College Football Preseason 2024 All-Transfer Portal Team
Check out the top faces in new places heading into the 2024 college football season
The transfer portal has become an essential part of the college football landscape. Any program looking to remain competitive in the modern era must capitalize on the transfer window to bring in proven talent and quickly replace graduating or transferring contributors. Today, we’ll discuss some of the transfers who will make the largest impact in 2024.
I included First and Second Team selections in this project to mirror what you would see in a traditional All-Conference Team. I’ve also handed out a few additional accolades and recognitions since there were so many important transfers this year.
The “Also Considered” category is an honorable mention section. “Don’t Count Out” refers to underdog or rebound candidates, and “Small School Transfer” highlights players joining the big leagues from smaller programs.
Before getting into this article, I put a lot of time and effort into researching and watching more than 200 players this summer to help build the Preseason All-Conference and All-America Teams linked below. I would greatly appreciate it if you gave them a look while you’re here.
All-ACC l All-Big Ten l All-Big 12 l All-SEC l All-America
Quarterback: Cameron Ward, Miami
Second Team: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Cameron “Rocket Arm” Ward is joining the best supporting cast of his college career. He goes from a Washington State team held together by duct tape to a premier program with several skill players capable of producing 1,000 yards in a season. Ward has a chance to be Miami’s most notable quarterback since Ken Dorsey (1999-2002).
Several quarterbacks just missed out on the extensive superlative categories, so let’s give quick shout outs to Dequan Finn (Baylor), Gevani McCoy (Oregon State), Maalik Murphy (Duke), Matthew Sluka (UNLV), and Tyler Van Dyke (Wisconsin).
Also Considered: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Don’t Count Out: Will Howard, Ohio State
Small School Transfer: Max Brosmer, Minnesota
Running Back: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Second Team: Damien Martinez, Miami
There were quite a few options at running back but not as electric as Quinshon Judkins. Splitting carries in Ohio State’s talented backfield might limit Judkins’ overall production for the year, but he’s still the most talented running back to change programs over the offseason.
New Kansas State dual-threat Dylan Edwards, San Diego State’s Marquez Cooper, and Boston College’s Treshaun Ward also earned consideration.
Also Considered: Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Don’t Count Out: Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
Small School Transfer: Marcus Carroll, Missouri
Wide Receiver: Evan Stewart, Oregon
Second Team: Antwane Wells Jr., Ole Miss
The train wreck that was the end of the Jimbo Fisher era prevented Evan Stewart and teammate Moose Muhammad III from getting anywhere near their ceilings in 2023. Fortunately, Stewart moved to a much more stable program with Dillon Gabriel, one of the most productive quarterbacks of the past five years.
A couple of other Big Ten additions earned consideration for these wide receiver spots, including Jeremiah Hunter (Washington), Jaden Richardson (USC), and Elijah Sarratt (Indiana).
Also Considered: Sam Brown, Miami
Don’t Count Out: Will Sheppard, Colorado
Small School Transfer: Dymere Miller, Rutgers
Wide Receiver: Isaiah Bond, Texas
Second Team: Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Isaiah Bond showed flashes of what he could become with a more consistent diet of targets at Alabama. With many of Texas’ top pass catchers entering the NFL, Bond should become Quinn Ewers’ top target as the Longhorns prepare for their first season in the SEC.
CJ Daniels (LSU) and Colbie Young (Georgia) were two other recent SEC additions who received consideration.
Also Considered: Matthew Golden, Texas
Don’t Count Out: Elijhah Badger, Florida
Small School Transfer: Robert Lewis, Auburn
Wide Receiver: Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Second Team: Caullin Lacy, Louisville
Chris Brazzell II and quarterback Michael Pratt formed a special combination at Tulane last year. Pratt departing for the NFL and head coach Willie Fritz making the jump to Houston in the Big 12 cleared the path for Brazzell to upgrade his status in the college football world. Despite the presence of Bru McCoy and Squirrel White, Brazzell is the best receiver on the Volunteers.
