The transfer portal can determine whether teams are successful in the new college football landscape. While there are downsides, such as lower-level schools losing their star players to more extensive programs and the trickle-down effect it has had on high school recruiting, the portal has a lot of benefits for both teams and players.
One reason is It gives players a second chance. Underrecruited, high-level starters on lower-level teams or underutilized power four players use the portal to find their perfect fit. The portal is also critical to replacing multiple-year starters and depth with other experienced players rather than true freshmen, who could use more development before being placed under the high expectation of playing in the ACC.
If you need help seeing the benefits of the portal, look at the top two teams in the ACC last year. For Florida State, they used the portal to fill holes. On offense, their starting running back and top four players in receiving yards came in via the transfer portal.
On defense, defensive lineman Jared Verse (2022) and Bradon Fiske transferred up from nonpower four divisions. They continued their high-level play, cementing their place among the top defensive linemen in this year’s draft. The Cardinals used the transfer portal for Louisville to quickly build their team with new coach Jeff Brohm. Last season, Louisville added 25 transfers, most notably quarterback Jack Plummer, who was third-team all-ACC after reuniting with his former head coach. This article will rank the ACC teams through their transfer portal additions. The rankings are best of player quality, considering past success and upside.
- Louisville Cardinals
Key additions: Tyler Shough ( Texas Tech), Thor Griffin (Harvard), Penny Boone (Toledo), Caulin Lacy ( South Alabama), Tyler Baron (Tennessee), Jacorey Brooks ( Alabama), Donald Chaney (Miami), Tamarion Mcdonald (Tennessee), Daeh McCullough(Oklahoma).Key losses: Plummer (Draft), Jawhar Jordan (Draft), Issac Guerendo (Draft), Jamari Thrash (Draft), Cam’Ron Kelly (Draft), Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (Draft).
Last year’s surprise of the ACC has added one of the best portal classes in the entire country. Projected starting quarterback Shough is again looking for a change of scenery after injury-filled seasons at Texas Tech. The ground game is where Lousiville had success last year. With former transfers Jordan and Guerendo going to the draft, expect the Cardinals to use a two-back system with Boone and Chaney again. At receiver, Lacy and Brooks look to pick up where Thrash left off. On defense, look out for the additions of Griffin, Barron, and Daeh McCullough.
- Syracuse Orange
Key additions: Kyle McCord (Ohio State), Duce Chestnut( LSU), Fadil Diggs( Texas A&M), Isaiah Hastings (Alabama), Joshua Miller ( Georgia), Zeed Hayes( Georgia), Jackson Meeks( Georgia), Demetrius Witherspoon (Howard), Devin Grant (Buffalo), James Heard Jr( West Virginia).Key losses: Isaiah Johnson (draft), Caleb Okechukwu (Draft), Damien Alford (N/A), Leon Lowery( Wisconsin), Stefon Thompson (Nebraska), Terry Lockett( James Madison), Kevon Darton (Arizona), Isaiah Jones, Jeremiah Wilson (Houston).
As a Syracuse student, I never thought I would see the day Syracuse landed transfers from Ohio State, LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia. Ok, I’m cheating. Chestnut is returning to Syracuse after one season away. Nonetheless, this is the effect that head coach Fran Brown has had in a short time in Syracuse. Brown drastically improved the team through the transfer portal and recruiting with his ties to New Jersey (his hometown) and Georgia (former Georgia DB coach). Brown also brought in another coach known for his recruiting expertise, former Texas A&M defensive line coach and co-DC Elijah. This has made the Orange the Colorado of the offseason with the splashiest additions. I expect the offense to transition to more of a pro-style attack with the addition of a pocket passer in McCord and former New York Giants running back coach Jeff Nixon as OC. Hayes and Meeks should help replace Alford and Jones as receivers next to Oronde Gadsden II. I also expect the Orange to have more size on both lines, with Diggs, Hastings, and Miller each coming from SEC programs.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Key additions: Riley Leonard (Duke), Rod Heard II (Northwestern), Kris Mitchell( FIU), Beaux Collins (Clemson), Jayden Harris( Marshall), Rj Oben (Duke), Jordan Clark (Arizona State).Key losses: Sam Hartman( Draft), Audric Estime (Draft), Joe Alt (Draft), Blake Fisher (Draft), Chris Tyree( Virginia) Tobias Merriweather (Cal), Rico Flores Jr ( UCLA), Braylon James (TCU), Zeke Correll ( NC State), Javontae Jean-Baptiste (Draft), linebacker JD Bertrand (Draft), linebacker Marist Liufau (Draft) and cornerback Cam Hart (Draft).
