The 2023-24 transfer portal cycle is on pace to be another record-setting one, with 2,700 scholarship college football players already in the portal at the FBS level. So far, more than 1,500 have announced commitments as the 14-day spring transfer window comes to a close.
In an effort to help you keep track of who’s going where and which top transfers are still on the market, The Athletic ranks the best available players in the portal.
Transfers are ranked based on their experience, production, potential, interest they’re generating and feedback from coaches throughout the country. This is a fluid list that we’ll constantly update as players make decisions, so be sure to keep this one bookmarked.
GO DEEPER
Top takeaways from Day 1 of CFB’s spring transfer portal window
1. DE Tyler Baron, Louisville: The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior from Knoxville, Tenn., was a productive edge rusher for the Vols for three years and is coming off his best season yet with 28 tackles, 41 pressures, 10.5 TFLs and six sacks. Baron was one of the most coveted edge defenders in the portal back in December and initially committed to Ole Miss before flipping to Louisville. After going through spring ball with the Cardinals, Baron is back on the market for his final season of eligibility. USC, Miami and Ole Miss are in the mix here.
2. WR Elijhah Badger, Arizona State: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound playmaker has been the Sun Devils’ leading receiver in back-to-back seasons and produced a total of 135 catches for 1,579 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, which is tough to do when your team plays five different QBs over those two seasons. Badger was set to be one of the top returning wideouts in the Big 12 this fall and has two more seasons of eligibility, but he’s a likely draft pick a year from now if he puts together another strong year. Washington and Arizona got his first official visits.
3. DT CJ West, Kent State: The 6-foot-2, 315-pound senior developed into a three-year starter for the Flashes, with 110 tackles, 59 pressures, 19.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in his career. West graded out as the top defensive tackle in the MAC last season according to Pro Football Focus and picked up third-team All-MAC honors from the league’s coaches. He became one of the most popular players in the portal as soon as he entered, with LSU, Miami and Texas A&M among a long list of Power 5 offers.
