On a Monday in early December, over 1,000 college football players across the country entered their names into the transfer portal. That number seems high for a complete transfer cycle, let alone one day.
In 2021, 2,918 FBS players entered the portal, up from the 2021 mark of 2,531.
If there's one thing that's true and will continue to be true about the transfer portal, it's that business is boomin'.
Before the calendar flipped to 2024, we saw a number of big moves shake up the college football world. Need a refresher? Here are a few highlights.
- Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel to Oregon
- Duke QB Riley Leonard to Notre Dame
- Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke to Wisconsin
- Ohio State QB Kyle McCord to Syracuse
- Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough to Louisville
- UCLA QB Dante Moore to Oregon
- Florida RB Trevor Etienne to Georgia
- Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall to NC State
- Texas QB Maalik Murphy to Duke
- Boise State QB Taylen Green to Arkansas
- South Carolina WR Antwane "Juice" Wells to Ole Miss
- Texas A&M DL Walter Nolen to Ole Miss
- Clemson S Andrew Mukuba to Texas
- Georgia EDGE Marvin Jones Jr. to Florida State
- Florida State LB DJ Lundy to Colorado
Get the picture?
We're here to keep you up to date on some of the biggest college football transfer portal moves in 2024, so be sure to check back daily to see if any game-changing players in the portal have found a new home.
Saturday, Jan. 27
Washington CB Jabbar Muhammad to Oregon
Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad is still heading to the Big Ten next year, but it will be as an Oregon Duck.
Muhammad entered the portal following the departure of head coach Kalen DeBoer and committed to Dan Lanning and the Ducks on Saturday night.
Muhammad was regarded by many as the best coverage cornerback on the Huskies, and he finished the season with three interceptions and 14 passes defensed.
The Ducks have been very active in the portal from a secondary perspective, adding cornerback Kam Alexander from UTSA, safety Kobe Savage from Kansas State and nickel Brandon Johnson from Duke. Oregon also returns safety Tysheem Johnson from a unit that ranked ninth in scoring defense a season ago.
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Mississippi State QB Will Rogers to Remain at Washington
After committing to Washington and then re-entering the portal, former Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers will remain with the Huskies despite head coach Kalen DeBoer's departure for Alabama.
Rogers, the SEC's all-time leader in completions, played in only eight games in his first season outside of an Air Raid system last year, throwing for 1,626 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.
In the two previous years in Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, Rogers threw for a combined 8,713 yards, 71 touchdowns and 17 picks.
Washington recently hired former Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch to take over for DeBoer. After going 1-11 in his first season with the Wildcats in 2021, Fisch improved to 5-7 before making the leap to 10-3 this season, which culminated with an Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma.
Fisch helped Arizona take a big step forward in the passing game this past season with freshman Noah Fifita taking over. In nine starts and 12 total games played, Fifita threw for 2,869 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Now, Fisch's first order of business will be making Rogers look like the SEC record holder the world saw in Starkville.
Sunday, Jan. 21
Alabama QB Julian Sayin to Ohio State
Alabama's transfer portal entries keep coming after the retirement of head coach Nick Saban. This time, it's a top quarterback recruit.
Julian Sayin, the No. 3 quarterback in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports, entered the portal before even stepping on a collegiate field and committed to Ohio State on Sunday.
As a senior at Carlsbad (CA) High School, Sayin threw for 2,347 yards and 24 touchdowns with just one interception while adding 186 yards and four scores on the ground.
After receiving offers from Alabama, Ohio State and Texas, among others, Sayin will head to Columbus. The Buckeyes received a commitment from former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard earlier this offseason, so Sayin's commitment could spark a quarterback competition for Ryan Day and Co.
Sayin became the second Alabama player to commit to Ohio State in the past week, joining one of the nation's top freshmen in safety Caleb Downs.
Arizona RB Jonah Coleman to Washington
With Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch off to Washington, Wildcats running back Jonah Coleman has committed to join his coach in Seattle.
Ranked as PFF's fifth-highest graded running back last season, Coleman ran for 871 yards and five touchdowns on just 128 touches — good for 6.8 yards per carry.
Coleman was the first Arizona starter to enter the portal following the departure of Fisch.
Washington WR Germie Bernard to Alabama
Washington wide receiver Germie Bernard will join former Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer at Alabama.
