2024 Spring College Football Transfer Portal Tracker: Updates & Breakdowns for the Biggest Moves

2024 Spring College Football Transfer Portal Tracker: Updates & Breakdowns for the Biggest Moves article feature image
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Getty Images. Pictured (left to right): Former Ball State quarterback Kiael Kelly, former Iowa/current Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and former Toledo/Louisville running back Peny Boone.

Spring games are wrapping up for college football programs around the country, which means one thing: It's time for the spring transfer portal window to open.

Plenty of players already entered the portal and found new homes after the 2023-24 season. In case you need a slight refresher:

  • Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei to Florida State
  • Washington State QB Cam Ward to Miami
  • Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson to UCF
  • Kansas State QB Will Howard to Ohio State
  • Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall to NC State
  • Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State
  • USC QB Malachi Nelson to Boise State
  • Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart to Oregon
  • UNLV QB Jayden Maiava to USC
  • Alabama WR Isaiah Bond to Texas
  • Mississippi State QB Will Rogers to Washington

And that's just a small sample. For a larger sample, be sure to check out our previous transfer portal tracker from the turn of the calendar.

Now, with spring ball wrapping up and depth charts becoming clearer across the nation, we can expect a lot more players to put themselves on that list.

We're here to keep you up to date on some of the biggest spring transfer portal moves in college football, so be sure to check back daily between now and April 30 — when the portal closes again — to see if any game-changing players have found a new home for the 2024 season.


Wednesday, May 1

Louisville RB Peny Boone to UCF

Former Louisville running back Peny Boone is on the move again. After transferring to play for the Cardinals from Toledo in January, Boone is back in the portalhas committed to head coach Gus Malzahn and the UCF Knights.

Boone ran for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry with the Rockets in 2023, ranking eighth nationally in rushing yards and third in yards per carry among running backs with at least 100 attempts.

He'll boost a backfield that already features RJ Harvey, who has run for 2,212 yards and 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

The loss of Boone is a big one for the Cardinals and head coach Jeff Brohm, who lost both Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo to the NFL Draft.


Tuesday, April 30

Arkansas QB Jacolby Criswell to North Carolina

Jacolby Criswell is heading back to North Carolina.

Criswell, who backed up KJ Jefferson at Arkansas and Drake Maye and Sam Howell at North Carolina, is back for a fourth season in Chapel Hill under Mack Brown.

One of the more talented quarterbacks in the portal, the former four-star recruit threw for 143 yards and three touchdowns and added 44 yards on the ground in four games.

UCLA QB Collin Schlee to Virginia Tech

Former Kent State and UCLA quarterback Collin Schlee is heading to Virginia Tech.

Schlee completed 25 of his 45 passes for 217 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions last season while sitting behind Dante Moore and Ethan Garbers in Westwood. He also ran for 425 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2022, his last full season as a starter, Schlee threw for 2,109 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions on 59% passing while adding 492 yards and four scores on the ground for Kent State.

Schlee will presumably be in a competition with incumbent starter Kyron Drones.


Sunday, April 28

Colorado RB Dylan Edwards to Kansas State

Starting Colorado running back Dylan Edwards is heading to Manhattan. Edwards committed to Kansas State on SUnday, giving head coach Chris Klieman and the Wildcats a big boost in the backfield.

Edwards led the Buffs with 321 rushing yards on 76 carries and contributed a score on the ground. He also hauled in 36 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.

The addition of Edwards is big for Kansas State because he's a versatile back who can pick up yards on the ground with his speed and elusiveness and make an impact as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

The pairing of Edwards and DJ Giddens — who ran for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago — should be a fun tandem in the backfield for the Wildcats.

Edwards is just the latest Colorado back to leave Boulder, following the lead of Alton McCaskill IV and Anthony Hankerson.

It's not all bad news for Colorado's backfield, though. The Buffaloes received a commitment from former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden earlier this cycle.

Auburn WR Jay Fair to USC

Jay Fair, one of Auburn's top receivers, is heading to SoCal to join Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans.

Fair hauled in 31 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns a season ago. He'll have a chance to replace the production of Tahj Washington (NFL Draft), Brenden Rice (NFL Draft), Mario Williams (transfer to Tulane) and Dorian Singer (transfer to Utah).

It makes sense that Fair decided to leave Auburn, as the Tigers recently added five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis to the receiving corps.

Houston WR Sam Brown to Miami

Former Houston wide receiver Sam Brown is taking his talents to South Beach. After entering the portal, Brown — the Cougars' leading receiver in 2023 — announced he would join Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.

Brown finished last season with 62 catches for 815 yards and three scores.

