Transfer Portal: Top 25 best available college football players

As the NCAA Transfer Portal continues receive new names looking for fresh destinations, debate rages regarding where the best spot for each player looking for a fresh start would be.

Amid the chaos, On3 has compiled a list of the current Top 25 players in the NCAA Transfer Portal, which continues to update. From expectation-raising quarterbacks to show-stopping defenders, there’s an impact player at seemingly every position in the portal. 

Moreover, the list utilizes the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average, based on their collegiate performance to date. Here’s who the best of the best in the NCAA Transfer Portal are at the moment. 

1. Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M

After a little bit of back and forth, Walter Nolen’s name officially hit the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday, putting a former five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 recruiting class back on the market. There will be no shortage of suitors for Nolen.

Nolen started 10 games across two seasons for the Aggies, proving to be a disruptive force in the middle of the defense. He logged 66 tackles, 11.0 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.

2. Cam Ward, Quarterback, Washington State

This is the second time around that Ward is hitting the transfer market, after going from Incarnate Word to Washington State. Like last time, Ward is likely to significantly upgrade his prospects after showing what he can do at the Power Five level.

Ward has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, while he has topped 20 touchdowns in each of the last four seasons. He’s one of the most prolific career passers in the country, tallying 13,874 yards pasing and 119 touchdowns. He’s also run for 16 scores.

3. Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida

Princely Umanmielen has spent all four years with the Gators, appearing in 45 games and making 24 starts in the process. His breakout year came in 2023, leading Florida in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries earning himself All-SEC Second Team honors and a spot on the USA Today Sports Network All-SEC Team.

In his 12 starts this season Umanmielen notched a career-highs in tackles-for-loss with 11.5, seven sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, and a career-high in tying 39 tackles. Umanmielen was the Gators’ highest-graded defensive player this season according to Pro Football Focus, ending his Florida career with 98 total tackles, 15 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.

4. Dante Moore, Quarterback, UCLA

The former five-star prospect played right away for UCLA this year but didn’t hold the starting job throughout the season, as UCLA split snaps between Moore, Ethan Garbers and Collin Schlee. Moore showed some real talent but still had some polishing to do.

The UCLA freshman threw for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he did so while also throwing nine interceptions. Going forward, Moore will need to cut down on the turnovers, but whoever lands him will be getting a real raw talent.

5. Trey Moore, EDGE, UTSA

In his second season as a major contributor, Moore emerged as an even bigger threat off the edge, a constant thorn in the side of opposing quarterbacks. His numbers alone will get him a look from just about every major program in the country.

Moore finished the 2023 campaign with 45 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, 14.0 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and four pass breakups. In two years he has 35.5 tackles for a loss and 22.0 sacks.

6. Will Howard, Quarterback, Kansas State

One of the most talented quarterbacks to hit the market this offseason, Howard showed what he could do for a contending Kansas State team. He was a major reason why the Wildcats won eight games this season.

In four seasons with the Wildcats, Howard completed 59% of his passes while throwing for close to 5,800 yards and 48 touchdowns. He served as a part-time starter in 2022 and took over as the Wildcats’ QB1 in 2023, leading them to an 8-4 record.

7. Trevor Etienne, Running Back, Florida

On Thursday, Trevor Etienne broke the hearts of Gators faithful everywhere when he decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. One of the more electrifying players in the SEC, Etienne had endeared himself to Florida fans, but now will be moving on with his collegiate career.

Etienne saw his production increase slightly in 2022, rushing for 753 yards — second only to Montrell Johnson — and a team-high eight touchdowns as a sophomore. He also got more involved in the passing game, hauling in 21 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown in the air.

8. Kamari Ramsey, Safety, UCLA

After UCLA lost their defensive coordinator to their crosstown rival, they lost one of their star players, as well. The Bruins saw safety Kamari Ramsey leave for the NCAA Transfer Portal, and he’ll be looking for a fresh start in 2024.

Over the last two seasons, the now-former Bruins defensive back amassed 45 total tackles, 4 passes defensed and one interception. He flashed his innate ability, and will be looking to continue doing that wherever he ends up.

9. Monroe Mills, Offensive Tackle, Texas Tech

Mills will be on his second transfer this offseason after going from Oklahoma State to Texas Tech originally. But he’s a graduate transfer, so he’ll still be able to play right away in 2024.

The talented 6-foot-6 tackle has been a regular starter for Texas Tech for the past two years, starting on both sides of the line. He started 10 games at right tackle in 2022, then started 12 games at left tackle in 2023. He’ll be an experienced option up front for someone.

10. Chase Bisontis, Offensive Lineman, Texas A&M

A highly impressive offensive lineman, Chase Bisontis was the latest Aggies star to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Bisontis started all 12 games at right tackle for the Aggies as a true freshman. He earned On3 Freshman All-American honors for his debut season.

Bisontis played high school football at Don Bosco (N.J.) Prep, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 46 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. There’ll be no shortage of suitors for him moving forward.

Transfer Portal Top 25 — 11-25:

11) QB Aidan Chiles, Oregon State
12) DL Joey Slackman, Penn
13) QB Riley Leonard, Duke
14) S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
15) WR Juice Wells, South Carolina
16) EDGE Tyler Baron, Tennessee
17) RB Rocket Sanders, Arkansas
18) QB Kyle McCord, Ohio State
19) WR Caullin Lacy, South Alabama
20) TE Justin Joly, UConn
21) WR Will Sheppard, Vanderbilt
22) QB Dequan Finn, Toledo
23) DL LT Overton, Texas A&M
24) CB Nyland Green, Georgia
25) EDGE RJ Oben, Duke

As you can see, there’s a ton of top talent in the NCAA Transfer Portal, and these players are bound to become important contributors at their next stop. We’ll see where they end up, and if any new names pop up in the Top 25 moving forward.