NCAA

[Leisher]

I'm in a holding pattern right now...

There is talk among OSU Twitter that they want to go after your CB that is leaving.

Here you go:

Ranking college football transfers: Best players in portal for 2023
8:00 PM ET
Tom VanHaaren
ESPN Staff Writer
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The college football transfer portal is officially open to all players, and we have already seen many difference-makers enter, from starting quarterbacks to top rushers and leading tacklers.

More than 3,000 FBS players entered the portal last year, from quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, to offensive playmakers like Jordan Addison and Jahmyr Gibbs, to offensive linemen like O'Cyrus Torrence and Olusegun Oluwatimi, to defensive playmakers like Drew Sanders and Laiatu Latu.

Who will be the biggest names to enter the portal this year? Which players in the portal will stand out in 2023? We're ranking the best players in the portal this cycle by past production, interest from major programs and potential to contribute to a new team. The rankings will be adjusted as new players enter their names into the portal and as more players become available.

Last updated: Monday, 8 p.m. ET with Tony Grimes and Dante Cephas. There are 33 total players in our ranking.



Best college football players in the transfer portal

1. Devin Leary, QB
Transferring from: NC State

HT: 6-1 | WT: 215 | Class: Senior

Background: Leary is a multi-year starter and should be one of the more sought-after quarterbacks in the portal. He played in eight games during the 2019 season, then went through and up-and-down season in 2020 with restrictions from COVID-19 and an injury. In 2021, he threw for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns, setting a school single season record for touchdown passes beating out Philip Rivers (34). He played in six games this season and threw for 1,265 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck just left the Wolfpack to take the head-coaching job at Coastal Carolina.


2. Dasan McCullough, LB
Transferring from: Indiana

HT: 6-5 | WT: 230 | Class: Freshman

Background: McCullough was the No. 43 overall prospect in the 2022 class and one of the highest-ranked recruits to ever sign with the Hoosiers. His father, Deland, was coaching at Indiana when he committed but was hired by Notre Dame in February. Dasan McCullough played in 10 games, recording 49 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and three pass breakups in an excellent freshman season.


3. Dominic Lovett, WR
Transferring from: Missouri

HT: 5-10 | WT: 187 | Class: Sophomore

Background: After putting up 173 yards on 26 receptions in 13 games as a freshman, Lovett led the team in receiving yards (846) in 2022 on 56 receptions. He had three touchdown receptions and averaged 70.5 receiving yards per game. A three-star prospect from East Saint Louis, Illinois, with experience and multiple years of eligibility remaining, he should have plenty of options.


4. Ajani Cornelius, OL
Transferring from: Rhode Island

HT: 6-4 | WT: 320 | Class: Third-year sophomore

Background: Cornelius redshirted his first year in 2020 but started all 11 games at right tackle for Rhode Island in 2021. He was part of an offensive line that helped the team run for 133.6 yards per game. Cornelius then started all 11 games at right tackle in 2022 and earned first-team All-CAA for his performance.

He has already received multiple FBS offers, including Florida, Boston College, Maryland, Illinois, South Carolina and Auburn.


5. Dorian Singer, WR
Transferring from: Arizona

HT: 6-1 | WT: 185 | Class: Sophomore

Background: Singer played in the final five games of the season in 2021 and finished with 301 yards. He played in all 12 games in 2022, finishing this season atop the Pac-12 in receiving yards with 1,105 yards. He had six touchdown receptions and averaged 92.08 receiving yards per game. As a sophomore with high production, he will be heavily targeted now that he's in the portal.


6. De'Zhaun Stribling, WR
Transferring from: Washington State

HT: 6-3 | WT: 204 | Class: Sophomore

Background: As a freshman in 2021, Stribling appeared in all 13 games for the Cougars, catching 44 passes for 471 yards and five touchdowns. He led the team in receiving yards in 2022 with 602 yards on 51 receptions and had five scores. He has multiple years of eligibility remaining.


7. Spencer Sanders, QB
Transferring from: Oklahoma State

HT: 6-1 | WT: 210 | Class: Fifth-year senior

Background: Sanders was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2019 and a second-team All-Big 12 player. He set an Oklahoma State freshman record, throwing for 2,065 yards that season despite missing the final two games with an injury. As a sophomore in 2020, he threw for 2,007 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions with two rushing touchdowns. An injury early in the season kept him out of two games, but he started 11 of the Oklahoma State games that season, including a 400-yard, four-touchdown effort against Texas. He became a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2021 after throwing for 2,839 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with 668 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Sanders played in 10 games during the 2022 season and finished with 2,642 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions with eight rushing touchdowns in a seven-win season.


