Transfer Portal: Top 25 best available in the portal following National Signing Day

The NCAA transfer portal is well into its third full week of being open, yet there remain plenty of top-notch prospects who have not yet chosen a home. Today, On3 stops to take a look at some of the best available prospects remaining.

There are still a decent mix of players available at various positions, though there’s an obvious premium on players in the trenches that have already proven they can play.

Let’s take a look at the top 25 best available players currently in the NCAA transfer portal. The list begins with a familiar face up at No. 1.

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

Walter Nolen’s name has officially been in the NCAA transfer portal for more than a week, putting a former five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 recruiting class back on the market. There has been no shortage of suitors for Nolen, with Ole Miss and Oregon seeming to take the early lead for Nolen’s services..

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. Evan Stewart, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

Stewart just wrapped up his second season at Texas A&M, and while he didn’t have the breakout campaign many expected it was still a strong season overall. Stewart finished with 38 catches for 514 yards and four touchdowns.

While his touchdowns were up from his freshman season, his catches and yardage as down, suggesting there’s more in the tank still for Stewart. In the right offense he could easily be a 1,000-yard receiver.

3. 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 passing and 119 touchdowns. He’s also run for 16 scores.

4. 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.

5. Trevor Etienne, Running Back, Florida

Last week, 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.

6. A.J. Harris, Cornerback, Georgia

Harris saw the field sporadically throughout his freshman season this fall. Playing in seven of the first eight games, he totaled eight stops. That included a team-high four tackles in the second game of the year against Ball State. However, Harris did not see the field again once the calendar turned to November.

Harris was one of the top-ranked four-star players in the country, coming in at No. 39 overall and No. 3 among cornerbacks according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was also selected to play in the 2023 All-American Bowl. He committed to Georgia over the likes of Florida, Clemson and Ohio State before joining the Bulldogs for practices in their preparation for the College Football Playoffs.

7. Lajohntay Wester, Wide Receiver, FAU

One of the top wide receivers in the Group of Five this past season, Wester ranked No. 2 in the nation in receptions this year with 108. His 1,168 receiving yards ranked 11th in FBS, too. Wester also grabbed eight touchdowns, averaging 10.8 yards per reception. 

The Owls finished 4-8 this season, failing to make a bowl game. The program’s all-time leader in receptions was a bright spot, however, leading the team in receiving yards and earning first-team All-AAC honors. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound receiver put up 100+ yard games against Clemson and Illinois.

8. 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.

9. Kamari Ramsey, Safety, UCLA

Ramsey entered the NCAA transfer portal recently, putting one of the better young Pac-12 safeties up for grabs. The redshirt freshman saw his first real action during the 2023 season after enrolling in 2022 and playing very sparingly during the 2022 season.

The UCLA safety started in 11 games for the Bruins and managed to put up quite impressive numbers. He finished the year with 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.

10. Nyland Green, Defensive Back, Georgia

Green just wrapped up his third season with the Bulldogs, and he’s been reasonably involved for the past two seasons, though not a top-line contributor. He saw action in 10 games in 2022, then 13 games in 2023, beginning to get more experience.

The numbers weren’t necessarily anything to write home about, but Green has some real raw ability. He finished with seven tackles, a half tackle for a loss and one pass breakup in 2023.

Transfer Portal Top 25 — 11-25:

11. QB DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
12. CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
13. QB Maalik Murphy, Texas
14. WR Colbie Young, Miami
15. QB KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
16. WR Mikey Matthews, Utah
17. QB Malachi Nelson, USC
18. TE Corey Dyches, Maryland
19. S Phillip Dunnam, Indiana
20. QB Jordan McCloud, James Madison
21. WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State
22. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tulane
23. CB Jaylen Stinson, Duke
24. DL Ja’Maree Caldwell, Houston
25. OT Luke Newman, Holy Cross

The list from 11-25 of the best available transfers still has some extremely high-quality names, including a number of high-profile quarterbacks. Uiagalelei, Murphy, Jefferson and Nelson should all draw significant interest in the portal given their ability and/or production to this point. While Uiagalelei and Jefferson have both proven it at the college level, Murphy and Nelson have immense talent and were highly rated as recruits. There are also several excellent receivers on the list, as well as a smattering of talent at other positions. In any case, the transfer portal moves quickly and this list will likely look significantly different in the next 24 hours, so stay tuned.