College football transfer portal best available rankings: Latest on Evan Stewart, Cam Ward

May 08, 2024

The 2023-24 transfer portal cycle is heating up with more than 1,500 scholarship college football players already in the portal at the FBS level. So far, more than 500 have announced commitments. The next few weeks of the 30-day winter transfer window are going to be intense, with a flurry of new entries and pledges.

The portal can be dizzying to follow. In an effort to help you keep track of who’s going where and which top transfers are still on the market, The Athletic ranks the best available players in the portal.

Transfers are ranked based on their experience, production, potential, interest they’re generating and feedback from coaches throughout the country. This is a fluid list that we’ll constantly update as players make decisions, so be sure to keep this one bookmarked.

1. WR Evan Stewart, Texas A&M: The sophomore playmaker was one of the most anticipated portal entries of this cycle. Stewart, a five-star recruit and the No. 2 receiver in the class of 2022, was one of the SEC’s most exciting young wideouts and caught 91 passes for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns in his two seasons in College Station. He earned Freshman All-America and SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2022 and was leading the Aggies in receptions this season before he missed three of their last four games. Stewart will have an opportunity to be one of the most impactful transfers of this offseason no matter where he goes next.

2. QB Cameron Ward, Washington State: Ward was one of the best available players in the portal when he left FCS Incarnate Word at the end of the 2021 season. Two years later, he’s back on the market and far more valuable to teams in need of an impact QB. Ward threw for 7,165 yards with 61 total touchdowns and 16 interceptions during his two seasons at Washington State and is No. 4 in the FBS in passing yards per game this season (311.3). The four-year starter could go pro in the coming weeks, but he could play his way into early-round NFL Draft pick status next year if he stays in school and picks the right team and scheme. Ward playing on a College Football Playoff contender with a strong supporting cast would be a lot of fun to watch. This recruitment seems to be turning into a fierce Miami vs. Florida State battle unless Ward opts to take more visits and extend his process.

3. OLB Nic Scourton, Purdue: The 6-foot-4, 280-pound edge defender has big-time size and production and instantly became one of the most coveted players on the transfer market. The Boilermakers signed Scouton out of Bryan, Texas, and developed him into a second-team All-Big Ten performer who led the conference with 10 sacks this season and recorded 50 tackles, 42 pressures, 15 TFLs and three pass breakups as a sophomore. Scourton has two more seasons of eligibility and a ton of programs pursuing him, including Florida State, Louisville, Texas A&M, Missouri, Colorado and Georgia.

4. QB Will Howard, Kansas State: Howard led K-State to a Big 12 championship in 2022 and made 34 career starts over his four seasons in Manhattan. The 6-foot-5, 242-pound senior finished No. 3 in the Big 12 in total offense this season and has accounted for 6,702 total yards and 67 touchdowns with 31 turnovers during his career. Howard’s combination of experience and dual-threat ability has made him one of the more popular QBs in the portal, and he has visited USC and Miami so far.

5. DL Caiden Woullard, Miami (Ohio): The first-team All-MAC defender tied for the conference lead with 9.5 sacks this season and recorded 41 tackles, 58 pressures, 12 TFLs and two blocked kicks. He’s a 6-foot-5, 252-pound defensive end with two years of starting experience, one more season of eligibility and lots of schools interested, including Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana and Minnesota.

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6. DL Jamaree Caldwell, Houston: The 6-foot-1, 330-pound defensive tackle came to Houston as a junior college transfer and flashed exciting potential in two seasons with the Cougars. Caldwell started 10 games this season and was disruptive with 27 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His former position coach Brian Early calls him the best three-technique in the country and a complete player with the potential to become an early draft pick.

7. WR LaJohntay Wester, FAU: Wester was one of the more dynamic wideouts in college football this season. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound senior ranked No. 2 in the FBS in catches this season with 108 and led the AAC with 1,168 receiving yards and eight TDs. Wester also earned AAC Special Teams Player of the Year for averaging 19.9 yards per punt return, including a 67-yard touchdown return. The three-year starter is looking to transfer for his extra season of eligibility.