8. DJ Uiagalelei, QB
Transferring from: Clemson

HT: 6-4 | WT: 235 | Class: Junior

Background: Uiagalelei is a former ESPN 300 recruit, ranked No. 43 in the 2020 class. He saw game action in 10 games, starting two, during the 2020 season behind then-starter Trevor Lawrence and threw for 914 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He had an up-and-down season in 2021, throwing for 2,246 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 55% of his passes. He started the 2022 season on a similar note and was eventually pushed by true freshman Cade Klubnik, who replaced Uiagalelei in the ACC championship game win over North Carolina. Uiagalelei is leaving as a grad transfer and could end up going closer to home in California.


9. Austin Reed, QB
Transferring from: Western Kentucky

HT: 6-2 | WT: 230 | Class: Fifth-year senior

Background: Reed transferred to Western Kentucky from West Florida, where he won a Division II national championship and threw for 4,089 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2019. His 4,247 passing yards ranked second in FBS, and he threw for 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season for the Hilltoppers. He is leaving as a grad transfer.


10. Elijah Spencer, WR
Transferring from: Charlotte

HT: 6-1 | WT: 193 | Class: Sophomore

Background: Spencer won four state titles at Dutch Fork High School in Irm, South Carolina. He signed with Charlotte as a three-star prospect and was tied for the team lead with six touchdowns in 12 games in a debut season in which he was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year. He followed that up with an excellent 2022 season, putting up 943 yards on 57 receptions with nine touchdowns.


11. Fentrell Cypress, CB
Transferring from: Virginia

HT: 6-0 | WT: 184 | Class: Junior

Background: Cypress started six games for Virginia in 2021 and came on strong in the 2022 season. He had 39 total tackles in 2022, along with 14 pass breakups on the year. He was named second-team All-ACC for his performance, and given he has multiple years of eligibility remaining and he is a 6-foot corner, he should have plenty of Power 5 interest as a transfer.


12. Tony Grimes, CB
Transferring from: North Carolina

HT: 6-0 | WT: 195 | Class: Junior

Background: Grimes was a five-star prospect out of high school and reclassified from the 2021 class to 2020 to enroll a year early at North Carolina. Grimes played in 12 games his freshman season, making four starts, and had one interception and four pass breakups. He started all 13 games in 2021 and earned All-ACC honorable mention after posting nine pass breakups. He had 36 total tackles and seven pass breakups in 12 games this season and will be one of the best defensive backs on the market.



13. JQ Hardaway, DB
Transferring from: Cincinnati

HT: 6-3 | WT: 200 | Class: Freshman

Background: Hardaway was a three-star prospect in the 2022 class and was highly sought after from programs across the country, picking the Bearcats over Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Oregon. In 12 games, he had 50 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He also had 10 pass breakups.

His size and length at the corner position, combined with his performance this season, should make him highly desirable. He could opt to follow his former coach, Luke Fickell, to Wisconsin, but there should be other suitors to make him think.


14. Braden Fiske, DL
Transferring from: Western Michigan

HT: 6-5 | WT: 300 | Class: Fifth-year junior

Background: Fiske played in two games in 2018, and in his 12 games in 2019, he recorded 24 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. In the truncated 2020 season, Fiske started all six games with 13 total tackles and continued improving in 2021 with 43 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a defensive tackle. Fiske had his best season in 2022, compiling 58 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks with three pass breakups.

Fiske is already garnering major FBS attention, with Notre Dame and potentially USC interested.


15. Darrell Jackson Jr., DT
Transferring from: Miami

HT: 6-6 | WT: 300 | Class: Sophomore

Background: Jackson transferred to Miami from Maryland after the 2021 season, where he played in all 13 games for the Terps. He started every game this season for Miami and had 27 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks for the Hurricanes in 2022.


16. Dante Cephas, WR
Transferring from: Kent State

HT: 6-1 | WT: 186 | Class: Fourth-year junior

Background: Cephas broke out with 1,240 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 82 receptions in 2021. He played in nine games during the 2022 season and still managed 48 receptions for 744 yards and three touchdowns. He is a former All-MAC selection and has already heard from Notre Dame, Penn State, West Virginia and Pitt, among others.