Other wide receivers who came up in discussions for this article but were left on the cutting room floor include Western Kentucky’s Kisean Johnson, TCU’s Eric McAlister, Notre Dame’s Kris Mitchell, Syracuse’s Justus Ross-Simmons, Utah’s Dorian Singer, and Colorado’s LaJohntay Wester.
Also Considered: Silas Bolden, Texas
Don’t Count Out: Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska
Small School Transfer: Kelly Akharaiyi, Mississippi State
Tight End: Jack Velling, Michigan State
Second Team: Amari Niblack, Texas
Jack Velling followed his old Oregon State coaching staff to Michigan State. The Spartans are far from an offensive powerhouse, which means Velling should get funneled a good amount of targets this year. He’s part of a loaded Big Ten tight end class that will make a collective run at All-American honors.
The transfer portal featured a stacked tight end group, including Maliq Carr (Houston), Drake Dabney (TCU), Corey Dyches (Cal), Mark Redman (Louisville), and Benjamin Yurosek (Georgia).
Also Considered: Justin Joly, North Carolina State
Don’t Count Out: Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
Small School Transfer: Cole Rusk, Illinois (knee injury)
Left Tackle: Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
Second Team: Easton Kilty, Kansas State
San Diego State and San Jose State have turned into training grounds for future Power Four talent. It’s a shame to see Group of Five programs develop and then lose their stars, but this process offers opportunities for players like Fernando Carmona to catapult their draft stock and cash in on NIL deals.
Former Princeton turned Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis is among a group of honorable mentions that includes Marcus Bryant (Missouri), Monroe Mills (Louisville), Diego Pounds (Ole Miss), Jack Purcell (Duke), and Corey Stewart (Purdue).
Also Considered: Bless Harris, TCU
Don’t Count Out: Lance Heard, Tennessee
Small School Transfer: J.C. Davis, Illinois
Left Guard: Kevin Wigenton II, Illinois
Second Team: Josh Priebe, Michigan
Kevin Wigenton II has the size and physicality to make an offensive line coach blush, but the former Michigan State guard is raw and underdeveloped. That tends to happen with Spartans in recent years. Nevertheless, Wigenton offers Illinois a chance to rebuild its offensive line after so many of its best players went to the draft.
Cade Bennett (TCU), Terrence Ferguson II (Florida State), Nate Kalepo (Ole Miss), and Vinny Sciury (Texas Tech) were also considered.
Also Considered: Cayden Green, Missouri
Don’t Count Out: Justin Mayers, Colorado
Small School Transfer: Rush Reimer, Cal
Center: Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Second Team: Branson Hickman, Oklahoma
The center pool wasn’t very deep this summer. Parker Brailsford, who played pivot for the 2023 Joe Moore Award-winning Huskies, was an easy selection. He’s very undersized, which will impact his stock in the NFL Draft, but he gets the job done at the college level.
Davion Carter (Texas Tech), Seth McLaughlin (Ohio State), and Van Wells (Oregon State) were also on the short list for centers.
Also Considered: Zeke Correll, North Carolina State
Don’t Count Out: Bryce Foster, Kansas
Small School Transfer: Ethan Miner, Mississippi State
Right Guard: Matthew Bedford, Oregon
Second Team: Montavious Cunningham, Virginia Tech
Oregon has one of the five or six best offensive lines in all of college football. Adding Matthew Bedford this offseason went a long way to solidifying the front and preparing the Ducks for their first season in the Big Ten. We’ll see if that front can handle the physicality of the Northeast and Midwest.
Former North Texas right guard and right tackle Febechi Nwaiwu (now Oklahoma) was the only player who wasn’t mentioned to receive consideration.
Also Considered: Richie Leonard IV, Florida State
Don’t Count Out: DJ Wingfield, Purdue
Small School Transfer: Omar Aigbedion, Baylor
Right Tackle: Drew Azzopardi, Washington
Second Team: Gerald Mincey, Kentucky
Drew Azzopardi’s 409 offensive snaps at San Diego State in 2023 are the only offensive snaps of his college career. He’s very inexperienced and is still filling out his frame, but his hand usage is advanced for a player who is just getting a taste of college football action. Azzopardi has a good anchor and uses his quick footwork to mirror pass rushers up the arc.
