Nic Scourton, Deion Burks headline 10 transfers who look poised to make a major impact in 2024

The spring transfer portal window is open for business, with teams across the country looking to supplement their roster with upgrades for next season. 

But what about the most notable transfers from the winter window?

With most of the hay already in the barn, the majority of impact players from the 2024 portal cycle are already on campus their new teams. Plenty of transfers from the winter window created buzz this spring, including Texas A&M pass rusher Nic Scourton and Oklahoma wideout Deion Burks — both of whom bolted Purdue for the SEC. 

They’re not the only ones, though. 

Below are 10 transfers, including the ex-Purdue duo, who caught my attention this spring and stand to make noise in the 2024 season.

Notably, this is not some end-all list. 

Many others who didn’t make the cut merit mention including Florida State tailback Roydell Williams, Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Georgia tailback Trevor Etienne, Missouri edge Darris Smith, Penn State corner AJ Harris, Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell and more.

EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

The No. 1 pass rusher out of the portal this offseason lived up to his billing in Texas A&M’s spring game. There’s been little information out of Aggies Land the last few months, but Scourton, the Purdue transfer, made all sorts of noise Saturday. 

He was a game-wrecker off the edge, recording at least four sacks. The Texas native led the Big Ten in sacks in 2023 with 10 and he could have a monster season for the Aggies playing opposite Shemar Stewart.

WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma

Poor Purdue, Nic Scourton wasn’t the only ex-Boilermaker to turn heads this spring, as Deion Burks looks like a future star in the SEC. The talk of the Sooners’ spring practice followed up a month’s worth of buzz with a monster Red & White Game, finishing with nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. 

The 5-11, 200-pound playmaker routinely got behind Oklahoma’s secondary and has quickly carved out a chemistry with sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold. Other transfer receivers generated more headlines this offseason, but I wouldn’t bet against Burks having the best season of the bunch.

DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Buckeyes might have the best secondary in the country in 2024. Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock are lockdown corners and the addition of former Alabama All-American safety Caleb Downs was the cherry on top for the Buckeyes’ defense. 

Downs didn’t do a ton in Ohio State’s scrimmage, but he generated plenty of attention throughout the spring. The former 5-star recruit has a legitimate chance to be the best defensive player in the country in 2024, potentially leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship — or more.

WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

Bernard isn’t Jameson Williams, but the Washington transfer could have a similar impact for Alabama as Williams after playing behind a trio of NFL receivers the last few seasons with the Huskies. 

Bernard emerged as the Tide’s top weapon this spring, capping the last six weeks with a big A-Day performance. He has real after-the-catch juice and can play multiple positions in Kalen DeBoer’s scheme. The junior is going to have a breakout season in Alabama’s offense in 2024.

WR Colbie Young, Georgia

Young led the ACC in contested catch-rate in 2023, but the Miami wideout transferred to Georgia to play in an offense more fitting to his talents. Young gives the Bulldogs their best big-body, jump-ball threat since Javon Wims — a Miami native — in 2017 (720 yards, seven touchdowns). 

Young showcased what he could provide for Georgia’s offense on G-Day, using his 6-3, 218-pound frame to outmuscle a big corner on a fade route for a touchdown. 

WR Isaiah Bond, Texas

Texas has totally reloaded its receiver room, and the former Alabama speedster stands as the most intriguing new option in the Longhorns’ offense. Bond is tasked with replacing Xavier Worthy’s role as the vertical threat, and while there were some spotty moments in the Longhorns’ spring game (couple of drops including a potential touchdown), Bond did haul in a 75-yard touchdown by simply out-running Texas’ entire defense. 

Bond teased his electric speed and playmaking ability for Alabama last season (48 catches for 668 yards and four scores) but he should have even more opportunities in Texas’ pass-happy scheme.

DE Marvin Jones Jr., Florida State

The former 5-star transfer from Georgia never emerged as a real threat off the edge for the Bulldogs, but the Seminoles legacy looked much more comfortable as a true defensive end in FSU’s spring game. 

The 6-5, 250-pound junior harassed DJ Uiagalelei into several hurried throws and recorded at least 1.5 “sacks.” 

He also almost had an interception against Uiagalelei, dropping into zone coverage and deflecting a pass that bounced off his facemask. If Jones can unlock is potential, Florida State might have the best pass rush combo with Patrick Payton working on the other side. 

RB Jordan Waters, NC State

The Wolfpack had one of the worst rushing offenses in conference play last season, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry with only eight touchdowns. With multiple in-season opt-outs and injuries, NC State was forced to start four tailbacks in 2023, so Dave Doeren made sure to address that problem in the initial portal window by grabbing Duke’s top running back. 

Waters certainly looked like a good fit with NC State in its spring game, averaging nearly 10.0 yards per carry. The fifth-year senior has good vision and quick fit, and will provide the Wolfpack some much-needed stability in the backfield.

OT Percy Lewis, Auburn

The Tigers looked to upgrade their offensive line this spring, bringing in former Mississippi State tackle Percy Lewis hoping he could grab the left tackle job. The senior played in 25 games for the Bulldogs but made just seven career starts. Lewis showed up to the Plains eager to prove himself, and it sure seems like he did, with Auburn exiting the spring feeling comfortable with their new starting left tackle. 

Lewis has worked mostly in an Air Raid offense, but the 6-8, 360-pound senior looked physical enough in Hugh Freeze’s more run-balanced attack. 

LB Grayson ‘Pup’ Howard, Florida

Howard spent his freshman season at South Carolina, recording 19 tackles with a forced fumble as a backup in 11 games. But the Jacksonville native transferred closer to home this spring, and the former 4-star looks to have added some bite to a Florida linebacker room decimated with injuries.

Howard had a strong spring, capped with an Orange & Blue game where he led the team in tackles and had a big pass breakup in the red zone. At 6-4, nearly 240 pounds, he gives the Gators a much-needed thumper at inside linebacker.