He set the NCAA single-season mark for pass efficiency rating (207.6) in 2021. McCall has one year of eligibility left after five years with the Chanticleers, which he will spend trying to help Dave Doeren’s squad break into the upper tier of the ACC after an impressive 9-3 2023 season.

Dec. 12

Former Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke to Wisconsin

The junior signal-caller is joining the Badgers after he announced he was leaving Miami. The Hurricanes finished the regular season a disappointing 7-5. Van Dyke completed 65.8% of his passes this season for 2,703 yards and 18 touchdowns, but he also threw 12 interceptions. He’s thrown for 7,478 career yards and 54 touchdowns, and was the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year.

Former Ohio State RB Chip Trayanum to Kentucky

Trayanum played a big role for the Buckeyes when starting running back TreVeyon Henderson was sidelined with an injury early in Ohio State’s top-10 matchup with Notre Dame in September. Trayanum capped off Ohio State’s last-minute drive by scoring a touchdown as time expired to give the Buckeyes a dramatic win in South Bend. Trayanum, who was in his second year with Ohio State after transferring from Arizona State in 2022, had 373 rushing yards and three scores on 85 attempts in 2023.

Trayanum will likely help fill the void left by Kentucky’s 2023 leading rusher Ray Davis, who is headed to the NFL.

[Related: Departures show Ryan Day is mixing things up]

Former Purdue WR Deion Burks to Oklahoma

Burks, one of the top wide recievers in the portal, announced his commitment to Oklahoma on Tuesday, saying on social media, “Took me a SEC but it was gone happen SOONER or later #BOOMER.”

Burks finished up a season with All-Big Ten honors for the Boilermakers, with 47 receptions for 629 yards and 7 touchdowns. Burks’ services were also reportedly sought by Texas and Ole Miss, but Oklahoma edged out the competition to land the wideout threat when coach Brent Venables went to visit Burks near Purdue’s campus in West Lafayette this past week. Although he received some interest on the NFL draft radar, Burks chose to continue to play at the college level in order to develop his mental and physical game. Burks is a redshirt sophomore with 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Former Duke QB Riley Leonard to Notre Dame

Leonard made what seemed to be the inevitable official Tuesday, announcing his commitment to Notre Dame. 

“A dream come true. Go Irish,” Leonard wrote in a social media post with a video of him at Notre Dame Stadium. 

Leonard was one of the top quarterbacks to enter the transfer portal this winter. The dual-threat QB was a big reason for Duke’s 2022 turnaround under now-former head coach Mike Elko, who recently left for the same role at Texas A&M. The Blue Devils went 9-4 in Leonard’s first year as their starter, then Leonard followed that up by leading Duke to an upset of then-No. 9 ranked Clemson to open the 2023 season. He even went viral for asking a professor for a homework extension after the game. 

Leonard continued to excel as Duke surged to a 4-0 start to 2023, but suffered an ankle injury in the waning moments of a last-minute loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 30. He returned on Oct. 21 against FSU, but struggled before suffering what would become a season-ending toe injury against Louisville the following week. Leonard finished with a 57.8% completion rate, 1,102 passing yards and three TDs, along with 352 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground in 58 attempts.

Leonard was widely expected to land at Notre Dame to take over for Sam Hartman ever since he entered the portal. Like Hartman this past season, Leonard would be playing out his final year of eligibility with the Irish after being a multiyear starter at an ACC school.

Dec. 11

Former Boise State QB Taylen Green to Arkansas

Green led the Broncos to one of the more unlikely FBS conference title runs this season, as Boise State ran the table after firing head coach Andy Avalos in early November, finishing with a double-digit rout of UNLV in the Mountain West title game. Green had 1,752 yards and 11 TDs as a passer and another 434 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs.

Dec. 10 

Oregon QB Ty Thompson

After the Ducks announced they’d landed star lefty Dillon Gabriel, Thompson, who was in the mix to back up Heisman finalist Bo Nix next season, revealed he’d play for another school next season. The former five-star prospect has played sparingly for the Ducks through three seasons, having completed 42 of 66 pass attempts for 456 yards, six TDs and four interceptions. The redshirt sophomore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Former Louisiana Tech QB Hank Bachmeier to Wake Forest

The 24-year-old revealed that he’ll spend his sixth and final season of college eligibility with a new program. The news comes after the Demon Deacons lost a pair of signal-callers – Mitch Griffis and Santino Marucci – to the transfer portal. Over his career, which began at Boise State, Bachmeier has tossed 8,663 yards, 51 TDs and 24 INTs. He threw for nearly a quarter (2,058) of his total career yards this past season, along with 10 TDs. His best season was as a junior, when he amassed 3,079 yards through the air alongside 20 TDs.

