2024 College Football Transfer Portal Tracker Spring Updates & Analysis for Upcoming Season
Spring games are wrapping up for college football programs around the country, which means one thing: It's time for the spring transfer portal window to open.
Plenty of players already entered the portal and found new homes after the 2023-24 season. In case you need a slight refresher:
Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei to Florida StateWashington State QB Cam Ward to MiamiArkansas QB KJ Jefferson to UCFKansas State QB Will Howard to Ohio StateCoastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall to NC StateOle Miss RB Quinshon Judkins to Ohio StateUSC QB Malachi Nelson to Boise StateTexas A&M WR Evan Stewart to OregonUNLV QB Jayden Maiava to USCAlabama WR Isaiah Bond to TexasMississippi State QB Will Rogers to WashingtonAnd that's just a small sample. For a larger sample, be sure to check out our previous transfer portal tracker from the turn of the calendar.
Now, with spring ball wrapping up and depth charts becoming clearer across the nation, we can expect a lot more players to put themselves on that list.
We're here to keep you up to date on some of the biggest spring transfer portal moves in college football, so be sure to check back daily between now and April 30 鈥?when the portal closes again 鈥?to see if any game-changing players have found a new home for the 2024 season.
Wednesday, April 24Mississippi State QB Mike WrightFormer Vanderbilt and Mississippi State quarterback Mike Wright is on the move again.
Wright started three games for the Bulldogs in 2023, throwing for 453 yards on 56.5% passing to go along with three touchdowns and three interceptions. However, Wright did most of his damage on the ground, running for 324 yards and another three scores.
Wright has started 14 games in his career, making him one of the most experienced quarterbacks to enter the portal this spring.
With Wright's departure, Mississippi State will be without its top two quarterbacks from last season, as starter Will Rogers transferred to Washington. The cupboard isn't completely bare, though, as new head coach Jeff Lebby brought in Blake Shapen from Baylor.
Colorado RB Dylan EdwardsAnother day on the calendar means another day with portal news for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. This time, they're losing starting running back Dylan Edwards.
Although Colorado didn't run often, the loss of Edwards is big because he was a versatile back who could pick up yards on the ground with his speed and elusiveness and make an impact as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Edwards led the Buffs with 321 rushing yards on 76 carries and contributed a score on the ground. He also hauled in 36 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
Edwards is just the latest Colorado back to enter the portal, following the lead of uncommitted Alton McCaskill IV and Anthony Hankerson, who's now at Oregon State.
It's not all bad news for Colorado's backfield, though. The Buffaloes received a commitment from former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden earlier this week.
Texas A&M OL Bryce FosterStarting Texas A&M center Bryce Foster has entered the transfer portal after not being listed on the Aggies' roster following spring camp.
Foster was a three-year starter for the Aggies. After playing only four games in 2022 due to injury, he got healthy and started 12 contests. Now, his tenure in College Station ends as the Mike Elko era begins.
Foster was rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports coming out of high school and should draw plenty of interest given his experience.
Tuesday, April 23Texas CB Terrance BrooksIn a shocking move, Texas cornerback Terrance Brooks has entered the transfer portal.
Brooks started 13 games for the Longhorns last season, intercepting three passes and breaking up six.
Brooks was slated to start once again this season opposite Malik Muhammad in what was expected to be a solid secondary. Now, he'll be a highly-coveted prospect in the portal.
Iowa QB Deacon HillAfter one season at Wisconsin and one at Iowa, quarterback Deacon Hill is entering the transfer portal once again.
Hill started nine games for the Hawkeyes in 2023 after starting quarterback Cade McNamara went down with a torn ACL against Michigan State on Sept. 30.
A Santa Barbara, Calif., native, Hill threw for 1,152 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions on 48.6% passing last year.
Monday, April 22Miami RB Henry Parrish Jr. to Ole MissMiami's leading running back is heading home.
After leaving Ole Miss for The U after two seasons, Henry Parrish Jr. is returning to the Grove to play for head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.
Parrish has rushed for at least 500 yards in three straight seasons and is coming off his best statistical season in which he ran for 625 yards and six touchdowns on 6.3 yards per carry.
Parrish will join Ulysses Bentley IV and Logan Diggs at Ole Miss, giving the Rebels a loaded backfield after losing star back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State.
Ohio State RB Dallan Hayden to ColoradoAfter two seasons with Ohio State, Dallan Hayden has committed to Colorado.
Hayden posted 553 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman in 2022, including leading the team in rushing in a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Georgia. Then, he recorded just 110 yards and a score in three games in 2023.
Despite Hayden's impressive 2022 season, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said his plan was to redshirt Hayden with TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum all available in the backfield, according to On3.
But with Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins joining the mix in Columbus, Hayden has decided to make the move.
Hayden will have the opportunity to make an instant impact with the departures of Colorado running backs Dylan Edwards and Alton McCaskill IV.
