College Football Transfer Portal Top 100: Preseason intel on 2023’s most-hyped newcomers (2024)

The Athletic has live coverage of the college football transfer portal window.

Among the more than 1,500 college football players who transferred to FBS schools this offseason, who’s ready to shine the brightest?

Now that we’re just days away from Week 0 kicking off, it’s time to rank the most important transfers of 2023. In this evolving transfer portal era, recruiting sites now assign grades and star ratings to transfer players as soon as they enter the NCAA portal. But if you want to know which players are truly poised to make an instant impact, you’ll get better answers at the end of August.

Some high-profile transfers more than lived up to the hype in training camp. Some ran into setbacks or are looking more like rotational players or reserves. And some are young players who have several years to keep developing. The No. 1 player in last year’s top 100 ended up winning the Heisman Trophy. We’ll soon find out if this year’s crop of transfers has similar superstar potential.

We solicited feedback from college football coaches and staffers across the country on which newcomers have the potential to not just become starters but emerge as all-conference performers and possibly NFL Draft picks. Some staffers were granted anonymity because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly about their rosters.

As more and more quality players transfer, trimming this list down to only 100 gets tougher every year. Here is The Athletic’s ranking of the top 100 most impactful transfers for 2023.

1. QB Sam Hartman, Wake Forest → Notre Dame

Notre Dame finished No. 98 in the FBS in passing yards per game last season and addressed that by beating out a bunch of SEC schools for the former Wake Forest star, who has thrown 110 career touchdown passes and started 45 games over five seasons. Irish staffers love what they’ve seen, both on and off the field, from the three-time Demon Deacons team captain. They say he has immediately brought his new teammates great leadership while showing he can really distribute the ball. Hartman will be a big upgrade from what the Irish have had at quarterback the last few years.

2. WR Adonai Mitchell, Georgia → Texas

Mitchell brings valuable big-game experience to a Texas squad that’s determined to be a contender in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 196-pound wideout has scored touchdowns in four College Football Playoff games during his career, including the game-winner against Ohio State last season, but an ankle injury prevented him from shining as a sophom*ore. Mitchell opted to move closer to home this offseason to spend more time with his daughter and proved to be one of the Longhorns’ most talented players as soon as he showed up.

One staffer compared his game to DeAndre Hopkins and believes he’ll become an early-round pick after a big season in coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Mitchell’s playmaking ability will also make it even tougher for defenses to stop Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, Ja’Tavion Sanders and the rest of Texas’ loaded group of pass catchers.

3. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Jackson State → Colorado

“He’s different,” one Colorado coach told The Athletic about the former No. 1 overall recruit. “He can be dominant on whatever side of the ball he plays.” In his freshman season at Jackson State, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete logged 20 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions as a DB to go with 18 catches for 188 yards and four touchdowns as a wideout. His new Colorado coaches marvel at Hunter’s rare talents and stamina to play both ways without letting up. “He’s just an extremely smooth, gifted athlete with elite ball skills,” said the Buffs assistant.

4. DE Jordan Burch, South Carolina → Oregon

The Ducks have a lot of speed in their front seven, and Burch and Brandon Dorlus are going to be a ferocious tandem. Last year, the former five-star recruit had a breakthrough season for the Gameco*cks with 60 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Burch has turned heads inside his new program with his athleticism, clocking 20.85 mph on the GPS, vertical jumping 34 inches and squatting almost 700 pounds.

5. WR Keon Coleman, Michigan State → Florida State

Jordan Travis has a bunch of very big, very athletic dudes to throw to in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Coleman isn’t as big as 6-foot-7 wideout Johnny Wilson, but the former Spartan is going to be a problem for opponents. He caught 58 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophom*ore in 2022, highlighted by a 155-yard performance on the road against arch-rival Michigan. Coleman isn’t just a big possession receiver. He has excellent speed and is going to make a lot of contested catches. He has also picked up the Seminoles’ offense very quickly.

