College Transfer Portal: Top 25 rankings for the 2023 session

A slew of talent has sprouted up the college football transfer portal since all players were allowed in on Dec. 5. The transfer portal has been an integral part of college football since its inception in 2018, and it has changed how college programs build their roster. This 2023 cycle suggests knowing the biggest roster turnover yet with the NIL, one-time transfer exception and bonus Covid year all creating good excuses to test the waters. There are approximately 1,500 FBS players in the transfer portal as of December 16th.

Since December 5, 247Sports has assigned rankings to over 100 transfers – ratings based on 75 to 100 determine the 247Sports team’s transfer ratings as well as the overall ratings. But in the world of transfer, with so much information and new information flying fast, it’s always important to double check your work and that’s what we did today by revamping the top 25 transfer portal players in the standings for the 2023 tournament. The introduction gave us the opportunity to revisit a number of players and give them new ratings, affecting our top 25 rankings. Note that we have offered a long list of players with an extension Ratings; After the Top 25, these players are not ranked in any particular order but will still appear in the “Top” tab of 247Sports.

How do ratings work?

The 247Sports Transfer Rankings team assigns players a rating on a ladder of 75 to 100, using an updated and proprietary sliding scale. Factors that determine ratings include movie, advanced stats, sports attributes, on-the-ground information for next-level productions, a peak performance schedule, an NFL draft drop, and more.

Given the number of talented players entering each day, this list is seamless and captures a moment in time (current as of the night of December 15th). It will change by the end of the weekend.

We begin our rankings with a relatively off-the-radar player who appears in the movie.

1. Ernst Hausmann, LB, 96 (committed to Michigan, from Nebraska): Already in the boat for the Wolverines, linebacker Ernst Hausmann He played 475 snaps as a true freshman for Nebraska and demonstrated the ability to play in the penalty area and influence the running game but also carry vertical paths against a pass. Hausmann must step in and be the difference maker in the permanent program playoffs with at least two more years of eligibility remaining. Hausmann was a three-star recruit in the class of 2022 from Columbus, Nebraska.

2. Denver Harris, CB, 96 (from Texas A&M): A former Top 50 prospect in the Class of 2022, Harris has appeared at Texas A&M this year in limited snaps, but has also found himself in some trouble off the field. Harris navigates like an elite player with special coverage skills and instinctive qualities in the position.

3. Ventril Cypress, CB, 95 (from Virginia): Cypress has an undeniable ball production (14 PBUs in 2022) and is always all about soccer. He’s got the size to be a complete player and impress the running game as a willing defender. Cypress has been courted by a number of high-profile suitors since its entry last week.

4. Devin Leary, QB, 94 (from NC State): Leary was one of the best signal callers in college football in 2021, throwing for 35 touchdowns and five interceptions. Leary’s 2022 season did not go well and ended prematurely with a torn right thorax in October. Leary has had successful surgery to repair it and is on the mend. How quickly he gets back in the saddle will be a springtime story for whichever program he chooses. Leary has impressive extension play skills and throws extremely well on the go. He’s spent much of the past 10 days as a QB1 in the gate, then slipped under Grayson McCall in our minds as McCall entered, but upon further review, we trust Leary as the mars even more.

5. Grayson McCall, QB, 94: (From Coastal Carolina)The Coastal Carolina transfer was a two-time Sun Belt MVP with special passing and running ability. McCall threw 78 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions in his time at Coastal Carolina and was consistently ranked as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. A proper scheme will be very important to McCall as he moves on from Coastal Carolina and looks for a platform to improve his future NFL stock.

6. Dominic Lovett, WR, 94: (From Missouri): Third in the SEC in receiving yards, Lovett can play indoors or outdoors and has unique separating skills. He had 10 catches for 148 yards in a game against South Carolina High School this year.

7. Jaheim Bell, TE, 94: (committed to Florida, from South Carolina): Bell is a turning running back, tight end and wide receiver with great run after catch skills and explosive playmaking ability. Bell had 261 rushing yards this year, and also caught 25 passes for 231 yards, and was sometimes frustrated by his lack of touches. Florida State coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins expected to prioritize feeding Bill the Rock.

8. Javon Cohen, OL, 93 (from Alabama): Cohen has made 25 appearances in the past two seasons with Alabama as an offensive guard. He was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2020. As the best offensive lineman in the gate, he expected Cohen to make an immediate impact in his next program.

9. Hudson QB 93: (from Texas): The Texas quarterback’s transition was very strong this year when he came in Queen Ewers And a card that has all the attributes to be a highly productive quarterback in college. He has thrown six touchdowns for one interception this year and has completed 69.4% of his passes.

10. Dassin McCulloughEDGE, 93 (committed from Oklahoma, from Indiana): Brent Venables may have the next elite defensive chess piece in McCullough, who is six-foot-five and 230 pounds and can dash off the rim or land in coverage. Moving like a wide receiver, McCullough is expected to be deployed all over defense for an Oklahoma defense that needs a retool. He had four sacks as a freshman in 2022.