I’m cheating with this pick because they are not even an ACC team, but considering their ACC-heavy schedule, we have decided to add them to the rankings. While Notre Dame has lost many players to the draft, they can have a better team. Leonard gives the Fighting Irish a dual-threat quarterback who should fit into Mike Denbrock’s system. They also brought experienced Mitchell, Collins, and Harris receivers to compensate for their biggest weakness last season. Adding Oben should help fill the loss of former portal addition Jean-Baptiste. I also like Heard II and Clark’s as additions to the solid secondary of Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts. This could be head coach Marcus Freeman’s best team.
- Florida State Seminoles
Key additions: DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), Roydell Williams (Alabama), Marvin Jones Jr. (Georgia), Jalen Brown (LSU), Malik Benson (Alabama), Earl Little (Alabama), Shawn Murphy (Alabama), Terrence Ferguson (Alabama).Key losses: Jordan Travis ( Draft), Trey Benson ( Draft), Keon Coleman ( Draft), Johnny Wilson ( Draft), Jaheim Bell ( Draft), Verse ( Draft), Fiske ( Draft), Fabien Lovett ( Draft), Kalen DeLoach ( Draft), Tatum Bethune ( Draft), Renardo Green ( Draft), Akeem Dent ( Draft).
This team will be entirely different than the one that got robbed of a college football playoff spot at the end of the season. For Florida State, the downside is they lose most of their proven players on both sides of the ball. The upside is that the Seminoles swapped out one experienced quarterback for another in bringing in Uiagalelei. If you haven’t followed Uiagalelei since he left the ACC, this is different from the quarterback at Clemson. He has always had a strong arm and has continued to improve as a quarterback. There is also a case to be made that no team outside of Texas, no other team has benefited more from former Alabama coach Nick Saban retiring. The Seminoles come into the year with five former Alabama players, led by running back Williams, who should go into the year as the starter.
Their other top additions were based on the upside in Jones Jr and Brown. Jones Jr is a former Georgia defensive lineman and five-star prospect who was a rotation piece on one of the top defenses in the country. I expect him to play a huge role next to defensive end Patrick Payton. Like Jones Jr., Brown played on one of the best position groups in the country. Brown, a former LSU receiver, played on a team with two projected first-round picks at receiver. Expect him and Benson to break out with Florida State’s need for more experienced options.
- North Carolina State Wolfpack
Key additions: Grayson McCall ( Coastal Carolina), Jordan Waters( Duke), Justin Jaly (UConn), Noah Rodgers (Ohio State), Zeke Correll ( Notre Dame), Daylan Smothers(Oklahoma).
Key losses: MJ Morris( Maryland), Brennan Armstrong, CJ Clark.
If you only take one thing away from this article, it should be that Ohio State and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline don’t recruit bad receivers. Trust me, as a person who grew up watching Michigan football, it does not happen. It can just take time for them to get an opportunity. Even this year’s top project receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr., had to wait his turn. Other times, receivers must transfer to find a role like former Ohio State receiver Jameson Williams. Rodgers has chosen the latter, returning to his home state. The same principle can go for the Notre Dame offensive line and Oklahoma running back, which the Wolfpack added. North Carolina State said a bit of everything. McCall, one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in college football, emerged a few years ago when Mullets and Teal took over the college football world. Waters was one of the top running backs in the portal. Jaly was one of the lone non-basketball bright spots for UConn.
- SMU Mustangs
Key additions: Jonathan Jefferson (Georgia), Omari Abor (Ohio State), Deuce Harmon (Texas A&M), Ashton Cozart (Oregon), Jahfari Harvey (Miami), Brashard Smith (Miami), Nate Anderson (Oklahoma), Justin Medlock (Utah), Anthony Booker Jr. (Arkansas), Mike Lockhart (West Virginia).Key losses: Marcus Bryant, Branson Hickman
Welcome to the ACC SMU. It feels weird to say that, but this is the new college football. This has a chance to be an exceptional class. SMU targeted underutilized, highly ranked players from top college programs, such as Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Miami, and Utah. Doing this helps the Mustangs compete during its first year of stiffer competition. Can SMU follow up their 11-win season in the ACC to earn a playoff spot?
- Miami Hurricanes
Key additions: Cam Ward (Washington State), Mishael Powell (Washington), Isaiah Taylor (Arizona), Savion Riley (Vanderbilt), Elijah Alston (Marshall), C.J. Clark ( NC State), Marley Cook (Middle Tennessee).
Key losses: Brashard Smith( SMU), Elijah Alston ( Marshall), Rodney Hill (Florida State), Reese Poffenbarger( Albany).
Key loses: Tyler Van Dyke (Wisconsin), Kam Kinchens (Draft), James Williams (Draft), Leonard Taylor III (Draft), Colbie Young(Georgia), Chaney (Louisville).