6. OL Drake Nugent, Stanford → Michigan

Nugent developed into a two-year starter at center for Stanford and looks ready to be a plug-and-play solution for the Wolverines as they replace Olu Oluwatimi, who also came in via the portal and became a consensus All-American and winner of the Rimington Award (college football’s best center) and Outland Trophy (best interior lineman). That’s a lot to live up to for Nugent, but the 6-foot-2, 301-pound grad transfer has impressed teammates with his work ethic and tenacity. One coach said he’s smart, quick and dependable and plays like a “little pit bull.”

7. QB Tanner Mordecai, SMU → Wisconsin

New offensive coordinator Phil Longo couldn’t have found a better fit at QB for where he’s taking the Badgers’ offense. Mordecai threw for 7,152 yards with 72 touchdowns and 22 interceptions on 66 percent passing in two seasons as SMU’s starter and brings a wealth of experience in Air Raid systems from his time there and at Oklahoma. That made it much easier for him to pick up and master Longo’s playbook. Wisconsin’s staff says the 6-foot-2, 218-pound super senior has a live arm and has impressed with his leadership.

8. QB Devin Leary, NC State → Kentucky

Leary is one of the most accomplished QBs in this portal cycle as a 26-game starter who was an All-ACC-caliber passer at NC State. He enjoyed a big year in 2021 with 3,433 passing yards, 35 TDs and just five interceptions, but a torn pectoral muscle ended his 2022 campaign after just six games. Leary sought a fresh start after four years in Raleigh and joined the Wildcats just as offensive coordinator Liam Coen returned from the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Leary is Dane Brugler’s ninth-ranked senior QB prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft and has wowed Wildcats coaches with his accuracy and how well he’s fit into their culture.

9. CB Davison Igbinosun, Ole Miss → Ohio State

Igbinosun was the No. 1 recruit in New Jersey in the 2022 class and quickly proved himself as a true freshman at Ole Miss, earning 10 starts and recording 37 tackles and five pass breakups while allowing just three catches of 20-plus yards. He’s fast and long at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds and has made a big impression on Ohio State’s coaches. Their cornerback play should be much improved this fall thanks to this pickup.

10. RB Carson Steele, Ball State → UCLA

The power back only had one FBS scholarship offer out of high school but made a name for himself in 2022, finishing No. 8 nationally in rushing with 1,556 yards and 14 TDs. Steele got better as the season wore on, going from 102 rushing yards per game in the first month to 120 in the second month and all the way up to 167 by the final month of the season. The 6-foot-1, 233-pound junior should be a terrific fit in Chip Kelly’s offense as Zach Charbonnet’s replacement. Steele is ridiculously strong, bench pressing 450 pounds and squatting almost 700, but he also has terrific burst and has clocked almost 21 mph on the GPS.

“He’s so explosive, twitchy and low to the ground,” UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu said. “That strength definitely transfers over to the field.”

11. WR J.Michael Sturdivant, Cal → UCLA

Sturdivant burned the Bruins in Cal’s season finale last year for five catches and 70 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown, as part of a terrific Freshman All-America season. The 6-foot-3, 206-pound Texan led the Bears with 65 catches for 755 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s the most talented receiver UCLA has had in the Kelly era in Westwood. Sturdivant has been timed at 23.3 mph on the GPS and will certainly stretch the field but has also shown the ability to go get balls in traffic.

12. DL Braden Fiske, Western Michigan → Florida State

The MAC-to-ACC transition has been no problem at all for Fiske. He’s a relentless 6-foot-5, 300-pound rusher who’s actually one of the Seminoles’ three fastest defensive linemen, according to one coach. He’s going to be a problem for offenses, the coach added, and opposing linemen are going to be sick of him by the end of games. The sixth-year senior and three-year starter was one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the country last season at Western Michigan with 59 tackles, 48 pressures, 12 TFLs, six sacks, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles, according to PFF.