As the Huskies' No. 4 receiver behind the incredible trio of Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, Bernard hauled in 34 passes for 419 and two scores. He also returned three punts for 43 yards and 10 kickoffs for 233 yards.
The addition of Bernard will be big for an Alabama team that has been decimated by the portal following the retirement of head coach Nick Saban and lost wide receiver Isaiah Bond to Texas.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor to Iowa
Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, one of the nation's top freshmen in 2023-24, is heading home. After originally committing to Iowa in high school, the Des Moines, Iowa, native will officially join the Hawkeyes following one season at Alabama.
Despite struggling early in the season, Proctor ended 2023-24 with All-SEC freshman honors.
After securing his starting spot at left tackle, he was expected to be a key cog for the Tide in 2024. Now, he will be a plug-and-play starter for Kirk Ferentz, who is expected to name a new offensive coordinator in the near future.
Friday, Jan. 19
Alabama S Caleb Downs to Ohio State
After hitting the portal following Nick Saban's retirement, former Alabama safety Caleb Downs has committed to Ohio State.
Downs will bolster a Buckeyes unit that finished last season second nationally in scoring defense and third nationally in total defense.
The former Tide DB finished the season with two interceptions, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and 107 tackles to go along with a punt-return touchdown.
The Crimson Tide have now lost four starters from last year's secondary, as Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold and Jaylen Key have entered the NFL Draft.
Wednesday, Jan. 17
New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia to Vanderbilt
Shortly after former New Mexico State head coach Jerry Kill joined Vanderbilt as chief consultant to the head coach and senior offensive advisor, the Commodores got some more good news.
Diego Pavia, Kill's quarterback at New Mexico State, will join the 'Dores as a transfer.
Pavia led the Aggies to a 10-5 record and a New Mexico Bowl appearance in the team's first season in Conference USA.
The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native threw for 2,973 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season to go along with 928 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Pavia led the Aggies in both passing yards and rushing yards by a wide margin.
With AJ Swann off to LSU and Ken Seals heading to TCU, Pavia gives Vandy a quarterback with plenty of starting experience who has proven himself at the FBS level. Whether that translates to the SEC remains to be seen, but it's worth noting that in Pavia's two seasons as a starter, he led NMSU to a 17-11 record after the Aggies had gone 8-30 from 2018-21.
Tuesday, Jan. 16
Oregon State WR Silas Bolden to Texas
Count another one for the Longhorns.
Silas Bolden, Oregon State's leading receiver in 2023, is heading to Texas, joining a wide receiver room that recently added Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond.
Bolden hauled in 54 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 to go along with a punt return score.
The former Beaver will be a welcome addition for a Texas team that's losing its top three wide receivers in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington.
Monday, Jan. 15
Arizona QB Jayden de Laura to Texas State
Former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura will continue his collegiate career with GJ Kinne in San Marcos.
De Laura recorded 16 starts in his two years at Arizona before getting replaced by freshman Noah Fifita, who helped the Wildcats to a 10-3 record and an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
In 2022, his last full season as a starter, de Laura threw for 3,685 yards with 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions to go along with 122 yards and four scores on the ground.
The move would have bolstered a Texas State quarterback room that already featured TJ Finley, who threw for 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight picks in Kinne's offense, but Finley now plans to enter the portal himself.
Sunday, Jan. 14
Alabama WR Isaiah Bond to Texas
On Friday, Bond became the first Alabama player to enter the portal since Nick Saban's retirement. On Sunday, he committed to a fellow College Football Playoff participant in the Texas Longhorns
Bond finished second on the Tide with 668 yards and four touchdowns on a team-high 48 catches.
Bond's arrival will be a welcome sight for a Texas team that just lost its three leading wide receivers in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington to the NFL Draft.
While Worthy won't be back, the Longhorns received positive news this offseason when quarterback Quinn Ewers announced he would return in 2024.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Washington State QB Cam Ward to Miami
One of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal has found a home.
After declaring for the NFL Draft, former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward reversed his decision and announced his intention to transfer to Miami.
The pick-up is a big win for Mario Cristobal and his staff, as the Hurricanes lost incumbent starter Tyler Van Dyke to Wisconsin in an earlier portal move.
Ward threw for at least 23 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions in each of his two seasons in Pullman. In 2023, Ward completed 66.7% of his passes for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven picks.