17. Jimmy Horn Jr., WR
Transferring from: South Florida

HT: 5-9 | WT: 174 | Class: Sophomore

Background: Horn was a three-star prospect in the 2021 class out of Sanford, Florida, and chose South Florida over some Power 5 schools. He played in all 12 games his freshman season and started five with 408 yards receiving and one touchdown. Horn ranked second on the team in receiving yards (551) in 2022 and tied for second on the team with three receiving touchdowns.

He has received major Power 5 interest and has already revealed a top four of Colorado, Houston, Penn State and Texas A&M.


18. Andre Carter, DL
Transferring from: Western Michigan

HT: 6-5 | WT: 263 | Class: Fifth-year junior

Background: Carter was an all-state selection at Cass Tech High School in Detroit and signed with Western Michigan as a three-star. He redshirted his first season in 2018 and played in all 13 games in 2019, registering 23 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He improved on those numbers in 2021 (30 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks). But the 2022 season was his best yet: 68 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Carter already has started to garner interest from major programs and should have multiple options.


19. Mason Cobb, LB
Transferring from: Oklahoma State

HT: 6-0 | WT: 230 | Class: Junior

Background: Cobb was a three-star recruit out of Provo, Utah, and had a combined 237 tackles his junior and senior seasons. He had minimal stats in the truncated 2020 season but played in all 14 games in 2021 as a sophomore, with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. He broke out in 2022, leading the team with 96 total tackles. Cobb also had 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and 11 quarterback hurries.


20. Traeshon Holden, WR
Transferring from: Alabama

HT: 6-3 | WT: 214 | Class: Junior

Background: Holden signed with Alabama as the No. 263 prospect in the 2020 class over other big Power 5 offers. He saw playing time in all 15 games of the 2021 season and finished with 239 yards and one touchdown. Holden was tied for second on the team in receiving touchdowns in 2022 with six and also had 331 yards on 25 receptions, averaging 13.24 yards per catch.

His SEC experience and production for one of the best teams in the country should help in his search for a new program.


21. Drae McCray, WR
Transferring from: Austin Peay

HT: 5-9 | WT: 177 | Class: Sophomore

Background: McCray was a three-star recruit out of Tallahassee, Florida. He came out of the gates swinging, playing in 11 games as a freshman in 2021 and leading the team with 53 receptions, 882 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He also had 1,030 all-purpose yards and a punt return touchdown. He led the team in receiving yards (1,021) and had nine touchdowns in 2022.

With multiple years of eligibility still remaining, he should be attractive to quite a few programs.


22. Javion Cohen, OL
Transferring from: Alabama

HT: 6-4 | WT: 305 | Class: Junior

Background: Cohen was a three-star recruit in the 2020 class who signed with Alabama out of Phenix City, Alabama. He was an SEC All-Freshman player in 2020, despite not being a starter. He then started 14 games in 2021 at left guard and was a stabilizing force on the interior. Cohen started 10 games in 2022 and played a total of 554 snaps. It's not every day that an Alabama offensive lineman enters the portal, so it's highly likely that Cohen will see big interest.


23. Jacob Lacey, DL
Transferring to: Oklahoma | Transferring from: Notre Dame

HT: 6-1 | WT: 280 | Class: Senior

Background: Lacey was the No. 119 recruit in the 2019 class out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. He chose Notre Dame over Michigan, Tennessee, Michigan State and a handful of others out of high school. He dealt with some injuries during his time at Notre Dame and had 35 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 37 games. Lacey played in just four games this season and decided to transfer for a fresh start.

How he fits at Oklahoma: Brent Venables' team needs help on defense. The OU coach used the portal last year to fill holes, especially at quarterback with Dillon Gabriel, and he's doing it again on the defensive side this offseason. Lacey was productive in his time at Notre Dame and has experience playing at the highest level. He'll be able to come in and contribute right away for the Sooners to give them a big body up front along the defensive line.


24. Gunner Britton, OL
Transferring from: Western Kentucky

HT: 6-6 | WT: 305 | Class: Junior

Background: Britton redshirted his first year in 2018, but started the first two games of the 2019 season at left tackle. He played in every game but one that season and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. He played in all 12 games in 2020 as a redshirt sophomore, blocking for quarterback Bailey Zappe in a record-setting offense. Britton is a versatile lineman (he played both tackle spots for Western Kentucky).

He already is fielding Power 5 interest and should be one of the top linemen in the portal this cycle.