13. OL Matt Lee, UCF → Miami (Fla.)

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound lineman has exceeded expectations as a difference-maker up front for the Hurricanes. Lee emerged as an All-AAC player for the Knights in 2020 as a redshirt freshman and developed into one of their top offensive talents and a 36-game starter. He played more than 1,000 snaps last season and finished No. 3 among all FBS starting centers in PFF grading. Coach Mario Cristobal has said Lee “embodies everything you want in a center” and loves the leadership and accountability he’s provided for the Canes’ rebuilt O-line.

14. QB Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State → Colorado

Coach Prime’s son can play. In two seasons, he led Jackson State to its first two SWAC titles since 2007. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior had a 70-to-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio at the FCS level and rushed for nine more scores. In 2022, Sanders was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Year after he threw for 3,752 yards with 40 touchdowns and just six picks. He’ll be a welcome sight for a program that ranked dead last in the Pac-12 and No. 127 nationally in scoring at 15.4 points per game. Colorado’s new assistants have been impressed with how cerebral the younger Sanders is. They say he not only processes quickly but also pairs it with tremendous accuracy. It’ll help that one of the Buffaloes’ other team strengths will be the playmaking skill of their rebuilt receiving corps.

15. QB Brennan Armstrong, Virginia → NC State

It’s easy to see the upside with Armstrong this season. If the super senior can play like he did in 2021, he’ll make the Wolfpack a contender. Armstrong finished No. 2 nationally in passing yards per game that year, throwing for a whopping 4,449 yards with 31 TDs and 10 interceptions. His 2022 season was challenging on multiple fronts, but a reunion with offensive coordinator Robert Anae and a return to the scheme that made him so prolific inspires optimism. Armstrong is a tough competitor with good tools who can play fast but needs to cut down on turnovers to have a productive year.

16. OLB Steve Linton, Syracuse → Texas Tech

Texas Tech’s recruiting staff believed they found a hidden gem in Linton, and now the secret is getting out. The 6-foot-4 senior spent four years at Syracuse and recorded six TFLs and 3.5 sacks last season as a 4i defensive end playing at just 219 pounds. He’s now up to 235 pounds and looks like an ideal fit to play more of a standup edge role in Tim DeRuyter’s scheme. Coaches say Linton is a twitchy athlete with long 34 1/2-inch arms and tons of pass rush ability. After Tyree Wilson became a top-10 pick under this staff, NFL scouts are going to be watching Linton closely. He’s the No. 8 senior edge rusher in Brugler’s preseason rankings.

17. OL Josh Simmons, San Diego State → Ohio State

Buckeyes offensive line coach Justin Frye knew that Simmons was pretty gifted back when he first watched him as a recruit. Back then, Frye was a coach at UCLA and Simmons was a four-star prospect. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder started at right tackle last season and began to blossom for the Aztecs, and he hasn’t disappointed since coming to Columbus. His agility, ability to bend and balance is the stuff of a future NFL tackle, and he has shown enough to not only get shifted to left tackle but win the job, replacing All-American Paris Johnson.

18. LB Mason Cobb, Oklahoma State → USC

The Trojans have a bunch of transfers who were ranked much higher coming out of high school than Cobb, a former three-star linebacker who was the No. 71 inside linebacker in the 2020 class, but this is the transfer who has generated the most buzz inside the USC program this offseason. The 6-foot, 235-pounder led the Cowboys in tackles last season with 96 stops and 13 TFLs to earn second-team All-Big 12 recognition. USC coaches say he has provided a big shot in the arm of their defense. Cobb plays fast and physical all the time and has already been voted a team captain. He’s exactly what the Trojans’ inconsistent defense was missing in Year 1 under Lincoln Riley.

19. OLB Jalen McLeod, Appalachian State → Auburn

McLeod has earned rave reviews from Auburn coaches and staffers since arriving on campus this summer. The 6-foot-1, 237-pound junior showed big-time potential as a pass rusher last season at App State, logging 37 pressures on just 382 snaps according to PFF, and has nine sacks over 30 career games. In Ron Roberts’ defense, he looked like one of Auburn’s best players during training camp. “He’s a rock star,” one staffer said. “He will shock some people.”