He'll be a welcome addition for a Hurricanes offense that's also adding Washington State quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon State running back Damien Martinez, who were two of the most highly-touted players in the transfer portal.

Add Brown, Ward and Martinez to a Miami offense that already features proven playmakers like 1,000-yard receiver Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, and there could be some offensive fireworks in Coral Gables.


Saturday, April 27

Oregon State RB Damien Martinez to Miami

Oregon State running back Damien Martinez has officially committed to Miami.

Martinez has run for 2,167 yards to go along with 16 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Those numbers are even more impressive considering the fact he split carries with another talented back in Deshaun Fenwick in both seasons.

His addition only bolsters a talented Miami offense that brought in quarterback Cam Ward from Washington State and features two playmaking wide receivers in Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George.

The former All-Pac-12 back should also fill a hole in the backfield that was created when Henry Parrish Jr. decided to transfer to Ole Miss.

On the other side, Martinez's departure means Oregon State will be without its top five leading rushers next season, as Fenwick has exhausted his eligibility and wide receiver Silas Bolden has transferred, along with quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles.


Friday, April 26

South Alabama LB Khalil Jacobs

South Alabama linebacker Khalil Jacobs has entered the transfer portal.

Jacobs proved to be a versatile linebacker last season, racking up 56 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

As a freshman in 2022, Jacobs played mostly on special teams and recorded four tackles.

With former South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack leaving to become the defensive coordinator at Alabama, keep an eye on the Crimson Tide as a potential landing spot for Jacobs.


Thursday, April 25

Arizona State QB Jaden Rashada to Georgia

Former Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada has committed to Georgia after entering the transfer portal following one season in Tempe.

Rashada earned the starting quarterback spot at ASU to begin the season last year but suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss nine games. The Sun Devils' quarterback situation ultimately became a mess with four players throwing at least 35 passes.

Rashada completed 53.7% of his passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on the season.

A former Florida commit, Rashada will seemingly back up Bulldogs starter Carson Beck.

Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert Smith to Auburn

Penn State's leading receiver in terms of receptions and yards has found a new home. After being one of the first players to enter the transfer portal after spring ball, KeAndre Lambert-Smith is heading to Auburn.

Lambert-Smith led the Nittany Lions with 53 receptions for 673 yards and added four touchdowns to the ledger.

However, Penn State's passing offense took a step back to 79th nationally after ranking 46th in 2022. Quarterback Drew Allar and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich drew some criticism over the course of the year for rarely pushing the ball downfield.

Despite Yurcich's firing and the addition of new OC Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas, Lambert-Smith decided to take his talents to the SEC.

He'll join an offense that returns its leading receiver in tight end Rivaldo Fairweather and added five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis.


Wednesday, April 24

Mississippi State QB Mike Wright

Former Vanderbilt and Mississippi State quarterback Mike Wright is on the move again.

Wright started three games for the Bulldogs in 2023, throwing for 453 yards on 56.5% passing to go along with three touchdowns and three interceptions. However, Wright did most of his damage on the ground, running for 324 yards and another three scores.

Wright has started 14 games in his career, making him one of the most experienced quarterbacks to enter the portal this spring.

With Wright's departure, Mississippi State will be without its top two quarterbacks from last season, as starter Will Rogers transferred to Washington. The cupboard isn't completely bare, though, as new head coach Jeff Lebby brought in Blake Shapen from Baylor.

Colorado State WR Justus Ross-Simmons to Syracuse

A key piece of Colorado State's Air Raid offense is heading to New York.

Justus Ross-Simmons, who ranked third on the Rams in receiving last season, has announced his intentions to transfer to Syracuse.

The addition of Ross-Simmons is a big pull for first-year Syracuse head coach Fran Brown.

Ross-Simmons finished the season with 724 yards and three touchdowns on 45 catches and was expected to be a key cog in a passing game that's also losing tight end Dallin Holker — who ranked second on the team in receiving — to the NFL Draft.

Despite the departures of Ross-Simmons and Holker, the Rams' passing attack should still have some flash with stud wide receiver Tory Horton leading the way alongside emerging sophomore quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolisi.

Texas A&M OL Bryce Foster

Starting Texas A&M center Bryce Foster has entered the transfer portal after not being listed on the Aggies' roster following spring camp.

Foster was a three-year starter for the Aggies. After playing only four games in 2022 due to injury, he got healthy and started 12 contests. Now, his tenure in College Station ends as the Mike Elko era begins.

Foster was rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports coming out of high school and should draw plenty of interest given his experience.

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Tuesday, April 23

Texas CB Terrance Brooks

In a shocking move, Texas cornerback Terrance Brooks has entered the transfer portal.

Brooks started 13 games for the Longhorns last season, intercepting three passes and breaking up six.