Dec. 9

Former Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel to Oregon

Gabriel is finishing his collegiate career in the Pac-12, joining third-year coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks, which are preparing for the departure of Heisman Trophy finalist Bo Nix to the NFL. 

Gabriel, a senior who turns 23 in December, has one more year of eligibility left. After transferring from UCF ahead of the 2022 season, Gabriel put up big numbers during his two years in Norman. He threw for the sixth-most yards in the FBS this past season (3,660) to go along with 30 passing TDs and 12 rushing scores as he led the Sooners to a 10-2 season.

Dec. 7

Florida RB Trevor Etienne

Etienne, one of Florida’s top performers in 2022 and 2023 and the younger brother of NFL RB Travis Etienne, has entered the transfer portal. He rushed for 1,472 yards over two seasons in Gainesville. “I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to put on the Orange and Blue every Saturday, going to war with my teammates who would become my brothers for life. … My time as a gator was an invaluable experience and one that I will cherish for years to come,” he wrote on social media.

Dec. 6

Oklahoma State QB Gunnar Gundy

Gundy, the son of longtime Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy, played in three games in 2023. He completed 61.8% of his passes for 202 yards and one TD. The younger Gundy was a walk-on at Oklahoma State.

Nebraska QB Jeff Sims

Sims opened the season as the Huskers’ starting QB after transferring from Georgia Tech but was eventually benched in favor of backup Heinrich Haarberg. Given that, and with Nebraska openly courting other quarterbacks in the portal, it’s no surprise that Sims is entering the portal as a graduate transfer. In 2023, he completed 59.6% of his passes for 282 yards, one TD and six INTs. He also rushed for 189 yards and a score on 42 attempts.

Former Georgia QB Brock Vandagriff to Kentucky

Kentucky might have found its possible replacement for Devin Leary as Vandagriff announced his commitment to the Wildcats. Vandagriff is a former five-star prospect and one of the top QB recruits in the class of 2021, but he lost out to Carson Beck in the Bulldogs’ QB competition before the 2023 season. Vandagriff played in eight games in 2023, mostly in garbage time, and completed 12 of 18 passes for 165 yards and two TDs. He was once committed to then-Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, who’s widely expected to target at least one QB in the portal to bring to USC.

Marshall QB Cam Fancher

The sophomore enters the portal with multiple years of eligibility, per FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman. Fancher has thrown for 3,766 yards, 21 TDs and 17 INTs over the past two seasons. Even though he threw 11 INTs in 2023, Fancher is viewed as a “very talented” quarterback with plenty of potential. 

Indiana RB/KR Jaylin Lucas

One of college football’s best kick returners is entering the portal, according to The Athletic. Lucas, a sophomore, has returned three kicks for TDs in his collegiate career, helping him earn first-team All-American honors in 2022. In addition to his return skills, Lucas has rushed for 546 yards on 4.7 yards per carry and four TDs over the past two years. He also had 34 receptions for 247 yards and two TDs last season. 

Dec. 5

Former Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough to Louisville

The Red Raider QB has announced that he will transfer to Louisville. Shough, who turns 25 next September and will be a seventh-year senior, spent three seasons apiece at both Oregon and Texas Tech. In 27 career games, he has thrown for 4,625 yards and 36 TDs. In 2023, he threw for 746 yards with seven TDs and four INTs. 

North Texas QB Chandler Rogers

Rogers is entering the transfer portal as a graduate student. Rogers was among the top Group of 5 QBs in 2023, throwing for 3,383 yards, 29 TDs and five INTs while adding four rushing scores. If Rogers opts to transfer from North Texas, he’ll play for the fifth different school of his college career. He began at Southern Miss in 2019 and transferred to Blinn (a junior college) after a year. He transferred to Louisiana-Monroe in 2021 before moving to North Texas ahead of the 2023 season. 

Dec. 4

Ohio State QB Kyle McCord

The Buckeyes’ starting QB has entered the portal to “explore other options.” The junior put up some strong numbers in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,170 yards, 24 TDs and six INTs. He helped guide the Buckeyes to an 11-1 mark this season but did have two costly INTs in the loss to Michigan. Ohio State coach Ryan Day didn’t commit to McCord being the team’s starter for the Cotton Bowl or next season when asked Sunday.