DL Jermayne Lole & OL Branson Hickman to OklahomaBrent Venables is beefing up the trenches in Norman, as Oklahoma received commitments from former Louisville defensive lineman Jermayne Lole and former SMU center Branson Hickman.
Lole had a breakout season with Arizona State in 2019, recording 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups and 71 tackles, including 10 for a loss. After not playing in 2021 and playing only two games in 2022, Lole racked up 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in his lone season with the Cardinals in 2023.
Hickman, meanwhile, has been a mainstay on SMU's offensive line.
According to PFF, the former Mustang has played 1,079 snaps since 2022 and allowed only one sack and two quarterback hits. He also recorded a PFF run-blocking grade of 81.7.
New Oklahoma Center Branson Hickman Since 2022:
馃敶 1,079 Pass Block Snaps馃敶 1 Sack Allowed馃敶 2 QB Hits Allowed馃敶 81.7 Run Block Grade pic.twitter.com/dAP9SZz5oY
鈥?PFF College (@PFF_College) April 22, 2024
Sunday, April 21Pitt DL Dayon Hayes to ColoradoFormer Pitt defensive lineman Dayon Hayes has committed to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Hayes led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss while also racking up four sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble for Pat Narduzzi's squad last season.
Despite being one of Pitt's highest-paid players from an NIL perspective, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Hayes is entering the portal because he doesn't think the Panthers can compete this season.
Miami (OH) PK Graham Nicholson to AlabamaAlabama is getting another stellar kicker.
After winning the Groza Award as college football's top kicker, former Miami (OH) kicker Graham Nicholson is heading to Alabama.
Nicholson made 27 of his 28 (96.4%) field goals last season to go along with 35 extra points as the RedHawks took home the MAC title. The Cincinnati native didn't miss a field foal in the regular season, going a perfect 10-of-10 from 40 yards and longer.
Nicholson will replace the NCAA's all-time leading scorer in Will Reichard.
Indiana DL Philip Blidi to AuburnFormer Indiana defensive lineman Philip Blidi is taking his talents to Auburn.
Blidi posted 30 tackles, with four going for a loss, to go along with a pass breakup in 11 starts last season. Before heading to Indiana, Blidi spent three seasons at Texas Tech, where he recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Blidi marks the 10th transfer head coach Hugh Freeze has added heading into 2024.
Friday, April 19Arizona State QB Jaden RashadaArizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada has entered the transfer portal after one season in Tempe.
Rashada earned the starting quarterback spot to begin the season last year but suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss nine games. The Sun Devils' quarterback situation ultimately became a mess with four players throwing at least 35 passes.
Rashada completed 53.7% of his passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on the season.
A former Florida commit, Rashada already has an SEC visit set up, as he will make the trip to Georgia next week.
Arizona State WR Elijhah BadgerRashada and Company's top target last season, Elijhah Badger, has entered the transfer portal as well.
Badger led Arizona State's receiving corps by a significant margin, hauling in 65 passes for 713 yards and three touchdowns.
It's worth noting that Badger put up those numbers with four different quarterbacks throwing him the ball. When Emory Jones and Trenton Bourguet were the main signal-callers in 2022, Badger racked up 866 receiving yards and seven scores to rank ninth and sixth in the Pac-12, respectively.
Badger's entrance into the portal makes him one of the top playmakers available.
Thursday, April 18Michigan State DT Simeon Barrow Jr.Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. jumped into the portal on Thursday, expanding the Big Ten's list of players looking for a new school.
In three seasons with the Spartans, Barrow recorded 110 total tackles with 18.5 going for a loss, 10.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
The 6-foot-3, 290-pound interior will enter the portal as a grad transfer.
Wednesday, April 17Utah State QBs Cooper Legas & McCae HillsteadUtah State quarterback Cooper Legas became the latest Aggies quarterback to enter the transfer portal, joining fellow signal-caller McCae Hillstead on Wednesday.
Legas and Hillstead were Utah State's two main starters last year, combining to throw for 2,877 yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Their departures seem like a big loss on paper, but the Aggies also brought in two experienced starters from power conference teams in Utah's Bryson Barnes and Iowa's Spencer Petras.
TCU DT Damonic WilliamsTCU starting defensive tackle Damonic Williams plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a report by 247Sports.
A two-year starter for the Horned Frogs, Williams accumulated 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in his career in Fort Worth.
With his experience and size at 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, Williams should draw plenty of interest in the portal.
Colorado RB Alton McCaskill IVColorado running back Alton McCaskill IV became the latest Buffaloes player to enter the portal on Wednesday.
McCaskill ran for for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns with Houston in 2021. After an ACL tear kept him out in 2022, McCaskill became one of the most valuable players in the portal last year and landed in Boulder.
However, he played in only four games and ran for 59 yards.
Now fully healthy with two seasons of eligibility remaining, he'll be another coveted portal player.
Another Colorado player has entered the portal. This time, it's Cormani McClain, a former five-star recruit who was considered the crown jewel of head coach Deion Sanders' first recruiting class.
Despite the hype that came with his signing, McClain didn't have much of an impact on a defense that struggled mightily in 2023.