20. TE Jaheim Bell, South Carolina → Florida State

Florida State’s offense looks loaded heading into 2023, and Bell ought to be a fascinating chess piece. The 6-foot-3, 239-pound junior proved he can do a little bit of everything with 56 catches, 80 carries, 1,058 total yards and 10 career TDs at South Carolina. The Seminoles are going to move him all over the place and create mismatches with the trio of Bell, Coleman and Wilson.

21. WR Devontez Walker, Kent State → North Carolina

If Walker is eligible to play this season, he’ll have a chance to be as productive and impactful as any wideout in this transfer cycle. The 6-foot-2 1/2, 200-pound junior has wowed North Carolina coaches with his length, speed and hands and established himself as Drake Maye’s No. 1 target going into the season. The preseason All-ACC selection made a name for himself last year at Kent State, ranking No. 2 in the MAC in receiving yardage with 921 yards and 11 TDs on 58 receptions. But because Walker has transferred multiple times in his career, the NCAA denied his waiver for immediate eligibility. Since he’s still awaiting a verdict on his appeal, we’ve decided to include Walker in the top 100.

22. DL Trajan Jeffcoat, Missouri → Arkansas

Jeffcoat wowed Arkansas coaches in training camp and looks like he’ll make an instant impact for the Razorbacks’ defense. “We can’t block him,” one staffer said. The 6-foot-4, 281-pound pass rusher produced 84 tackles, 19 TFLs and 11.5 sacks with the Tigers and earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2020. He’s a sixth-year senior whose combination of speed and power has really stood out for his new squad. The Razorbacks have reloaded via the portal yet again and could have eight or more transfers in the starting lineup to begin the season.

23. WR Tre Harris, Louisiana Tech → Ole Miss

Don’t be surprised if Harris is the Rebels’ No. 1 wideout this fall. He took a big step last year in his second season as a starter, catching 65 passes for 935 yards and 10 TDs and earning first-team All-Conference USA honors. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior was limited in spring practice but proved to be tough to cover in training camp and should see a ton of targets in the Rebels’ passing attack.

24. Edge Josaiah Stewart, Coastal Carolina → Michigan

Stewart made a name for himself right away at Coastal Carolina as a Freshman All-American and All-Sun Belt defender who produced 25.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over his first two seasons. In the Wolverines’ loaded defense, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound junior should get lots of opportunities to rush the passer, and his explosiveness has evoked comparisons to Josh Uche among coaches. Stewart is a top-10 underclassman edge prospect in Brugler’s preseason 2024 draft rankings.

25. WR Dont’e Thornton Jr., Oregon → Tennessee

Thornton has an opportunity to do a lot of damage in Tennessee’s wide-open offense. The 6-foot-5, 214-pound junior started five games in his two seasons at Oregon and averaged a team-best 21.5 yards per catch in 2022. The Vols need to replace the production of NFL Draft picks Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman and should lean on Thornton and his freaky combination of size and speed.

26. Safety Andre’ Sam, Tulane → LSU

Sam has moved from McNeese State to Marshall to a brief stop at Tulane and now LSU and has made 48 college starts along the way with 232 career tackles and seven interceptions. The secondary is the biggest question mark for the Tigers’ defense. In Sam, they’re getting a really smart, tough player who can run the alley, support the run and has proven to be an outstanding tackler in space.

27. WR Jimmy Horn Jr., USF → Colorado

Horn was the first Colorado player to earn his jersey number in the spring because he’s everything Coach Prime and his staff were looking for in the transfer portal. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound playmaker pairs serious speed (he clocked a 4.38 in the 40 this offseason) with a serious mentality and work ethic. Horn put up 959 receiving yards and six total TDs in two seasons at USF and was also a first-team All-AAC selection as a kick returner. He has put in the work to become a more complete receiver and is sure to be a favorite target for Shedeur Sanders.

28. WR Dorian Singer, Arizona → USC

With the Trojans’ depth at wide receiver, it’ll probably be tough for Singer to match his production from his final season at Arizona (66 catches for 1,105 yards and six TDs), but he’ll be a force in Riley’s offense given his ridiculous ability to contort his body to make all sorts of catches. The 6-foot, 180-pound junior doesn’t have blazing speed but does have terrific hands and body control, something the Trojans learned last year when he burned them for seven catches, 141 yards and three scores.