11. Ladarius Henderson, OL, 93 (committed to Michigan, from Arizona): Henderson, an offensive lineman ranked second in the transfer gate, will be stepping in at Michigan as the Wolverines are known for developing highly recruiting picks on the offensive line. Henderson has the knack for playing several different positions if need be.

12. Rara Thomas, WR, 92 (from Mississippi): An SEC wide receiver (44 receptions, 626 yards, seven TDs), Thomas has the ability to get coverage behind the coverage but also has nice size and strength to pick up yards under.

13. Dorian Singer, WR, 92 (From Arizona): No. 1 in the Pac-12 in receiving yards (1,105) and No. 6 in receptions (66) and yards per catch (16.7), Singer is a bona fide nail with a smooth trajectory and speed to open it.

14. AJ Cornelius, OL, 92 (From Rhode Island): Rhode Island right tackle has been a consistent player at the FCS level, earning First Team All-CAA Football honors in 2022. He has had offers from schools like Ohio State and Oregon to name a few.

15. Tunmise Adeleye, DL, 92 (From Texas A&M): And theOrmer was a top 100 prospect at Texas A&M for two years, and redshirted in 2021, before entering the transfer gate. He started the first two games of the season and then appeared in one more game for the rest of 2022. Adele has options like Michigan State, Miami, and Southern Cal to choose from.

16. Eric Uhl, TE, 92 (committed to Iowa, from Michigan): In 2021, All caught 38 passes for 437 yards and two stars, including the game winner against Penn State. He looked like a star of the future — only to be sidelined for most of 2022, with his season ending in minimally invasive spine surgery. We bet everyone to bounce back in Iowa City has outstanding physiques and ultimate toughness. The Hawkeyes are known to develop great tight ends and All could definitely be next and a link up with QB Cade McNamara will help him.

17. Dante Cephas, WR, 92 (From Kent State): Former Kent State receiver Dante Sivas was a MACtion star in 2022 and had a game this season catching 13 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown. Cephas possesses size, speed, and post-hunt playmaking habits. Georgia and Colorado are among those pursuing it.

18. Jeremiah Byers, OL, 92 (from UTEP): Byers chose to transfer after a breakout season with the Miners, posting a 79.4 Pro Football Focus on the year. Byers has an impressive blocking ability on the go and can be a difference-maker for the Power Five right away.

19. Colin Schley, QB, 92; (from Kent): Another Kent State transfer happened in our first 25 games, and there’s more to come than the former coach’s move to Colorado to be Deion Sanders’ offensive coordinator. As for Shelley, hHe possesses exciting instrumentation as a passer-by, with a loose arm and the ability to improvise. He had solid outings at Oklahoma (11-19, 131 yards), Georgia (14-21/174 1 TD), and Miami-Ohio (23-40/306 yards/3 TDs).

20. DJ Uiagalelei, QB, 91 (From Clemson): DJU could have the best physical skill set of any quarterback in the country with his arm strength and ramming action (913 yards in his career). But after early success in 2020 and the early part of 2022, he’s had a lot of trouble paying attention to football accuracy and pitch states. DJU has to regain confidence in his arm and tackle defenses. A change of scenery and scheme should help the former star regain his form.

21. Chris Marshall, WR, 91 (From Texas A&M): A former five-star in the class of 2022, Marshall has great size and athletic ability as an outside target. He started two games this season for the Aggies before hitting the gate. Marshall was also suspended at one point during the season. It must be widely coveted with red zone threat and hunting radius.

22. Trashawn Holden, WR, 91 (Committed to Oregon, from Alabama): Holden can play on all levels of the field and put up 46 catches for 570 yards and seven touchdowns in two years at the Tidepool. He should be a nice replacement for the Oregon receivers who got into the transfer gate.

23. Dillon Wade, OL, 91 (from Tulsa): Wade was drafted in 2020, and has been very consistent in 2022 as a pass blocker and in the running game. He is one of the most sought after offensive linemen in the gate with offers from Oklahoma, USC and Ohio State to name a few.

24. Josiah Stewart, EDGE, 91 (from Coastal Carolina): As a true freshman this past season, Stewart played in all 13 games for Coastal Carolina, recording 43 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Last season, he recorded 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, and a forced fumble.

25. Brennan Armstrong, QB, 91 (from Virginia): The five-year-old will move schools for his sixth season of eligibility and could finish seventh after the NCAA granted an extra year to all Virginia players. Armstrong had a breakout season in 2021, passing for 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He struggled in 2022, throwing seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Armstrong originally assigned us an 89 rating, but upon further review, the 91 was more suited to someone producing it, despite a troubling 2022 season. Armstrong also has some dual threat abilities, rushing for over 1,200 yards in his career.

Click here for the latest Transfer Portal Player Rankings for 2023