Alabama QB Tyler Buchner

Buchner has entered the portal — as a lacrosse player, ESPN reported. The QB began his career at Notre Dame, opening the 2022 season as its starter, but he missed 10 games. He returned late that year, winning MVP honors in the Gator Bowl after he threw for three TDs and rushed for two scores in its win over South Carolina. However, Buchner lost the QB battle to Sam Hartman in spring practice and then hit the transfer portal and followed former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Alabama. Buchner wasn’t able to get the starting QB job with the Crimson Tide either. The sophomore completed five of 14 passes in his lone start of the season before being pulled against USF. 

Ohio State WR Julian Fleming

The senior is joining McCord in the portal, as he has one more season left of eligibility. After a quiet first two seasons in Columbus, Fleming emerged as a solid depth piece at receiver for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons. He had 34 receptions for 533 yards and six TDs in 2022, but his numbers dipped in 2023, recording 26 receptions for 270 yards. 

Wisconsin WR Chimere Dike

The senior will be leaving Madison and playing elsewhere for his final season of eligibility. Dike had a strong 2022 season, recording 47 receptions for 689 yards and six TDs as he was one of the lone bright spots for a Wisconsin offense that struggled that year. But he wasn’t able to replicate that production in 2023, recording just 19 receptions for 328 yards and a TD this past season. Dike’s decision to leave Wisconsin comes as wide receivers coach Mike Brown reportedly accepted an offer to join Notre Dame.

Former Arizona State S Jordan Clark to Notre Dame

Clark, a leader on the Sun Devils’ defense for the past several seasons, had 50 total tackles and nine pass breakups in 2023. The redshirt senior earned praise for how he played through injury despite a dismal 3-9 season for Arizona State in Kenny Dillingham’s first year as head coach. Clark, a former four-star recruit, is the son of former LSU and Pittsburgh Steelers safety and current NFL analyst Ryan Clark. He has one remaining year of eligibility.

Colorado TE Michael Harrison

Harrison, one of the few holdovers from before Deion Sanders’ arrival who played a role on the 2023 Buffaloes. The TE had 31 catches for 284 yards and five TDs as a redshirt junior in 2023. He had two key TDs in Colorado’s thrilling overtime win over Colorado State in Week 3.

Purdue WR Deion Burks

The Boilermakers standout is one of the highest-rated entrants into the portal, per 247Sports. Burks, a 2021 three-star recruit, had 47 receptions for 629 yards and seven TDs in 2023.

Dec. 3

Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen

Nolen was ranked the No. 1 overall college football recruit in the class of 2022 by some outlets, and those who did not rank Nolen in the top spot mostly had him at No. 2 behind current Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. The 6-foot-4 Tennessee native was considered the crown jewel of the Aggies’ historic 2022 recruiting class, the most talented ever in the modern rankings era. In 2023, he had 37 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. He was also Texas A&M’s highest-graded interior defensive lineman per Pro Football Focus. Nolen’s announcement came just hours after reports of Texas A&M coach defensive line coach and former interim head coach Elijah Robinson, Nolen’s position coach and one of the architects of that 2022 recruiting class, departing to become Syracuse’s defensive coordinator. 

Dec. 1

Washington State QB Cameron Ward

Ward announced that he is entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. In two seasons with the Cougars, he threw for 6,968 yards, with 48 TDs and 16 INTs. FOX Sports’ Brock Huard recently claimed Ward has “10 seven-figure deals waiting for him” in the transfer portal.

Arizona State QB Drew Pyne

The former Notre Dame QB will play for his third college team next season after announcing he’s transferring from ASU. He appeared in just two games last season for the Sun Devils, and put up paltry numbers: 273 passing yards on a 53.1 completion percentage, two TD, three INTs and a QB rating of 11.9. He was sacked 11 times in the pair of games. 

Pyne originally joined Notre Dame in 2020, appearing in four games in 2020, before playing in two more the following season. He took off in 2022, throwing for 2,021 yards, 22 TDs and six INTs. Pyne transferred to ASU ahead of the 2023 season, but suffered a preseason injury that derailed his campaign. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining as he searches for a new home.

