Five big winners from the NCAA Transfer Portal in 2022

With the May 1 deadline behind us, On3 has released the final transfer portal rankings of the 2022 cycle. It’s obvious some schools are adapting to the shifting landscape of the portal dominating the recruiting scene, because why develop a blue-chip prospect when proven stars are opening their commitments back up?

With over 1,000 athletes entering the transfer portal across Division I collegiate sports, here are On3’s top five winners from this year’s college football transfer portal cycle.

1. USC Trojans

Notable players added through transfer portal: Quarterback Caleb Williams (Oklahoma), wide receiver Mario Williams (Oklahoma), linebacker Shane Lee (Alabama)

While USC sits with the No. 51 overall recruiting class, their transfer portal class comes in at No. 1 after landing the top quarterback in this year’s cycle, former five-star recruit and Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams. Follow that up with a potential commitment from Jordan Addison, and Lincoln Riley will quickly have a new-look USC team only months after his arrival.

While Williams, Addison and Williams top a list that is 14-deep, there are several others than can be instant-impact performers on Riley’s inaugural squad, such as former four-star recruits running bak Austin Jones (Stanford), cornerback Latrell McCutchin (Oklahoma) and wideout Brenden Rice (Colorado).

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Notable players added through transfer portal: Running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama), cornerback Eli Ricks (LSU), wide receiver Jermaine Burton (Georgia)

The Crimson Tide kept it short and sweet in their transfer portal ventures this offseason, though their class boasts five strong players coming into the program. Highlighted by Gibbs, Ricks and Burton, wide receiver Tyler Harrell (Louisville) and offensive tackle Tyler Steen (Vanderbilt) round out the class. Gibbs gives a major boost to the Alabama running back room, which lost Brian Robinson Jr. to the NFL and lacks experience.

Despite coming in with the No. 2 transfer portal class, Alabama once again dominated the traditional high school recruiting rankings as well, finishing its 2022 class ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Texas A&M.

3. Texas Longhorns

Notable players added through transfer portal: Quarterback Quinn Ewers (Ohio State), wide receiver Agiye Hall (Alabama), cornerback Ryan Watts (Ohio State)

The addition of former No. 1 overall recruit and five-star-plus quarterback Quinn Ewers alone gives Texas a spot on this list. After redshirting his first season at Ohio State, Ewers elected to hit the transfer portal and seems to have had a productive spring with the Longhorns.

Much like Alabama, Texas only has five transfers in the year’s cycle. Aside from Ewers, three former four-star recruits join the list, while at the same time bringing in the No. 5 overall recruiting class for 2022.

4. Ole Miss Rebels

Notable players added through transfer portal: Quarterback Jaxson Dart (USC), running back Zach Evans (TCU), tight end Michael Trigg (USC)

When you lose a superstar like Matt Corral, the only way to reload is to find someone who fits that same mold. Enter, Jaxson Dart. The former USC quarterback and the No. 3 quarterback in the 2022 transfer portal cycle, Dart should come in as the day one starter for Lane Kiffin’s Rebels and keep them in contention for another New Year’s Six Bowl game. Still, all signs point to the quarterback competition with Luke Altmyer carrying over to the fall.

While everyone has been talking up Dart, former five-star running back Zach Evans will suit up for Ole Miss next season after leading TCU in rushing last season with 648 yards on 92 attempts and five touchdowns along with 130 receiving yards and another touchdown.

5. South Carolina Gamecocks

Notable players added through transfer portal: Quarterback Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma), cornerback Lovasea Carroll (Georgia), tight end Austin Stogner (Oklahoma)

Shane Beamer and company are quickly changing the national perspective of the South Carolina Gamecocks as a mid-level SEC East squad, to a legitimate contender for major recruits, transfers, and may soon be at the level where they can compete with the likes of Georgia in the division.

The first step in that process was securing the commitment of former five-star quarterback Spencer Rattler. With his former OU teammate in Austin Stogner joining him in Columbia, along with the talented recruiting class and retiring players, Beamer has the rest of the SEC on notice heading into the 2022 season.

Full 2022 On3 Transfer Portal Ranking