Micah Sahakian played left and right tackle at Cornell for the past three seasons, but he’s now listed as a depth piece at Duke. Just a small school player to consider in the future.
Also Considered: Nolan Rucci, Penn State
Don’t Count Out: Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Florida
Small School Transfer: Jonathan Mendoza, Louisville
Edge Rusher: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Second Team: B.J. Green II, Colorado
Nic Scourton is a powerful edge rusher with a frame that was built in a lab. He has an excellent spin move and flashes speed to power to knockback and run through offensive tackles. Scourton’s production was inflated during his final season at Purdue, but that doesn’t invalidate his elite moments.
Cashius Howell, who totaled 9.5 sacks and applied pressure on 18.33% of his pass rush attempts at Bowling Green in 2023, also transferred to Texas A&M this offseason.
Also Considered: R.J. Oben, Notre Dame
Don’t Count Out: Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
Small School Transfer: Syrus Webster, Washington State
Edge Rusher: Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
Second Team: Trey Moore, Texas
Princely Umanmielen is an explosive, long-armed rusher who showcased significant growth as a run defender from 2022 to 2023. He applied pressure on 18.52% of his pass rush attempts with Florida in 2023. For reference, former Michigan superstar and eventual second overall pick Aidan Hutchinson applied pressure on 17.41% of his rushes during his All-American season.
JaQues Evans (Baylor), Dayon Hayes (Colorado), Steve Linton (Baylor), and John Pius (Wisconsin) also earned consideration.
Also Considered: Tyler Baron, Miami
Don’t Count Out: Marvin Jones Jr., Florida State
Small School Transfer: Obi Ezeigbo, Oklahoma State
Interior Lineman: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Second Team: DeAndre Jules, South Carolina
Walter Nolen is one of the most physically gifted interior players in college football. He has all of the athletic traits and play strength to be an All-American and even a first round pick in the NFL Draft. Jimbo Fisher’s staff didn’t maximize those traits. Hopefully, Ole Miss does a better job of developing Nolen.
Also Considered: Damonic Williams, Oklahoma
Don’t Count Out: Simeon Barrow Jr., Miami
Small School Transfer: Thor Griffith, Louisville
Interior Lineman: Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
Second Team: Ja’Maree Caldwell, Oregon
Aeneas Peebles applied pressure on 11.87% of his pass rush attempts in 2023. He outproduced former Duke teammate DeWayne Carter last year, but Peebles doesn’t meet the same size thresholds as Carter. Peebles is part of a four-headed monster on Virginia Tech’s defense that includes Mansoor Delane, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and Dorian Strong.
Also Considered: Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Don’t Count Out: Nate Clifton, USC
Small School Transfer: Joey Slackman, Florida
Linebacker: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky
Second Team: Solomon DeShields, Texas A&M
It’s not often you see a starting member of Georgia’s defense transfer to another SEC program. Jamon Dumas-Johnson is recovering from a broken forearm suffered last November but is still on pace to be the second most impactful member of Kentucky’s defense, only trailing Deone Walker. Dumas-Johnson excels at coming downhill and making his presence known in the run game.
Also Considered: Jaheim Thomas, Wisconsin
Don’t Count Out: Corey Flagg Jr., Missouri
Small School Transfer: Teddye Buchanan, Cal
Linebacker: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Second Team: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
Michigan had a great run of linebackers under Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines were starting to worry about the well running dry before landing Jaishawn Barham in the portal. Barham is an impactful gap shooter in run defense, but he’s also good at pressuring quarterbacks off the edge or timing his blitz to fly up the middle for sacks.
Several linebackers were considered for recognition but were passed up in the process. These players include Tackett Curtis (Wisconsin), Elijah Herring (Memphis), Bangally Kamara (South Carolina), Xavian Sorey Jr. (Arkansas), and Scooby Williams (Texas A&M).