Nov. 30

Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei

The Beavers’ signal-caller is departing Corvallis after one season, entering the portal as he either eyes a new college home or will enter the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN reported. Uiagalelei had a solid junior season at Oregon State, completing 57.1% of his passes for 2,638 yards, 21 TDs and seven INTs, while adding 219 rushing yards and six rushing scores. Uiagalelei transferred to Oregon State after starting his college career at Clemson. The five-star recruit initially impressed in fill-in starts for Trevor Lawrence during the 2020 season but fizzled out by the end of the 2022 season. Now, Uiagalelei will be on the move again, making his decision to leave just days after Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith accepted the Michigan State head coaching job. 

Nov. 29

Former Texas A&M QB Max Johnson to North Carolina

The southpaw QB became the first high-profile portal entry to find a new home. He will reportedly join Mack Brown’s Tar Heels as the presumptive replacement for Drake Maye at starting QB, as Maye is expected to be a top prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Johnson, who will arrive at North Carolina as a graduate transfer, began the 2022 season as Texas A&M’s starter but suffered a season-ending injury in its fourth game. He began the 2023 season as the backup but became the starter following an injury to Conner Weigman, throwing for 1,452 yards, nine TDs and five INTs in eight games. Johnson began his college career with LSU before transferring to A&M in 2022. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Florida DB Kamari Wilson and DL Will Norman

The two highly-touted former recruits appear to be departing the Gators in a seeming blow to head coach Billy Napier’s ability to keep successful recruits. Wilson had 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one defended pass last season. He was a four-star and top-50 overall recruit in the class of 2022, per 247Sports. Norman was also a four-star, in the class of 2023. He redshirted this season, recording one tackle across four games.

Florida QB Max Brown

Brown will reportedly enter the transfer portal after playing in the Gators’ final two games following an injury to starting QB Graham Mertz. He provided a steady hand when Mertz fractured his collarbone against Missouri on Nov. 18, helping the Gators to a near-upset of the top-10 Tigers. Brown, a true freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a former three-star, completed 67.9% of his passes for 192 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in 2023.

Duke DT Aeneas Peebles

Peebles will generate plenty of interest in the portal after a stellar season at Duke under former head coach Mike Elko, who left for Texas A&M. He compiled 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2023 as a pillar of Elko’s stout Blue Devils defense. The former class of 2020 three-star has one year of eligibility remaining and will likely cash in on that year at a major program following his breakout in 2023.

Nov. 28

Michigan State QB Noah Kim

Kim announced that he would enter the portal as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility left. The former 2020 three-star prospect was named the Spartans’ starter heading into 2023 but struggled amid a tumultuous year for the program as Mel Tucker was fired in September due to sexual harrasment allegations. Kim started the first five games of the season for Michigan State, notching a 56.9% completion rate, 1,090 yards and six TDs. He was benched for backup Katin Houser after the team’s bye week and did not play again last season. Kim, Houser and true freshman QB Sam Leavitt are now all in the transfer portal, meaning new head coach Jonathan Smith — a former decorated college QB himself — will now have to completelely rebuild that position group.

Offensive linemen Kevin Wigenton II and Ethan Boyd, as well as wide receiver Tyrell Henry, are also in the transfer portal in addition to past-reported names.

Texas Tech WR Myles Price

Price was one of the Red Raiders’ top receivers in 2023, with 43 catches for 410 yards and five TDs. The former three-star recruit has one season of eligibility remaining. 

Colorado LB Marvin “Deuce” Ham II

Ham became the latest Buffaloes player to state his intent to the transfer portal following Colorado’s disappointing finish to Deion Sanders’ first season at the helm. Ham was one of a handful of Buffaloes who predated Sanders and was able to not only stay but be an on-field contributor after Sanders’ unprecedented turnover of the roster via the portal following his infamous “Louis [Vuitton] luggage” speech. Ham, a former four-star recruit in the 2019 class, had 36 total tackles and one sack in 11 games for the Buffaloes in 2023. He has one year of eligibility left.

Minnesota QB Athan Kaliakmanis

The sophomore QB announced that he will enter the transfer portal and leave the program after his first full season as the starter. Kaliakmanis posted on social media that playing with his Gophers teammates “has been the honor of all honors” and that “the most difficult part” of his decision was to leave them. With the coaching staff planning to open competition for the starting job next season, Kaliakmanis opted to depart with two years of eligibility remaining. The native of Antioch, Illinois, started five games as a freshman last season when five-year starter Tanner Morgan was injured. Kaliakmanis closed the regular season by passing for a career-high 319 yards and two TDs in a road win against rival Wisconsin, but he never found the same groove in 2023.