29. TE CJ Dippre, Maryland → Alabama

New Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees needed more help at tight end to install his offense, and the staff found a gem in Dippre. The 6-foot-5, 257-pound junior hauled in 30 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns in his first season as a starter at Maryland. Coach Nick Saban has praised him as a “mismatch player” in the passing game who has made a lot of improvement this offseason.

30. TE Caden Prieskorn, Memphis → Ole Miss

Prieskorn has wowed the Rebels’ coaching staff so far and gives their offense another valuable playmaker. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior was a second-team All-AAC selection last season after catching 48 passes for 602 yards and seven scores. His NFL frame and ability to block and catch already has him on scouts’ radar and No. 3 on Brugler’s preseason list of top senior tight end prospects.

31. DB Jaylen Key, UAB → Alabama

When Trent Dilfer’s new staff arrived at UAB, they knew the 6-foot-2, 210-pound DB was a big-time talent and that they might lose him. Key logged 60 tackles last season with 4.5 TFLs, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. He opted to enter the portal in the spring, and the Crimson Tide are glad he did. Last year, Alabama ranked No. 11 in the SEC in interceptions with just seven – their fewest in over a decade. Key should help raise that total. Coaches say he has wasted little time proving that he’s smart, tough and can really cover.

32. LB Omar Speights, Oregon State → LSU

Speights was one of the top linebackers in the Pac-12 and is ready to prove himself all over again in the SEC. He’s a 6-foot, 239-pound super senior who was a four-year starter for the Beavers, racking up more than 300 career tackles and first-team all-conference honors. He’s poised to be an impact player and leader for the Tigers’ defense.

33. DL Anthony Lucas, Texas A&M → USC

Lucas was one of the many five-stars in the Aggies’ No. 1 recruiting class of 2022 and moved on after appearing in seven games as a freshman. USC coaches are counting on him to be one of the players who helps replace the production of Tuli Tuipulotu, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year who racked up 22 TFLs and 13.5 sacks last season. Lucas has intriguing potential and excellent length at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. “He’s really physically gifted and a great kid,” one Trojan assistant told The Athletic this week.

34. DL Bear Alexander, Georgia → USC

In limited snaps, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound former five-star recruit had nine tackles, two sacks and 11 pressures for the national champs. The Trojans haven’t had an interior D-lineman with this much potential in a while, perhaps not since Mike Patterson and Sedrick Ellis back in the Pete Carroll era. Alexander arrives with a ton of hype. He’s powerful and explosive, but he wasn’t there for spring practice and has been banged up and sidelined for quite a bit of training camp, so he’s still getting acclimated to a new defense and new teammates.

35. DB Josh Wallace, UMass → Michigan

Wallace started 34 games for the Minutemen and was a three-time captain. Over the past two seasons he has broken up 22 passes and posted seven TFLs and 85 tackles. At Michigan, the 6-foot, 190-pound senior has brought a calm, mature presence and picked up the Wolverines’ defense very quickly.

36. QB Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech → Nebraska

Sims had impressive moments as a true freshman starter at Georgia Tech in 2020 but was only able to make six starts in 2021 and seven last year due to injuries. But new Nebraska coach Matt Rhule was a big believer in his talents and sees serious pro potential in the 6-foot-4, 220-pound passer.

“He’s a triple threat,” Rhule recently told NBC Sports. “He can throw it. He can run it. And he can beat you with his mind as well. He can get to the right play. He’s an NFL player. I think he’s under the radar.”

The Huskers are going to ask a lot of Sims in Year 1 under Rhule. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards at Georgia Tech when you exclude sack yardage, and that dual-threat ability should prove invaluable. If the career 57.5 percent passer can improve his accuracy and consistency, he’ll be a big problem in the Big Ten.