No one was more excited about Ward’s withdrawal from the NFL draft than Miami. Ward gives Miami something that it needs to improve in head coach Mario Cristobal’s tenure at Miami, consistency at quarterback. The Hurricanes also brought in Poffenbarger as another experienced quarterback. I will be interested to see how Taylor (son of Jason Taylor), Powell, and Riley replace Kinchens and Williams and safety. I am also curious to see the development of both lines in Cristobal’s third year at Miami. Four of the nine players were on one side of the line.
- Cal Golden Bears
Key additions: Chandler Rogers (North Texas), Kadarius Calloway (Old Dominion), Mikey Matthews ( Utah), Tobias Merriweather (via Notre Dame), Aidan Keanaaina ( Notre Dame), Teddye Buchanan (via UC Davis).Key loses: Jermiah Hunter (Washington), Jackson Sirmon (Draft), Patrick Mcmorris (Draft), Bryon Cardwell (Draft), Jeremiah Earby ( Boise State), Brian Hightower (Draft).
The Golden Bears had one of the most underrated portal classes this offseason, bringing in 11 new players. They brought in Calloway to pair with dynamic running back Jaydn Ott.
Quarterback Rodgers brings experience to the Golden Bears. Matthews and Merriweather help replace Jermiah Hunter and Hightower. Buchanan should help replace Sirmon at linebacker. Cal could rise in the rankings this year.
- Duke Blue Devils
Key additions: Maalik Murphy (Texas), Eric Schon (Holy Cross), Jack Purcell (Penn), Mike Barr (Lafayette), Micah Sahakian (Cornell), James Pogorelc (Stanford).Key losses: Riley Leonard (Notre Dame), Rj Oben (Notre Dame), Brandon Johnson (Oregon), Jordan Waters (NC State), Dorian Mausi (Auburn), Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech).
After former head coach Mike Elko took the Texas A&M job, there was a lot of turnover in the portal, especially on defense. Despite their losses, I like the addition of quarterback Malik Murphy. There is no quarterback out of the transfer portal that is a more significant boom or bust. Despite only two starts in his two years at Texas, Murphy showed enough upside to be highly coveted around the country and keep Arch Manning on the bench after starting quarterback Quinn Ewers fell to injury. Murphy has one of the strongest arms in the country, former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton Esch. If Murphy lives up to his potential, he can be better than the quarterback he replaces in Leonard and the quarterback he was sitting behind in Ewers. There is also a chance he struggles with accuracy and turnovers like Milton. All of my other key additions were those keeping Murphy protected.
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Key additions: Warren Burrell ( Tennessee), Jackson Hamilton( Louisville), Jackson Hawes (Yale), Keylan Rutledge (Middle Tennessee), Ryland Goede ( Mississippi State).Key losses: Kenyatta Watson II (Georgia State), DL Kyle Kennard (South Carolina), DL D’Quan Douse (Michigan State), Kenan Johnson( Utah), KJ Wallace(UCLA), Zach Gibson (Georgia State).
Despite the depth that Georgia Tech lost on defense, especially the line and secondary, they added quality players. Hayes and Rutledge add to one of the top offenses in the ACC. Each player outside of Hayes and Rutledge was an experienced addition on defense. The defenders were also from the SEC and ACC. After a solid start to the year, the Yellow Jackets should keep their momentum going.
- Pittsburgh Panthers
Key additions: Eli Holstein (Alabama), David Ojiegbe (Clemson), Keye Thompson (Ohio), Raphael Williams Jr. (San Diego State), Tamon Lynum (Nebraska), Nate Matlack (Kansas State), Lyndon Cooper (North Carolina State), Nick James (Indiana).
Key losses: M.J. Devonshire (Draft), A.J. Woods (Draft), John Morgan III (Draft) and Tyler Bentley (Draft), Marquis Williams (Draft), Samuel Okunlola ( Colorado), Bangally Kamara (South Carolina), DeAndre Jules( South Carolina).
The Panthers brought in a lot of high-upside players from major programs. The prospect to watch is former Alabama quarterback Eli Holstein. He is a former highly-rated recruit who got buried on the depth chart. If he plays up to his ranking, he will be an upgrade over what Pitt got from their quarterbacks last year.
- North Carolina Tar Heels
Key additions: Max Johnson (Texas A&M), Jake Johnson (Texas A&M), Jakeen Harris (NC State), Darwin Barolow, Austin Blaske (Georgia), Jakiah Leftwich (Georgia Tech).