Also Considered: Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Don’t Count Out: Byrun Parham, Washington
Small School Transfer: Xe'ree Alexander, UCF
Cornerback: Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
Second Team: Kam Alexander, Oregon
The transfer portal featured a deep cornerback crop, but Jabbar Muhammad stands above the rest. He showcased himself well in mirror-and-match situations last season against the Pac-12’s many star receivers. Muhammad’s vision, football IQ, and timing at the catch point are all excellent traits that have him in the conversation for a top 100 selection in 2025.
The deep pool of corner transfers also included Terrance Brooks (Illinois), Duce Chestnut (Syracuse), Tony Grimes (UNLV), A.J. Harris (Penn State), Tahveon Nicholson (Louisville), D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana), and Corey Thornton (Louisville).
Also Considered: Isaiah Hamilton, Ole Miss
Don’t Count Out: Domani Jackson, Alabama
Small School Transfer: Marcus Harris, Cal
Cornerback: Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Second Team: Ephesians Prysock, Washington
Trey Amos had some special flashes during his 340 defensive snaps at Alabama in 2023. The former Louisiana Ragin' Cajun corner had a rep against Georgia’s Dillon Bell that’s still stuck in my head. According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, his team put a borderline top 100 grade on Amos during their summer scouting process. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Amos this year.
There’s an extensive catalog of honorable mentions, including current SEC corners Jay'Vion Cole (Texas), Will Lee III (Texas A&M), Cormani McClain (Florida), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), and Dezz Ricks (Texas A&M).
Also Considered: Toriano Pride Jr., Missouri
Don’t Count Out: Nyland Green, Purdue
Small School Transfer: Aamir Hall, Michigan
Nickel: Brandon Johnson, Oregon
Second Team: Greedy Vance Jr., USC
Brandon Johnson was another significant loss for Duke this offseason. The nickel corner didn’t have any interceptions last year, but he stepped up in run defense in spurts and served as one of the unit’s most consistent players. Johnson has played more than 1,500 total defensive snaps across the past two seasons.
Tamarion McDonald (Louisville), Jaise Oliver (TCU), and Mishael Powell (Miami) also primarily contributed from slot alignments in 2023. They were solid transfer portal options but didn’t crack the short list.
Also Considered: Deshawn Pace, UCF
Don’t Count Out: Ja'Had Carter, North Carolina State
Small School Transfer: Tahj Ra-El, Memphis
Safety: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Second Team: Keon Sabb, Alabama
Caleb Downs and Keon Sabb don’t need much of an introduction. None of the safeties do. Most have operated at or near All-Conference levels for at least a season and were heralded by their original programs’ fanbases.
If you’re just getting into the swing of the season, Downs was a Second Team All-American last year as a true freshman, and Sabb broke through Michigan’s deep secondary rotation to have an impressive showing in the National Championship Game.
A couple of Power Four safeties transferred down a level this summer. Former Arkansas standout Jalen Catalon is now at UNLV following a disappointing season with Texas. Isheem Young cut his teeth at Iowa State before making the jump to Ole Miss, where he lost most of his snaps this past year. He was absent in at least one game last season for disciplinary reasons. Young is now at North Texas.
Also Considered: Asa Turner, Florida
Don’t Count Out: Kamari Ramsey, USC
Small School Transfer: Sheldon Arnold II, UCF
Safety: Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Second Team: Rod Heard II, Notre Dame
Andrew Mukuba opened his Clemson career at a breakneck pace but came back to Earth in 2022 as he saw more action in the slot. Mukuba adapted and turned in a stellar 2023 campaign, allowing just 148 yards on 35 total targets while primarily lining up in the slot. He and Jahdae Barron will give the Longhorns a lot of versatile coverage options.
Other safeties who transferred but didn’t earn specific recognitions in this exercise include Akili Arnold (USC), Trikweze Bridges (Florida), Devin Dye (Kansas), Jaden Mangham (Michigan), and Jerrin Thompson (Auburn).
Also Considered: Kobe Savage, Oregon
Don’t Count Out: Yam Banks, Ole Miss
Small School Transfer: Devin Grant, Syracuse
Don’t sleep on Arizona transfer to Washington, running back Jonah Coleman, he’s one of the best in the country.