Kaliakmanis had 14 TDs and nine INTs in 12 games during a disappointing year for the Gophers (5-7), who became bowl-eligible when there was a shortage of six-win teams. He had a 53.1% completion rate and an average of 153 passing yards per game. His backup was fifth-year senior Cole Kramer, who has one season of eligibility remaining.

Purdue WR Deion Burks

The redshirt sophomore announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, holding two more seasons of eligibility. Burks led Purdue in receiving in 2023, recording 47 receptions for 629 yards and seven TDs. He’s reportedly expected to be one of the top receivers to enter the portal this offseason, as some scouts believe he has the potential to be drafted.

Louisiana Tech QB Hank Bachmeier

The senior QB officially entered the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. He was statistically one of the more efficient Group of 5 signal-callers this season, completing 67.7% of his passes for 2,058 yards, 10 TDs and five INTs while rushing for two scores. He began his college career at Boise State before transferring to Louisiana Tech in 2023. 

Nov. 27

Kansas State QB Will Howard

Howard officially entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, allowing him to bypass the waiting period. The senior enjoyed a great deal of success during his time in Manhattan, leading the Cougars to a win in the Big 12 Championship Game in 2022. He became KSU’s starting QB in the middle of that season, throwing for 1,633 yards, 15 TDs and four INTs with three rushing TDs. KSU went 4-1 in the games he started that season.

He nearly got Kansas State back to the Big 12 title game in 2023, leading it to an 8-4 record as he started all 12 games. He threw for 2,643 yards, 24 TDs and 10 INTs, adding 364 rushing yards and nine rushing scores. 

Michigan State QB Katin Houser

The redshirt freshman is entering the portal just days after Michigan State hired Jonathan Smith as its next head coach, ESPN reported. Houser, a four-star recruit, redshirted as a freshman and began the 2023 season as the Spartans’ backup QB before becoming their starter. He threw for 1,132 yards, six TDs and five INTs with two rushing scores.

Baylor QB Blake Shapen

The redshirt junior QB told ESPN that he will be entering the transfer portal. After helping Baylor win the Big 12 title game in 2021 in one of his two fill-in starts that season, he became the Bears’ starting QB in 2022. He threw for 2,790 yards, 18 TDs and 10 INTs with two rushing scores that season, going 6-7 as a starter. He threw for 2,188 yards, 13 TDs and three INTs with four rushing TDs in 2023, missing four games due to injury as Baylor went 2-6 in his starts.

USC WR Raleek Brown

The sophomore wideout has told multiple outlets that he’s planning to enter the transfer portal. Brown, who was regarded as a top-70 prospect in the Class of 2022, decommitted from Oklahoma and committed to USC following Lincoln Riley’s decision to go to USC at the end of the 2021 season. He had 14 receptions for 151 yards and three TDs while adding 166 rushing yards and two rushing scores as a freshman. His playing time diminished in 2023, recording only three receptions and three rushes. 

Kansas State RB Treshaun Ward

The senior RB will enter the transfer portal for a second straight season, leaving Manhattan after joining the Wildcats from FSU last year. Ward had a solid year at Kansas State, rushing for 643 yards and scoring seven total TDs as he split starting halfback duties. 

Nov. 26

Utah QB Nate Johnson

The redshirt freshman told ESPN that he’s intending to enter the transfer portal once he’s eligible. Johnson’s decision to enter the portal comes after he flipped roles as the starting QB for the Utes with Bryson Barnes. He ended up finishing the season on the bench, throwing for 499 yards, three TDs and no interceptions with 235 rushing yards and four rushing scores. Despite the solid-looking numbers, Utah struggled to score in two of his three starts, losing one of them. 

Nov. 24

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers

Rogers announced his intention to transfer a day after his team’s season finale, making the decision before Jeff Lebby was announced as the school’s new head coach. Rogers can move as a grad transfer, making him eligible to play immediately. 

Rogers started every game for the Bulldogs in the 2021 and 2022 seasons after starting for half of the 2020 season. Under Mike Leach, Rogers thrived in his first three years in Starkville, throwing for an SEC-record 505 completions in 2021 and had 82 total TD passes during that span.

However, the death of Leach last December seemed to affect the Bulldogs this season, struggling under Zach Arnett. Rogers also missed four games due to injury, throwing for 1,626 yards, 12 TDs and four INTs in 2023.

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