Prior to his time at Washington State, Ward shined at Incarnate Word, where he won the Jerry Rice Award (most outstanding FCS freshman) in 2020 and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (most outstanding offensive player in FCS) in 2021.
Friday, Jan. 12
Washington S Mishael Powell & CB Jabbar Muhammad Enter Portal
With Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer heading to Alabama, Huskies safety Mishael Powell and cornerback Jabbar Muhammad became the first players in Seattle to enter the transfer portal.
Powell totaled 38 tackles, six break-ups and three interceptions, including an 89-yard pick-six against Arizona State.
Muhammad was regarded by many as the best coverage cornerback on the Huskies, and he finished the season with three interceptions and 14 passes defensed.
Thursday, Jan. 11
Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart to Oregon
The No. 1 wide receiver in the transfer portal is heading to Eugene.
The 6-foot, 175-pound wideout spent his first two years at Texas A&M, catching 91 passes for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns. He caught 53 passes for 649 yards and two touchdowns his freshman year and recorded 38 receptions for 514 yards and four scores this past season.
Stewart is a big get for the Ducks, as he will help offset the departure of Troy Franklin, who declared for the NFL Draft after catching 81 passes for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.
Stewart will join a wideout corps featuring Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden, which should help get transfer quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore acclimated.
Marshall DE Elijah Alston to Miami
Alston played for Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry during his time at Marshall, and he will make an immediate impact in Coral Gables.
Alston proved to be a force with the Thundering Herd, picking up six sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a pick-six in 2023.
With the fourth-ranked recruiting class coming in, per 247Sports, things may finally be coming together for Mario Cristobal's team as it heads into spring ball.
Georgia CB AJ Harris to Penn State
Harris didn't make a huge impact for Kirby Smart's squad this past season, but he was rated as the No. 15 player in the portal by Rivals.
Harris came out of high school as a five-star prospect and the No. 2 cornerback in the nation before serving in a backup role in 2023. As a freshman, Harris posted eight total tackles.
After boasting one of the country's best defenses last season, Harris — who has multiple years of eligibility remaining — can help the Nittany Lions reload instead of rebuild.
Tuesday, Jan. 9
UNLV QB Jayden Maiava Flips From Georgia to USC
The addition of Maiava is big for a USC program that will lose 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams to the NFL.
After starting the season as the backup to Doug Brumfield, Maiava burst onto the scene in UNLV's 40-37 win over Vanderbilt by throwing for 261 yards with a touchdown and a pick while adding 29 yards and a score with his legs.
Maiava would remain the starter for the rest of the season, leading the Rebels to a 9-5 record — their first winning season since 2013 — and a sterling 10-3 mark against the spread.
The redshirt freshman finished the season with 3,085 yards to go along with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 277 yards and three scores on the ground.
With Williams out of the picture and former No. 1 prospect Malachi Nelson transferring to Boise State, Maiava walks into a quarterback competition with Miller Moss, who threw for 372 yards, six touchdowns and one pick on in a 42-28 Holiday Bowl victory over Louisville.
USC LB Tackett Curtis to Wisconsin
While USC's defense was nothing to write home about in 2023, Curtis should play a key role for the Badgers in 2024.
A four-star prospect coming out of high school, Curtis racked up 40 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in his freshman season in Los Angeles.
Going from a team that completely eschewed defense to a historically sound defensive team should only help Curtis improve moving forward.
Monday, Jan. 8
Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State
Judkins is a big pick-up for an Ohio State program that's already returning TreVeyon Henderson to the backfield.
The first-team All-SEC selection carried the ball 271 times for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead Ole Miss to an 11-2 record this past season. He also chipped in 22 catches for 149 yards and a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Judkins performed even better in 2022, running for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry.
The Buckeyes boast the third-shortest odds to win the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, and Judkins and Henderson forming one of the nation's best backfield duos will only help in their quest.
Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." pic.twitter.com/J89kRzsmBQ
— Quinshon Judkins (@qaj4_) January 9, 2024
Saturday, Jan. 6
USC QB Malachi Nelson to Boise State
Despite throwing only three passes last season, Nelson's transfer to Boise State is a big deal.
Picking up Nelson — who was ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023 by ESPN — is a massive win for new Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson, especially after former starter Taylen Green entered the portal and landed at Arkansas.