The Lakeland, Fla., native played in six games 鈥?all losses 鈥斅燼nd recorded two pass breakups to go along with 13 total tackles.
Oregon State RB Damien MartinezOregon State running back Damien Martinez has officially entered the transfer portal, immediately becoming one of the most valuable players available.
Martinez has run for 2,167 yards to go along with 16 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Those numbers are even more impressive considering the fact he split carries with another talented back in Deshaun Fenwick in both seasons.
Martinez's departure means Oregon State will be without its top five leading rushers next season, as Fenwick has exhausted his eligibility and wide receiver Silas Bolden has transferred, along with quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles.
Martinez should draw plenty of interest in the portal after earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors. Arizona, Kentucky, Miami and Mississippi State are among the early schools to watch, according to 247Sports' Matt Zenitz.
Iowa OT Kadyn Proctor to AlabamaKadyn Proctor is heading back to Alabama after producing聽one of the wildest sagas of the college football offseason.
Proctor initially committed to Iowa while attending Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, just outside of Des Moines. However, he flipped to Alabama just before National Signing Day, and despite struggling early in the season, earned All-SEC freshman honors.
Following the retirement of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, he entered the portal and quickly committed to Iowa, seemingly putting the finishing touches on what appeared to be a "Prodigal Son" type of story.
Less than two months into his stint in Iowa City, though, Proctor entered the portal once again. Now, he's back in Tuscaloosa and ready to contribute to Kalen DeBoer's new team.
Texas A&M S Jacoby MathewsThe transfer portal hits keep coming for Texas A&M. Aggies defensive back Jacoby Mathews became the 19th player on scholarship from A&M to enter the transfer portal.
Mathews played in 11 games last season, posting one interception, four passes defensed and 42 total tackles.
A former four-star prospect, Mathews joins two five-star defensive linemen in leaving, as Walter Nolen 鈥?the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022 鈥?left for Ole Miss and LT Overton departed for Alabama.
Louisville RB Peny BooneLouisville running back Peny Boone is on the move again. After transferring to play for the Cardinals from Toledo in January, Boone is back in the portal.
Boone ran for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry with the Rockets in 2023, ranking eighth nationally in rushing yards and third in yards per carry among running backs with at least 100 attempts.
The loss of Boone is a big one for the Cardinals and head coach Jeff Brohm, who lost both Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo to the NFL Draft.
College Football Bowl Projections: Brett McMurphy's Early Predictions for 2024Read nowColorado OT Savion WashingtonColorado offensive tackle Savion Washington has entered the portal after starting nine games last season. Washington played 660 snaps at right tackle and recorded a PFF pass blocking grade of 69.4.
The Akron, Ohio, native arrived at Colorado following three years at Kent State, whose head coach, Sean Lewis, also left the Golden Flashes to become the offensive coordinator under Deion Sanders.
Lewis, who had play-calling duties stripped from him for the final four games of the season, departed Colorado to become the head coach at San Diego State.
Whether Washington will follow his coach again remains to be seen, but at 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, a program is bound to take a look.
Colorado State WR Justus Ross-SimmonsA key piece of Colorado State's Air Raid offense is hitting the transfer portal.
Justus Ross-Simmons, who ranked third on the Rams in receiving last season, announced his intentions to transfer on social media last week.
Ross-Simmons finished the season with 724 yards and three touchdowns on 45 catches and was expected to be a key cog in a passing game that's also losing tight end Dallin Holker 鈥?who ranked second on the team in receiving 鈥?to the NFL Draft.
Despite the departures of Ross-Simmons and Holker, the Rams' passing attack should still have some flash with stud wide receiver Tory Horton leading the way alongside emerging sophomore quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolisi.
Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert SmithPenn State's leading receiver in terms of receptions and yards is looking for a new home.
Lambert-Smith led the Nittany Lions with 53 receptions for 673 yards and added four touchdowns to the ledger.
However, Penn State's passing offense took a step back to 79th nationally after ranking 46th in 2022. Quarterback Drew Allar and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich drew some criticism over the course of the year for rarely pushing the ball downfield.
Despite Yurcich's firing and the addition of new OC Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas, Lambert-Smith will still look to make a move to a new program.
Arkansas QB Jacolby CriswellJacolby, who backed up KJ Jefferson at Arkansas and Drake Maye and Sam Howell at North Carolina, is back in the portal.
One of the more talented quarterbacks in the portal, the former four-star recruit 143 yards and three touchdowns while adding 44 yards on the ground in four games.
Ball State QB Kiael KellyBall State quarterback Kiael Kelly will get the ball rolling for signal-callers entering the portal.
Kelly started the latter portion of the Cardinals' schedule, throwing for a total of 557 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions with a 53% completion percentage.
However, Kelly did most of his damage on the ground, where he ran for 724 yards and seven scores. He finished the season with the team lead in rushing touchdowns and ranked second in rushing yards behind star Kent State transfer Marquez Cooper.