37. RB Treshaun Ward, Florida State → Kansas State

After rushing for more than 1,100 yards and 11 TDs over the past two seasons with the Seminoles, Ward hit the transfer portal in search of a more significant role and found what he was looking for at Kansas State. The Wildcats needed a proven back to replace the electric Deuce Vaughn and complement rising sophom*ore DJ Giddens. The preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year’s speed and change of direction have impressed so far.

38. OL Walter Rouse, Stanford → Oklahoma

Rouse had to move into the starting lineup right away as a true freshman and developed into a quality four-year starter for Stanford. The 6-foot-6, 322-pound super senior brings more than 2,500 career snaps of playing experience to the table for the Sooners and is the plug-and-play starter they needed at left tackle to replace first-round draft pick Anton Harrison.

39. RB Alton McCaskill, Houston → Colorado

McCaskill got off to a terrific start as a true freshman at Houston, earning AAC Rookie of the Year honors after producing 961 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021. A torn ACL suffered last spring forced him to sit out a redshirt season, but the 6-foot-1, 200-pound rusher is ready to run again. He’s close to 100 percent healthy, still flashes the same burst he had as a first-year player and should be the featured back in the Buffaloes’ offense.

40. LB Keenan Pili, BYU → Tennessee

The 25-year-old linebacker began his career at BYU as a freshman in 2016 before leaving for a two-year mission and rejoining the program in 2019. Pili developed into a 24-game starter and two-time team captain for the Cougars who totaled 190 career tackles. Coaches say the 6-foot-3, 240-pound grad transfer has quickly established himself as a major leader for the Vols’ defense.

41. LB Dasan McCullough, Indiana → Oklahoma

McCullough flashed big-time potential in his true freshman season at Indiana and earned Freshman All-America honors after putting up 49 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and four sacks. He departed at the end of the season and joined his younger brother, Daeh, in picking the Sooners. The 6-foot-5, 227-pound edge defender can line up in a variety of roles and is going to become a big problem in Brent Venables’ defense.

42. QB Kedon Slovis, Pitt → BYU

Like a lot of guys on this list, the 22-year-old Slovis has been on quite the roller coaster ride in his college career. The former three-star recruit had a spectacular freshman season at USC, breaking Andrew Luck’s NCAA freshman record by completing 71.9 percent of his passes. Slovis threw for over 3,500 yards that year with a 30-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. As a sophom*ore, he was voted team captain and made first-team All-Pac-12. In 2021, the Trojans bottomed out under Clay Helton and Slovis was banged up for much of the year. He transferred to Pitt, which proved to be a bad fit. Slovis threw for 2,400 yards last season with just 10 TDs and nine interceptions. He showed up at BYU very determined to prove himself. His new coaches have loved what they’ve seen and believe he can be as good or better than Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall.

43. QB Hudson Card, Texas → Purdue

Card may be one of the transfer QBs in this cycle who benefits most from a change in scenery. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound redshirt junior is ready to fully prove what he can do. He won the starting job at Texas going into 2021 but couldn’t hold on to it. Card got back on the field early last season when Quinn Ewers was knocked out of the Alabama game and played well despite an ankle injury, throwing for 899 yards with six touchdowns and one interception during his four-game stretch as starter. He has quickly won over his new team and was voted a team captain heading into coach Ryan Walters’ debut season.

44. OL John Campbell Jr., Miami (Fla.) → Tennessee

Campbell enjoyed a good bounce-back season last year, recovering from a season-ending torn ACL suffered in 2021 and starting all 12 games at left tackle for the Hurricanes. He’s just what the Volunteers needed for that position and has impressed coaches with his athleticism as a 6-foot-5, 320-pound pass protector.

45. WR Theo Wease Jr., Oklahoma → Missouri

The Tigers’ staff knew Wease was gifted, but after watching him in camp, they’re sold on the former five-star recruit being exactly what they needed. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout caught 37 passes for 530 yards last season but looks poised for bigger things this fall. Wease will start at ‘X’ receiver, giving the Tigers a big-play threat downfield who can go up and get the ball and pick up yardage after the catch.

