Transfer Portal: Top 25 best available college football players in the portal

As the NCAA Transfer Portal continues receive high-profile athletes 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. 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.

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

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.

6. Cayden Green, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

Green was a freshman on the Sooners team this season and played well in his first season of college football. He started seven games for Oklahoma as a true freshman. Green was one of the top offensive linemen in the class of 2023 when he signed with the Sooners. 

The On3 Industry rankings tabbed Cayden Green as the No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 95 overall player in the country. He played well for a Sooners offense that ranked No. 5 nationally in total offense at 502.4 yards per game. Oklahoma also rushed for 181 yards per contest.

7. 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.

8. Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE, Georgia

Across two seasons in Athens, Jones appeared in over 20 games for the Bulldogs as a reserve. However, he came to the program with high expectations, as a top recruit in the country.

Jones played high school football at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 20 overall recruit and No. 4 EDGE in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Transfer Portal Top 25 — 11-25:

11) OL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
12) S Kamari Ramsey, UCLA
13) S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
14) CB Nyland Green, Georgia
15) CB Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State
16) QB DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
17) DL LT Overton, Texas A&M
18) CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
19) TE Jake Johnson, Texas A&M
20) QB Maalik Murphy, Texas
21) EDGE Fadil Diggs, Texas A&M
22) LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia
23) EDGE Mikail Kamara, James Madison
24) WR Mikey Matthews, Utah
25) TE Corey Dyches, Maryland

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.