Nelson will likely walk into a quarterback competition with Maddux Madsen, who saw extended action last season while throwing for 1,191 yards, nine touchdowns and three picks.
Alabama C Seth McLaughlin to Ohio State
McLaughlin may have come under fire for some poor snaps in Alabama's Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, but he'll be a welcome addition for Ryan Day and Co.
McLaughlin started 25 games for the Tide in his career, including every game last season. He allowed only one sack in his career, which will be big with new quarterback Will Howard coming in.
Wisconsin OL Nolan Rucci to Penn State
Rucci played the role of a backup this season, but the former five-star prospect should have a chance to start immediately after seeing some action in Wisconsin's ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU.
Friday, Jan. 5
Texas WR Isaiah Neyor to Nebraska
There were high hopes for Isaiah Neyor in Austin after the receiver racked up 878 yards and 12 touchdowns on 44 receptions at Wyoming in 2021.
However, after suffering a season-ending injury before the opener in 2022, he played in only one game and caught just one pass in 2023.
Now, he'll be looking for a fresh start with a Nebraska team that managed to bring in five-star prospect Dylan Raiola. With Matt Rhule at the helm, both Raiola and Neyor will look to bring the Huskers their first winning season since 2016.
The transfer receiver,@IsaiahNeyor is N!#GBR x #24Ourspic.twitter.com/7drdbQ3yhG
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) January 12, 2024
Thursday, Jan. 4
Kansas State QB Will Howard to Ohio State
Howard's transfer to Ohio State is one of the biggest portal moves thus far, and his importance is only elevated with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka announcing that he will return to Columbus.
Howard led Kansas State to a Big 12 title over national runner-up TCU in 2022 while splitting time with Adrian Martinez and followed that up with the best season of his collegiate career.
The Downington, Pennsylvania, native threw for a career-high 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2023 to go along with 10 interceptions.
He also added 351 yards and nine scores on the ground, which will only help a ground game that includes TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins.
USC WR Michael Jackson III to Georgia
Jackson caught 17 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown last season while sitting behind a host of players in Tahj Washington, Brenden Rice, Duce Robinson, Zachariah Branch, Mario Williams and Dorian Singer.
While Jackson wasn't a premier pass-catcher for USC's high-powered offense, his transfer to Georgia adds depth to a unit that will lose two key members in Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.
Miami (OH) DL Caiden Woullard to Oklahoma
First-team All-MAC defensive lineman Caiden Woullard played a pivotal role for a Miami (OH) team that ran through the MAC Championship against Toledo.
Woullard finished the season with 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, which will be a welcome addition for Brent Venables' defense.
Wednesday, Jan. 3
Ohio State WR Julian Fleming to Penn State
Fleming finished the season fourth on the Buckeyes in receiving behind future first-round NFL Draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr., star wideout Emeka Egbuka and tight end Cade Stover just one year after hauling in 34 passes for 533 yards and six scores.
His production dropped in 2023, but he immediately gives a boost to an underwhelming Penn State receiving corps.
Monday, Jan. 1
Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson to UCF
After a five-year stay in Fayetteville, including three as the starter, KJ Jefferson is off to the Big 12.
Jefferson struggled in Dan Enos' offense this season, throwing for the fewest yards and touchdowns in his time as a starter, as well as the most interceptions.
After back-to-back seasons with over 2,600 passing yards and 600 passing yards in 2021 and 2022, Jefferson hopes to give UCF another dual-threat quarterback after the departure of John Rhys Plumlee.
Oregon State QB DJ Uiaglelei to Florida State
DJ Uiagalelei posted the best season of his collegiate career during his short time in Corvallis, and with former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith off to Michigan State, DJU is taking his talents to Tallahassee.
Here you go @FSUFootball the 2nd Polynesian athlete heading to Florida State University,.. LETS GO NOLES🍢🍢🍢
Congrats to Sione Lolohea, DJ’s island brother from OSU, way to follow your Polynesian brother DJ. #FamilyIsEverything#GodsPlan@NilxGrouppic.twitter.com/uDXnaLJH13
— Big Dave Uiagalelei (@DUiagalelei) January 10, 2024
Uiagalelei threw for a career-high 2,638 yards to go along with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions with the Beavers. He also added 219 yards and six scores on the ground.
With Jordan Travis gone after a long career, Uiagalelei immediately gives head coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles a capable starter under center.
