College football transfer portal team rankings for 2024

Where things stand in the college football transfer portal rankings in 2024 after the close of the winter window and looking ahead to spring

Like it or not, the transfer portal has forever changed college football. With the introduction of immediate eligibility for first-time transfer players, the way coaches and schools are able to make and remake their rosters now includes something like the equivalent of a free agency period in the NCAA.

The first transfer portal window opened in December and closed shortly after the new year, allowing a flurry of thousands of players to affect a change of scenery for the 2024 season, and the spring transfer window will repeat the process all over again.

10. Missouri

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Among the 10 incoming transfers Eli Drinkwitz brought into the program are a rotation of capable contributors to the front seven rotation, including lineman Sterling Webb, edge rushers Darris Smith and Zion Young, in addition to linebacker Brady Hultman. New running back Nate Noel was 2nd nationally with 130 rushing yards per game last season.

9. NC State

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Running backs Jordan Waters and Daylan Smothers add to the Wolfpack's rushing capacity, and wide receiver Noah Rogers comes over from Ohio State to create downfield opportunities. Two promising cornerback additions include Devon Marshall and Tamarcus Cooley, but maybe no more important pickup was that of quarterback Grayson McCall, a veteran with over 10,000 passing yards, whose addition bodes very well for the Wolfpack offense.

8. South Carolina

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To help with an offensive line that struggled last season, the Gamecocks brought in some reinforcements in the form of Torricelli Simpkins and Kamaar Bell to man the interior, receivers like Ahmari Huggins-Bruce and Gage Larvadain to replace Juice Wells, and critically, former Arkansas tailback Raheim Sanders, who has over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career.

7. Ohio State

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Although the Buckeyes have the fewest transfers among the top 10 teams in these rankings, they acquired some very high-quality pieces who will contribute immediately: five-star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama, five-star quarterback prospect Julian Sayin, also from Alabama, and tailback Quinshon Judkins, who led the SEC in rushing the last two seasons at Ole Miss, are all extremely valuable pickups. As is veteran quarterback Will Howard, who comes over from Kansas State to plug the hole left suddenly by 2023 starter Kyle McCord.

6. Texas

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Another smaller but elite transfer class, as the Longhorns gained three highly valuable wide receiver prospects: Isaiah Bond from Alabama, Matthew Golden from Houston, and Silas Bolden from Oregon State, in addition to former Crimson Tide tight end Amari Niblack. All of whom will greatly aid Quinn Ewers to keep the Texas offense competitive as it enters the SEC this fall.

5. Louisville

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Jeff Brohm was active once again in the transfer portal, signing 26 players in the winter window from almost every position group on the field. At wide receiver, the Cardinals added Ja'Corey Brooks from Alabama and Caullin Lacy from South Alabama. At running back, Donald Chaney from Miami. On the edge, former Tennessee player Tyler Baron. And at quarterback, the veteran Tyler Shough, who has over 4,600 passing yards at Oregon and Texas Tech.

4. Colorado

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After struggling on the line of scrimmage getting to the quarterback last season, the Buffaloes responded by adding three notable linemen: BJ Green, who had career highs in TFLs, sacks, and tackles last year in addition to 11 quarterback pressures, is an important addition. Samuel Okunlola was the No. 7 edge rusher in the portal, and Quency Wiggins comes over from LSU as a promising option rushing the pass.

3. Florida State

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Mike Norvell will oversee some major roster overhaul this offseason, but has been aggressive in the portal, signing wide receivers Jalen Brown from LSU and Malik Benson from Alabama, which also produced tailback Roydell Williams. Defensive additions include linebacker Shawn Murphy from Alabama and edge rusher Marvin Jones, Jr. from Georgia. And the Seminoles got their replacement at quarterback by signing former Clemson and Oregon State starter DJ Uiagalelei. 

2. Oregon

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Oregon should have one of the best offensive lines in college football this season, and thanks to transfer additions, it will protect one of the nation's premier skill attacks. Five-star wide receiver Evan Stewart is a monster get from Texas A&M, as are quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel, the veteran from Oklahoma, and newcomer Dante Moore, a former 5-star recruit who stands in inherit the role in the future.

1. Ole Miss

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Portal King Lane Kiffin may have lost star tailback Quinshon Judkins to the Buckeyes, but acquired former LSU back Logan Diggs and key offensive pickups like wide receiver Antwane Wells and tight end Daequan Wright. But his best additions were defensive, led by five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, linebacker Chris Paul, Jr., corner Trey Amos, and safety Yam Banks. Seventeen transfers in all that propel the Rebels into top-10 territory come 2024.

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