8. QB DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State: Uiagalelei wasn’t the most coveted QB in the portal when he left Clemson a year ago, but his move to Oregon State really paid off. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound junior had the best season of his career with 2,857 total yards, 27 total touchdowns and seven interceptions and led the Beavers to eight wins and another Top 25 finish in the College Football Playoff rankings. Going pro is still on the table for Uiagalelei, but the chance to go be the QB1 for a contender like Florida State might be tough to pass up.

9. QB Malachi Nelson, USC: Nelson, a five-star from Los Alamitos, Calif., committed to play for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma and flipped to join him at USC. The No. 5 QB in the class of 2023 only got on the field for four snaps during his freshman season while backing up Caleb Williams and Miller Moss. Nelson was hyped as the quarterback of the future for the Trojans, but now Riley is pursuing Kansas State’s Howard and Nelson is in the portal. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound freshman still has four more seasons to live up to the hype at his next school.

10. WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State: Fleming joined the Buckeyes’ star-studded wide receiver room as a five-star recruit out of Pennsylvania who was the No. 1 wideout in the class of 2020. He caught 79 passes for 936 yards and seven touchdowns in his four years at Ohio State but ranked fourth on the team in targets in 2023. Fleming has one more season of eligibility and a chance to be a No. 1 receiver at another program. Could he end up coming home to Penn State?

11. WR Jeremiah Hunter, Cal: The 6-foot-2, 200-pound wideout has been the Bears’ leading receiver in each of the last two seasons and has produced 2,103 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 144 catches during his career. Hunter was also one of the Pac-12’s top punt returners in 2022 and brings valuable all-purpose ability to the table. He has two more seasons of eligibility and should get a lot of calls once he’s officially in the portal.

12. OL Luke Newman, Holy Cross: Here’s an FCS grad transfer that several Power 5 programs have circled as having the stuff to be a steal. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound senior has been a two-time All-American at that level as well as a first-team All-Patriot League performer for three consecutive seasons. Newman graded out as the No. 1 starting left tackle in the FCS this year according to PFF and could go pro but is weighing his options with lots of offers coming in.

13. DL Anton Juncaj, Albany: Two years ago, Albany defensive end Jared Verse became one of the most coveted players in the portal. Now Juncaj is hoping for similar success. The 6-foot-3, 273-pound senior earned FCS All-America honors this season and is a Buck Buchanan Award finalist after racking up 55 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 15 sacks and five forced fumbles in 15 games. The FCS sack leader has one more season of eligibility and has picked up more than a dozen Power 5 offers.

14. CB Tyreek Chappell, Texas A&M: Chappell, a three-star signee from Philadelphia, got on the field right away as a freshman and became a three-year starter for the Aggies. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back made The Athletic’s Freshman All-America squad in 2021 and has recorded 106 tackles, 24 pass breakups and two interceptions in his career. Oregon, Georgia and Syracuse are reportedly among the schools in the mix.

15. QB KJ Jefferson, Arkansas: Jefferson is another experienced starter who could go pro but is exploring his portal options. If he stays in school, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound veteran would be a sixth-year senior in 2024. Jefferson started 38 games for the Razorbacks and produced 7,911 passing yards and 1,876 rushing yards with 88 total touchdowns and 29 turnovers. His belated entry to the portal is an interesting wrinkle for teams on the QB market who are more interested in a one-year addition.

16. RB Peny Boone, Toledo: The 6-foot-1, 235-pound redshirt junior spent two seasons as a reserve at Maryland before joining Toledo in 2022. This season, Boone took his game to another level and earned MAC Offensive Player of the Year after producing a league-high 1,400 rushing yards on 7.2 yards per carry plus 219 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns for a Rockets squad that won 11 games. After finally having that breakout year, Boone is looking to move back up for his final season of eligibility.

17. CB AJ Harris, Georgia: Harris, a top-50 recruit from Alabama in the Class of 2023, appeared in five games during his freshman season and played a total of 89 snaps as a reserve. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back visited Auburn soon after entering the portal and could be heading home to continue his career.