Key losses: Drake Maye (Draft), Devontez Walker( draft), Cedric Gray( Draft), Myles Murphy(Draft), Storm Duck( Draft), Tony Grimes (Michigan State), Kamari Morales( Boston College), RB Elijah Green (Indiana)
The next stop for brothers quarterback Max Johnson and tight end Jake Johnson is in Chapel Hill. For the Tar Heels, this is an underwhelming portal class. They have to replace Maye, who is a top-three projected pick. They brought in a lot of offensive players despite losing many of their top defenders to the draft. While Max brings experience, he is more of a stop-gap option than a long-term starter. This could be a down year for North Carolina. At least they are playing good basketball this year.
- Virginia
Key additions: Chris Tyree (Notre Dame), Andre Greene Jr ( North Carolina), Trell Harris (Kent State), Drake Metcalf (UCF), Tyler Neville (Harvard), Sage Ennis (Clemson), Kempton Shine (Eastern Michigan), Kendren Smith (Penn), Jermarian Jackson (Robert Morris), Corey Thomas Jr (UCF).Key losses: Malik Washington, Olasunkonmi Agunloye.
In Virginia’s third year under Tony Elliot, they hope for more success after finishing with three wins in consecutive seasons. The Cavaliers’ approach was targeting players with Virginia ties and experience. Former Notre Dame receiver Tyree fits both. With one of the lone bright spots in Washington off to the draft, the Cavaliers have to rebuild their receiving core. Tyree, who started his career as a running back and kick returner, should help continue to bring explosive plays to the Cavaliers’ receiving room. On defense, Shine and Smith bring all-conference recognition to the backend, while Jackson was freshman all-conference.
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Key additions: Hank Bachmeier ( Louisiana Tech), Capone Blue ( Kent State), Keagen Trost( Morgan State), Branson Combs ( Southern Illinois), Mateen Ibirogba (Georgetown).Key losses: Jacob Roberts (Draft), Caelen Carson (Draft), Malik Mustapha( Draft), Ke’Shawn Williams (Indiana).
Not much went right for Wake Forest in their last-place ACC finish last year. The highlight of this year’s portal class is quarterback Bachmeier, who should provide the stability they lacked in the post-Sam Hartman position. The other additions feature players moving up from lower levels.
The most recent example of this working for the Demon Deacons featured former North Carolina A&T linebacker Roberts. Wake Forest seems to be in a rebuilding stage right now, and this might be the best approach to getting back on track.
- Virginia Tech Hokies
Key additions: Aeneas Peebles( Duke), Kelvin Gilliam Jr. (Oklahoma), Montavious Cunningham (Georgia State), Sam Brumfield( Middle Tennessee), Kemari Copeland( Western Iowa Community College).Key losses: Alan Tisdale (draft), Pheldarius Payne (Draft), Mario Kendricks( Draft), Daequan Wright (Ole Miss), Derrick Canteen (Cincinnati).
The Hookies brought in a small portal class with only five transfers. They emphasized bringing in defenders, bringing in four in total. The only other player is Sam Brumfield, who is on the offensive line. I like the additions of defensive linemen Peebles, Copeland, and Gilliam Jr., who possess upside and have experience playing on good defenses. The good news is that most of the team returns after a solid second half from Brent Fry’s team.
- Stanford Cardinals
Key additions: Jaivion Green (Washington) and Jahsiah Galvan ( Northern Iowa).Key losses: E.J. Smith, Benjamin Yurosek (Georgia), Alaka’i Gilman, Jaxson Moi.
Another new addition to the ACC. Due to the high academic standards, it is hard for Stanford to keep up in the transfer portal. They only added two recruits in Jaivion Green and Jahsiah Galvan. Green is coming off a championship game. Galvan was highly coveted, and Stanford was able to flip him from Wisconsin. Galvan was on the all-freshman team and should instantly help on defense. Look for improvement in Troy Taylor’s second year as head coach.
- Clemson
Key additions: N/A.Key losses: Tyler Davis (Draft), Andrew Mukuba (Texas), Beaux Collins (Notre Dame), Toriano Pride (Missouri).
The last team should not be surprising to anyone. Guess how many players Dabo Swinney has brought since the transfer portal era. Two backup quarterbacks, Paul Tyson (last year) and Hunter Johnson in 2022. This year looked like more of the same for Clemson, with the Tigers not adding any players via the transfer portal. Despite being in the mix for running back Trevor Etiene, brother of former Clemson back Travis, he decided to go to Georgia. The biggest knock-on Swinney has been his inability to adjust to the new college football landscape. While it was unfair to criticize Swinney when he was winning, his team hasn’t been in playoff contention since Trevor Lawerence was his starting quarterback. This makes people wonder how much of his success was based on solid quarterback play. We will find out as time goes on.