46. WR Dante Cephas, Kent State → Penn State

Cephas was incredibly productive in his last two seasons at Kent State, producing a total of 130 catches for 1,984 yards and 12 touchdowns and twice earning first-team All-MAC honors. That made him one of the most coveted wideouts in the portal this offseason, and the Pittsburgh native opted to come back to his home state to finish his college career. There’s enough talent among the Nittany Lions’ receivers that he might not put up those monster numbers this fall, but he’ll certainly boost the offense of a squad with preseason top-10 expectations.

47. WR Dominic Lovett, Missouri → Georgia

The 5-foot-10, 179-pound speedster played right away for the Tigers and put together a strong sophom*ore campaign with a team-high 56 receptions for 846 yards and three touchdowns. He has made a good impression so far in Athens with the back-to-back champs and is looking to become a more complete receiver as a junior. Georgia has Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey and quite a few talented pass catchers returning, so Lovett and fellow transfer Rara Thomas will have to earn their opportunities. Both offer SEC experience and make their receiver room better.

48. LB Mike Smith Jr., Liberty → Baylor

Tough, smart and fast, the 6-foot-1, 240-pound Liberty transfer led the Flames with 85 tackles to go with 10 TFLs and three forced fumbles in 2022. Smith has looked like Baylor’s best defensive player in training camp. Coaches say he has changed their defense and really shined.

49. LB Francisco Mauigoa, Washington State → Miami (Fla.)

The Canes needed a lot of help at linebacker, and the big brother of their prized offensive tackle recruit, Francis Mauigoa, has looked even better than they’d hoped. At Washington State, he made 60 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, forced three fumbles and had a 95-yard pick-six in 2022. Miami DC Lance Guidry loves how quickly Mauigoa processes and diagnoses plays, and he has shown great timing on his blitzes. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior has the versatility to play inside or outside.

50. WR John Paul Richardson, Oklahoma State → TCU

The son of Texas A&M great Bucky Richardson had 49 catches for 503 yards and four TDs last season as a team captain for the Cowboys. Richardson is part of what Sonny Dykes said is the best group of receivers he’s ever been around. Dykes sees a lot of former Texas Tech star Danny Amendola in the 6-foot, 190-pound wideout, who plays fast, runs precise routes and has great ball skills.

51. RB Marquez Cooper, Kent State → Ball State

Kent State coach Sean Lewis leaving to become Deion Sanders’ offensive coordinator at Colorado prompted an exodus of talented Golden Flashes players entering the transfer portal and moving on to Power 5 schools. Cooper stayed in the MAC after an all-conference-caliber season in which the 5-foot-8, 184-pound back rushed for 1,326 yards and 13 TDs. Coach Mike Neu loves Cooper’s toughness and vision and said he sees a lot of similarities to Darren Sproles, whom he worked with during his time with the New Orleans Saints.

52. QB Jack Plummer, Cal → Louisville
53. DL Tunmise Adeleye, Texas A&M → Michigan State
54. OL Clark Barrington, BYU → Baylor
55. RB Sean Tyler, Western Michigan → Minnesota
56. WR Bryson Green, Oklahoma State → Wisconsin
57. QB Payton Thorne, Michigan State → Auburn
58. RB Ray Davis, Vanderbilt → Kentucky
59. DL Andre Carter, Western Michigan → Indiana

Carter could end up being one of the steals of this portal cycle. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound super senior racked up 28 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks at Western Michigan, earning All-MAC honors in 2022. He’s proven to be a disruptive force right away who should upgrade the Hoosiers’ pass rush.

60. OL Jarrett Kingston, Washington State → USC
61. DE Ovie Oghoufo, Texas → LSU
62. TE Rivaldo Fairweather, FIU → Auburn
63. DB Jordan Anderson, Bowling Green → UCLA
64. QB Cade McNamara, Michigan → Iowa
65. LB Nick Jackson, Virginia → Iowa
66. WR Jayden Higgins, Eastern Kentucky → Iowa State
67. WR Keagan Johnson, Iowa → Kansas State
68. DB Fentrell Cypress II, Virginia → Florida State

You’re rarely going to find defenders as proven as Cypress in the transfer portal. The All-ACC veteran performed like one of the best cover corners in the FBS last season. He allowed just 18 catches for 179 yards with no TDs and nine pass breakups on 40 targets, according to Pro Football Focus, grading out fifth-best among all returning starters.

