The transfer portal window in college football closed on Jan. 16, meaning that players needed to be in the portal by then, but they didn’t have to commit to a new school at that time.
Still, most players who wanted to transfer likely have found a new home, given that many schools have already started their spring semesters. However, there will be more activity in the portal as some players just entered it.
Plus, the College Football Playoff national championship game – pitting No. 1 seed Indiana against No. 10 seed Miami – is on Monday night, and players from those two teams have five days after the game to enter the portal.
While the portal remains active and busy, there are clear winners and losers at this juncture. Here are the top five studs and duds in the transfer portal (listed in alphabetical order).
Winners and losers in the transfer portal
Winners
IndianaPer On3, the Hoosiers, who vie for a national title on Monday evening, have the country’s No. 1 transfer portal class – for now. Let’s remember that players on the Indiana roster have up to five days after the CFP championship contest to enter the portal. Indiana has 17 transfer pledges and just five players who have departed the program. Those numbers, though, will likely change moving forward.
LSUThe Tigers and new head coach Lane Kiffin have the No. 9 transfer class per On3, and the nation’s No. 1 portal cycle, according to 247Sports. LSU, to date, has brought in 37 transfer pledges, including 11 four-star players and one five-star prospect, quarterback Sam Leavitt, who transferred from Arizona State. Leavitt, per 247Sports, is the No. 1 national prospect and the No. 1 QB in the transfer portal this offseason. Talk about a splashy acquisition by Kiffin.
Notre DameIt’s quality over quantity for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame only has seven transfer pledges, while 15 players are departing. Six of the team’s seven transfer commits are rated four-star prospects. Both 247Sports and On3 rank the Fighting Irish’s transfer class in the top 10 overall.
Ole MissThe Rebels made the CFP’s semifinal round and haven’t missed a beat in the transfer portal, despite Kiffin bolting for LSU. According to 247Sports, Ole Miss has the No. 2 transfer class, with 22 commits and eight four-star pledges. The Rebels recently plucked three players from Syracuse in wide receivers Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill Jr., along with tight end Michael Smith.
Texas TechThe Red Raiders are yet again crushing things in the transfer portal. Texas Tech is No. 2 nationally, per On3, even with 19 transfers in and 21 transfers out.
Losers
ColoradoHere’s the good news. Head coach Deion Sanders and his staff have hauled in 40 transfer commits. That’s a lot. Yet the Buffaloes have only scored a trio of four-star prospects, and the team’s portal cycle is No. 21 overall, per 247Sports.
GeorgiaThe Bulldogs are struggling in the transfer portal, with eight commits (all rated three stars), while 14 players are transferring out. On3 has Georgia’s transfer class at just No. 60 overall.
Iowa StateHead coach Matt Campbell leaving for Penn State has been rough on the Cyclones. Iowa State’s transfer cycle is No. 70 nationally, with 43 pledges and just one four-star commit, while 54 players are leaving.
North CarolinaHead coach Bill Belichick is stinking it up in the transfer portal, with a class that is No. 68 overall, per On3. The Tar Heels have 16 transfer commits who are all rated three stars, while a whopping 32 players are headed elsewhere.
Southern CaliforniaThe Trojans aren’t faring well, at No. 50 nationally, according to On3. USC, to date, only has eight transfer commits, while Southern Cal has seen 21 players enter the portal.