25. Kyle Morlock, TE
Transferring from: Shorter

HT: 6-7 | WT: 250 | Class: Sophomore

Background: Morlock is one of the most intriguing transfers of this cycle. He's a 6-foot-7, 245-pound tight end from a D-II school with multiple years of eligibility remaining. He had 446 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season and has already been in contact with multiple schools.

Morlock has offers from West Virginia, Auburn, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Purdue, Kansas, Oklahoma, LSU, Tulane, Illinois, Florida State, Tennessee and a handful of other schools.


26. Theo Wease, WR
Transferring from: Oklahoma

HT: 6-3 | WT: 200 | Class: Fourth-year junior

Background: Wease was a highly decorated recruit, ranked No. 33 overall in the 2019 class out of Allen, Texas. He signed with Oklahoma and played in 13 of 14 games in his first season with 136 yards and two touchdowns. He elevated his stats in 2020 with 530 yards on 37 receptions and four touchdowns. He played in just one game in 2021 because of injury, but bounced back in 2022 with 378 yards and four touchdowns. His production hasn't met expectations, but his potential will garner interest in the transfer process.


27. Cade McNamara, QB
Transferring to: Iowa | Transferring from: Michigan

HT: 6-1 | WT: 206 | Class: Fourth-year senior

Background: After redshirting his freshman season and backing up Joe Milton III in 2020, McNamara eventually played his way onto the field, starting all 14 games in 2021 and leading Michigan to its first Big Ten championship under Jim Harbaugh and the team's first College Football Playoff berth. Despite the season he had in 2021, McNamara was in a battle with J.J. McCarthy for the starting QB job in 2022. McCarthy won the job after the second game of the season and McNamara suffered a leg injury in the fourth game against UConn that ended his season.

How he fits at Iowa: The Hawkeyes are in desperate need of stability at quarterback, and McNamara should be able to provide consistent play. Backup quarterback Alex Padilla entered the transfer portal, which puts quarterback depth at a minimum for next season. The team ranked 123rd in pass yards per game this season and No. 127 in offensive points scored per game. Adding McNamara, who has experience and ability, will give the Hawkeyes an immediate boost at the position for next season.


28. Davis Brin, QB
Transferring from: Tulsa

HT: 6-2 | WT: 208 | Class: Senior

Background: Brin redshirted his first year in 2018 and played in just one game during the 2019 season. It wasn't until the 2021 season when he saw significant playing time, starting all 13 games and throwing for 3,269 yards and 18 touchdowns. It was the seventh-best single-season passing performance for a Tulsa quarterback. He followed that up with 2,138 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022.


29. Kyle Hergel, OL
Transferring from: Texas State

HT: 6-2 | WT: 305 | Class: Junior

Background: Hergel started his college career at North Dakota, where he was named the 2019 FCS Independent newcomer of the year. He started all 12 games in 2019 and all five games in the 2020 season. He then transferred to Texas State for the 2021 season and was named to the All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention Team, starting 24 games the past two years. He's an excellent interior lineman with quite a bit of experience at multiple levels.


30. Hudson Card, QB
Transferring from: Texas

HT: 6-2 | WT: 201 | Class: Third-year sophomore

Background: Card was the No. 40 prospect in the 2020 class and signed with the Longhorns out of Austin, Texas. He redshirted his freshman season, then played in eight games with two starts in 2021. He had 590 yards, five touchdown passes and one interception that season. Card was beat out by Ohio State transfer Quinn Ewers for the starting job this season, but Card played in four games after Ewers went down with an injury. In the five games in which he saw action, he had 928 passing yards and six touchdowns. Ewers took back the starting job once he was healthy, and now Card is looking for a fresh start.


31. Jaxen Turner, S
Transferring from: Arizona

HT: 6-2 | WT: 210 | Class: Fourth-year junior

Background: Turner was a three-star recruit out of Moreno Valley, California, who signed with Arizona in the 2019 class. He hit the ground running once he got to Arizona and played in the first six games of the season at safety. His season was cut short because of an injury, but he bounced back in 2020. Turner started 11 of 12 games in 2021, with 59 total tackles and four tackles for loss. In 2022, Turner led the team with 79 total tackles, and he also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season.