69. QB Donovan Smith, Texas Tech → Houston
70. DB Tony Grimes, North Carolina → Texas A&M
71. DB Patrick McMorris, San Diego State → Cal
72. DB Evan Williams, Fresno State → Oregon
73. RB Aidan Robbins, UNLV → BYU
74. DB Jalen Catalon, Arkansas → Texas
75. WR Andrel Anthony, Michigan → Oklahoma

Anthony flashed at times in his two seasons at Michigan, catching six passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan State as a freshman and scoring a 35-yard TD against Georgia in the College Football Playoff, but he finished with just 19 catches during his time in Ann Arbor. A fresh start at Oklahoma has been a positive for him so far, and coaches say Anthony has raised expectations with a strong training camp. With Dillon Gabriel piloting the Sooners’ passing attack, Anthony looks primed for a breakout season. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound wideout has impressive lateral quickness and has responded to the challenge to play faster and tougher.

76. RB Bhayshul Tuten, North Carolina A&T → Virginia Tech

The Hokies didn’t have a back run for even 500 yards last season. Enter the 5-11, 200-pound transfer from North Carolina A&T who rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns and also caught 31 passes. Tuten was excellent in the spring for the Hokies but has been slowed a bit in camp by a minor injury. Still, he’s one to watch. Tuten is explosive and “makes the camera shake when he runs,” according to one of his former coaches who raved about Tuten’s ability to pile up yards late in games.

77. OL Ajani Cornelius, Rhode Island → Oregon
78. OL Dillon Wade, Tulsa → Auburn
79. TE Erick All, Michigan → Iowa
80. OLB Daniel Grzesiak, Utah State → Cincinnati
81. Safety Daijahn Anthony, Liberty → Ole Miss
82.WR Andrew Armstrong, Texas A&M-Commerce → Arkansas
83. QB DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson → Oregon State
84. QB Graham Mertz, Wisconsin → Florida
85. DB Bralyn Lux, Fresno State → Texas Tech
86. RB MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina → USC

Even though he only started eight games in three years for the Gameco*cks, the 5-foot-9, 210-pound junior brings big-play potential and has displayed a lot of elusiveness and burst that excites staffers inside the program. Lloyd ran for 573 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022. He ought to improve on those numbers in the Trojans’ high-scoring offense.

87. OL Victor Curne, Washington → Ole Miss
88. RB Dillon Johnson, Mississippi State → Washington
89. DL Shane co*kes, Dartmouth → Colorado
90. DL Trace Ford, Oklahoma State → Oklahoma
91. WR Jack Bech, LSU → TCU
92. WR Montana Lemonious-Craig, Colorado → Arizona
93. WR Jimmy Calloway, Tennessee → Louisville

Calloway only caught nine passes over 20 games at Tennessee, but coaches say he’s ready to have a breakthrough season at Louisville. The 6-foot, 190-pound sophom*ore is fast, strong and hard to tackle. He’s the kind of talent Jeff Brohm has excelled at showcasing in his offense. Expect Calloway to be a playmaker for the Cardinals at ‘X’ receiver.

94. WR Devin Carter, NC State → West Virginia
95. DL Eyabi Okie-Anoma, Michigan → Charlotte
96. OL Logan Taylor, Virginia → Boston College
97. OL Nick Gargiulo, Yale → South Carolina
98. RB Cameron Skattebo, Sacramento State → Arizona State
99. Safety Jonathan McGill, Stanford → SMU
100. DB Simeon Blair, Arkansas → Memphis

(Top illustration: Eamonn Dalton for The Athletic; Photos: Tim Warner, Quinn Harris, Andy Cross / Getty Images)