18. DL Elijah Alston, Marshall: The 6-foot-2, 256-pound edge defender earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors this season after recording 45 tackles, 36 pressures, 11.5 TFLs, six sacks and two forced fumbles for the Herd. He also got to show off his wheels with an 85-yard pick six against Old Dominion. Alston finished as the third-best edge player in the FBS in PFF grading and is quickly loading up on Power 5 offers since entering the portal ahead of his final season of eligibility.

19. TE Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford: Yurosek proved to be one of the top tight ends in the Pac-12, continuing the Cardinal tradition of excellence at that position. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound senior has caught 108 passes for 1,342 yards and five TDs over the last three years. That puts him in elite company with only three FBS tight ends who have more receiving yards in that span: Georgia’s Brock Bowers, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid. The All-Pac-12 performer will have plenty of options for his final season of eligibility.

20. TE Corey Dyches, Maryland: Dyches, a redshirt junior, ranked fourth among all FBS tight ends with 49 receptions this season and turned them into 491 yards and two TDs for the Terps. The third-team All-Big Ten pick might not have prototypical size (6 foot 2, 220 pounds) but has been one of the conference’s most productive tight ends. Dyches offers versatility as an in-line tight end or in the slot and has two more seasons of eligibility.

Previously ranked

1. DL Walter Nolen, Texas A&M to Ole Miss: There was little debate among Power 5 recruiting and personnel staffers surveyed by The Athletic that Nolen is the best player in the portal.

The former No. 2 overall recruit from Tennessee was the highest-rated signee in Texas A&M’s historic 2022 recruiting class and has played up to expectations in his two seasons in College Station, starting 14 games and producing 66 tackles, 33 pressures, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman has first-round pick potential and two more seasons of eligibility. Rarely do you see players of his caliber become available in the portal, but the Aggies’ coaching change and the departure of defensive line coach Elijah Robinson to Syracuse prompted Nolen to explore his options.

4. RB Trevor Etienne, Florida to Georgia: Etienne lived up to the hype as an instant difference-maker for the Gators, with 1,710 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns in his first two seasons. The younger brother of Jaguars star Travis Etienne Jr. has forced 70 missed tackles as a rusher and gained 987 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.

5. OLB Trey Moore, UTSA to Texas: Moore was a Freshman All-American for the Roadrunners in 2022 and took the next big step this fall in becoming the AAC’s Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound edge rusher ranked No. 3 in the FBS this season in sacks (14) and eighth in tackles for loss (17.5) and has been credited with 77 total pressures over the past two seasons according to PFF. Moore has two more seasons of eligibility and chose Texas over Alabama and Ohio State, among others.

5. LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia to Kentucky: The junior inside linebacker was one of the best players on Georgia’s national championship defense in 2022 in his first season as a starter, recording 70 tackles, 26 pressures, nine TFLs and four sacks to earn All-America honors and become a finalist for the Butkus Award. Dumas-Johnson made 24 consecutive starts before a forearm injury forced him to miss the Bulldogs’ last four games this season. True freshman C.J. Allen replaced him in the starting lineup, and now Dumas-Johnson has made a move for his final season of eligibility.

5. OL Cayden Green, Oklahoma to Missouri: This was one of the more surprising transfer portal decisions of the month. Green, a top-100 recruit, moved into the starting lineup for five of the Sooners’ last six games as a true freshman and looked poised to be a major talent to build around up front.

6. CB Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State to Ole Miss: The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior was one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC this season and is looking to boost his NFL Draft stock by staying in school. Richardson graded out as the third-best starting corner in the SEC according to PFF with seven pass breakups and just two touchdowns allowed and also led all corners in the conference with 79 tackles.

7. QB Dante Moore, UCLA to Oregon: The five-star signee was a massive recruiting win for UCLA and looked poised to be the Bruins’ QB1 for years to come. Moore moved into the starting lineup in Week 2 and earned five starts during his debut season but went through struggles like many true freshman starters do. He threw for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns but also had nine interceptions (including three pick sixes), three fumbles and 27 sacks. At Oregon, he may get a chance to redshirt behind Dillon Gabriel and prepare to shine in 2025.

7. OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M (withdrew): It’s never easy to be a starting right tackle in the SEC as a true freshman, and Bisontis went through his fair share of struggles against that fierce competition in his lone season with the Aggies. But the 6-foot-6, 320-pound lineman, a top-50 recruit from New Jersey, has the size and skill to be great as a tackle or guard and did pick up Freshman All-America recognition for his efforts. He elected to withdraw his name from the transfer portal on Dec. 19.

7. QB Maalik Murphy, Texas to Duke: Murphy is a big dude at 6 foot 5 and 238 pounds with a big arm and a ton of upside. The redshirt freshman from California has only played 177 snaps in college but has put enough on tape to inspire excitement that he can be an impact player. Murphy went 2-0 as the Longhorns’ starter this year to keep them in the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff hunt while Quinn Ewers was sidelined with an injury. He made some big-time throws against BYU and Kansas State in passing for 418 yards and three scores but also tossed three interceptions. Murphy’s raw potential and three years of remaining eligibility make him extremely intriguing.

8. WR Antwane Wells Jr., South Carolina to Ole Miss: “Juice” Wells transferred up from James Madison to South Carolina going into 2022 and had an impressive debut season, finishing second in the SEC in catches (68) and fifth in receiving yards (928) with six touchdowns and four 100-yard performances. Three games into this season, he suffered a foot injury against Georgia and missed the rest of the year. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound grad transfer can play two more seasons but should be heading to the NFL after one more big year.

8. DL Princely Umanmielen, Florida to Ole Miss: The 6-foot-4 1/2, 255-pound edge defender developed into a two-year starter for the Gators and was one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the SEC this season with 46 pressures, 11.5 TFLs and seven sacks according to PFF. Umanmielen has one more season of eligibility.

8. DL LT Overton, Texas A&M to Alabama: Overton, another five-star signee from Texas A&M’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2022, is in the portal after playing 543 snaps over his first two seasons in College Station. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman was a rotational player on the Aggies’ loaded D-line and is transferring to find the right role and program following the Aggies’ coaching change.

8. CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky (withdrew): Stout is undersized at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, but coaches love how he plays and what he put on tape at Western Kentucky. After spending two seasons at North Texas, he joined the Hilltoppers and developed into a two-year starter who recorded 73 tackles, five interceptions (including two pick sixes) and 10 pass breakups and only allowed two touchdowns over 520 snaps in coverage, according to PFF.

9. WR Colbie Young, Miami to Georgia: After transferring in from the junior college ranks, Young played two seasons at Miami and caught 79 passes for 939 yards and 10 touchdowns.

9. RB Jo’Quavious Marks, Mississippi State to USC: “Woody” Marks has been one of the more productive backs in the SEC in his four seasons as a starter, accounting for 3,108 yards from scrimmage and 27 total touchdowns on 5 yards per touch. He led all SEC backs in receiving yards during his three seasons playing in Mike Leach’s offense and has a chance to boost his draft stock as part of Lincoln Riley’s attack.

11. S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson to Texas: Mukuba moved into the starting lineup right away for the Tigers and was the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American in 2021. The 6-foot, 195-pound defensive back turned into a three-year starter who logged 149 tackles and 20 pass breakups. Now the Austin, Texas, native is coming home to join the Longhorns.

11. WR Matthew Golden, Houston to Texas: The four-star recruit stayed home to play for Houston and flashed the talent to be a real difference-maker for the Cougars. Golden caught 76 passes for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns over his first two seasons and was also one of the most dangerous kick returners in the country this season, taking two back for touchdowns. The 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore opted to transfer after Houston’s coaching change.

11. S Kamari Ramsey, UCLA to USC: The 6-foot-1, 205-pound defensive back moved into UCLA’s starting lineup as a redshirt freshman and had a good year with 40 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, four pass breakups and an interception in 11 games while grading out as the third-best safety in the Pac-12 according to PFF.