32. Jake Heimlicher, DL
Transferring to: UCLA | Transferring from: Penn

HT: 6-4 | WT: 245 | Class: Senior

Background: Heimlicher played in just one game during the 2018 season but saw playing time in all 10 games of the 2019 season. He had 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack, and then the 2020 season was canceled for all Ivy League schools. The 2021 season was his breakout: He played in all 10 games and finished the year with 51 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

How he fits at UCLA: UCLA has made it a strategy to build the team through the transfer portal and use high school recruiting as a way to fill other holes. The Bruins ranked No. 57 in total sacks this season (27), so Heimlicher will give the team immediate help in that category. He's a versatile player who can come off the edge or drop back in coverage and should be a big contributor for the Bruins next season.


33. Austin Stogner, TE
Transferring from: South Carolina

HT: 6-5 | WT: 260 | Class: Senior

Background: Stogner initially transferred from Oklahoma, where he had a few successful years for the Sooners. He was a second-team All-Big 12 pick in 2020 and one of the top tight ends in the country. He followed his former quarterback, Spencer Rattler, to South Carolina and had 20 receptions for 210 yards and one touchdown. He has another year of eligibility, and it isn't out of the question to see him transfer back to Oklahoma to finish out his career.

[TheCatt]

Thanks!!

4. Ajani Cornelius, OL

UNC needs that guy.

12. Tony Grimes, CB

I didn't realize he was leaving UNC. Hmmm.

22. Javion Cohen, OL
Transferring from: Alabama

Someone else UNC could use.

1. Devin Leary, QB
Transferring from: NC State

Interesting. Guess he's decided to try and find somewhere that could win this year, like when Russel Wilson left NCSU.

[Leisher]

Over 1000 players have entered the transfer portal this year, including people on CFP teams and a boatload of Bama players.

[TheCatt]

Over 1000 players have entered the transfer portal this year, including people on CFP teams and a boatload of Bama players.

Well, about 500 of them will be disappointed, I'm guessing.

UNC needs an O-Line, badly.

[TheCatt]

UNC battling with the big boys for #95 football recruit.
!RmindMe 11/26/2022

Well, poop. Went to Tenn.

[TheCatt]

Kirk Herbstreit: Nebraska to play B10 championship against OSU. That prediction is not aging well already, as they are barely beating Northwestern.

!RmindMe 12/1/2022

- edit - NU wins 31-28 over Nebraska. I don't think we need this rmindme, but I'll leave it for now

Well, he was wrong twice.

[TheCatt]

ACC Football rankings from ESPN SP+

!RmindMe 12/5/2022

Clemson ended up 10th. NCSU 25th. UNC 26th. FSU 13th. Pitt/Miami nowhere near being ranked.

[TheCatt]

Way too early top 25.

OSU's D is definitely going to be a question mark.

Bama's WR corps is a huge question mark because Young looked like shit without his two best WRs.

TTUN at #5 is going to be shaky. They're losing very key players, and just lost the coach responsible for their two studs that went pro. They still might lose Harbaugh. They also have a ridiculously easy schedule per a TTUN fan friend (I haven't looked at it, so that might be false?).

I assume UNC is missing because that QB is leaving?

Can I predict you finish in the top 25 next year? Maybe 18.

!RmindME 12/9/2022

What's interesting to me is NCSU above Clemson. That would be pretty big for a program where they were ready to fire their head coach 1 year ago.

Well, UNC finished 26th, so Leisher jinxed us.

OSU/UofM/UGA were close. TCU wasn't in the top 25.

[Leisher]

Brohm leaves Purdue.

I thought this was a step down and perhaps a scared move with Day, Franklin, Harbaugh, Fickell (now at Wisconsin), Rhule (now at Nebraska), and Schiano. However, it's his alma mater so completely acceptable.

[TheCatt]

UNC lost their OC to Wisconsin. He'd worked with Fickell before.

[TheCatt]

UNC lost their OC to Wisconsin. He'd worked with Fickell before.

OL coach follows OC. Our OL has been terrible the past two years. But he hasn't had much to work with.

[TheCatt]

[Leisher]

Stetson Bennett also remembers when Arby's roast beefs were 5 for $5!

[Leisher]

[TheCatt]

A more damning angle.

[TheCatt]

Mike Leach is in pretty bad shape.

[Leisher]

I heard the word "hospice" mentioned. Sucks.

[TheCatt]

I heard the word "hospice" mentioned. Sucks.

[TheCatt]

Mike Leach is in pretty bad shape.

He's dead, Jim.

Take care of your hearts, people.

[Leisher]

Yeah, that just felt it wasn't going to end well right away.

Condolences to his family. Dude was a heck of a coach and personality.