12. WR London Humphreys, Vanderbilt to Georgia: Humphreys, a three-star signee from Nashville, showed off serious speed and potential as a true freshman. The 6-foot-3, 186-pound wideout caught 22 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns in his debut season with two 100-yard performances.

14. CB Jermod McCoy, Oregon State to Tennessee: McCoy, a three-star true freshman from Texas, has emerged as one of the most coveted defensive backs in the portal. The 6-foot, 180-pound corner logged four starts and 410 snaps in his debut season with the Beavers and finished with 31 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions. Coaches are excited about his long-term potential, and McCoy picked up a ton of Power 5 offers after entering the portal.

15. DL Tyler Baron, Tennessee to Ole Miss: The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior from Knoxville has been a productive edge rusher for the Vols for three years and is coming off his best season yet with 28 tackles, 41 pressures, 10.5 TFLs and six sacks. Baron has one more season of eligibility.

17. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tulane to Tennessee: The 6-foot-5, 195-pound wideout from Texas led the Green Wave with 44 catches for 711 yards and five touchdowns during his redshirt freshman season and drew a ton of Power 5 interest after entering the portal during Tulane’s coaching change.

17. OL Febechi Nwaiwu, North Texas to Oklahoma: The 6-foot-4, 316-pound lineman began his career as a walk-on and quickly proved himself as a Freshman All-American. After becoming a two-year starter at right guard and grading out as one of the top guards in the AAC according to PFF, Nwaiwu earned several Power 5 offers.

18. DL Joey Slackman, Penn to Florida: Few FCS players have been more popular in the portal than Slackman. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound former wrestler was a first-team All-Ivy selection this season after logging 50 tackles, 12 TFLs and four sacks in nine games. Now the senior is ready to see whether he can make the move up.

20. OLB Marvin Jones Jr., Georgia to Florida State: Jones, a five-star recruit in the 2022 class from Florida, played 237 snaps as a rotational player for the Bulldogs during his sophomore season and earned his first career start in the SEC title game. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound edge defender recorded 12 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble in his limited action and is ready for a more significant role.

20. QB Will Rogers, Mississippi State to Washington: Rogers, a 40-game starter for the Bulldogs, had a very productive run leading Mike Leach’s Air Raid attack and has put up more than 12,000 passing yards in his career, with 96 total touchdowns and 37 turnovers. The SEC’s passing leader in 2021 and 2022 had a tougher time this season while dealing with a coaching change and a left shoulder injury that forced him to sit out four games. Rogers could be an ideal fit for Kalen DeBoer’s passing attack as a veteran successor to Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr.

22. DB Akili Arnold, Oregon State to USC: The 5-foot-11, 200-pound safety will be a sixth-year senior in 2024 and has accrued 48 games of playing experience. Arnold is coming off his best season yet with 60 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions and graded out as the third-best starting safety in the Pac-12 according to PFF. He and his brother, All-Pac-12 linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, are both valuable veteran pickups.

23. DL Fadil Diggs, Texas A&M to Syracuse: The 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge defender from New Jersey was a two-year starter for the Aggies and recorded 36 tackles, 24 pressures, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks this season. Diggs has two more seasons of eligibility, and a reunion with his position coach Elijah Robinson at Syracuse, where Robinson is the new defensive coordinator, makes sense after his younger brother, Fatim, committed to play for the Orange.

24. S Kobe Savage, Kansas State to Oregon: The Wildcats found a gem in Savage, a former junior college transfer who came in and made an immediate impact as a two-year starter at safety. The 5-foot-11, 207-pound senior was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023 after recording 57 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and three interceptions. Oregon has emerged as the clear frontrunner in this recruitment.

25. LB Jaishawn Barham, Maryland to Michigan: The 6-foot-4, 233-pound linebacker was a two-year starter for the Terps who moved into the starting lineup right away as a true freshman and earned second-team Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic last season. Barham has recorded 95 career tackles, 41 pressures, 9.5 TFLs and seven sacks and should be a difference-maker for his next team. Michigan is reportedly one school to keep an eye on here.

(Photo of Evan Stewart: Logan Riely / Getty Images)

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