Brooks was slated to start once again this season opposite Malik Muhammad in what was expected to be a solid secondary. Now, he'll be a highly-coveted prospect in the portal.

Iowa QB Deacon Hill

After one season at Wisconsin and one at Iowa, quarterback Deacon Hill is entering the transfer portal once again.

Hill started nine games for the Hawkeyes in 2023 after starting quarterback Cade McNamara went down with a torn ACL against Michigan State on Sept. 30.

A Santa Barbara, Calif., native, Hill threw for 1,152 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions on 48.6% passing last year.


Monday, April 22

Miami RB Henry Parrish Jr. to Ole Miss

Miami's leading running back is heading home.

After leaving Ole Miss for The U after two seasons, Henry Parrish Jr. is returning to the Grove to play for head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels.

Parrish has rushed for at least 500 yards in three straight seasons and is coming off his best statistical season in which he ran for 625 yards and six touchdowns on 6.3 yards per carry.

Parrish will join Ulysses Bentley IV and Logan Diggs at Ole Miss, giving the Rebels a loaded backfield after losing star back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State.

Ohio State RB Dallan Hayden to Colorado

After two seasons with Ohio State, Dallan Hayden has committed to Colorado.

Hayden posted 553 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman in 2022, including leading the team in rushing in a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Georgia. Then, he recorded just 110 yards and a score in three games in 2023.

Despite Hayden's impressive 2022 season, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said his plan was to redshirt Hayden with TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum all available in the backfield, according to On3.

But with Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins joining the mix in Columbus, Hayden has decided to make the move.

Hayden will have the opportunity to make an instant impact with the departures of Colorado running backs Dylan Edwards and Alton McCaskill IV.

DL Jermayne Lole & OL Branson Hickman to Oklahoma

Brent Venables is beefing up the trenches in Norman, as Oklahoma received commitments from former Louisville defensive lineman Jermayne Lole and former SMU center Branson Hickman.

Lole had a breakout season with Arizona State in 2019, recording 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups and 71 tackles, including 10 for a loss. After not playing in 2021 and playing only two games in 2022, Lole racked up 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in his lone season with the Cardinals in 2023.

Hickman, meanwhile, has been a mainstay on SMU's offensive line.

According to PFF, the former Mustang has played 1,079 snaps since 2022 and allowed only one sack and two quarterback hits. He also recorded a PFF run-blocking grade of 81.7.

New Oklahoma Center Branson Hickman Since 2022:

🔴 1,079 Pass Block Snaps
🔴 1 Sack Allowed
🔴 2 QB Hits Allowed
🔴 81.7 Run Block Grade pic.twitter.com/dAP9SZz5oY

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 22, 2024


Sunday, April 21

Pitt DL Dayon Hayes to Colorado

Former Pitt defensive lineman Dayon Hayes has committed to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.

Hayes led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss while also racking up four sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble for Pat Narduzzi's squad last season.

Despite being one of Pitt's highest-paid players from an NIL perspective, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Hayes is entering the portal because he doesn't think the Panthers can compete this season.

Miami (OH) PK Graham Nicholson to Alabama

Alabama is getting another stellar kicker.

After winning the Groza Award as college football's top kicker, former Miami (OH) kicker Graham Nicholson is heading to Alabama.

Nicholson made 27 of his 28 (96.4%) field goals last season to go along with 35 extra points as the RedHawks took home the MAC title. The Cincinnati native didn't miss a field foal in the regular season, going a perfect 10-of-10 from 40 yards and longer.

Nicholson will replace the NCAA's all-time leading scorer in Will Reichard.

Indiana DL Philip Blidi to Auburn

Former Indiana defensive lineman Philip Blidi is taking his talents to Auburn.

Blidi posted 30 tackles, with four going for a loss, to go along with a pass breakup in 11 starts last season. Before heading to Indiana, Blidi spent three seasons at Texas Tech, where he recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Blidi marks the 10th transfer head coach Hugh Freeze has added heading into 2024.


Friday, April 19

Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger

Rashada and Company's top target last season, Elijhah Badger, has entered the transfer portal as well.

Badger led Arizona State's receiving corps by a significant margin, hauling in 65 passes for 713 yards and three touchdowns.

It's worth noting that Badger put up those numbers with four different quarterbacks throwing him the ball. When Emory Jones and Trenton Bourguet were the main signal-callers in 2022, Badger racked up 866 receiving yards and seven scores to rank ninth and sixth in the Pac-12, respectively.

Badger's entrance into the portal makes him one of the top playmakers available.


Thursday, April 18

Michigan State DT Simeon Barrow Jr.

Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. jumped into the portal on Thursday, expanding the Big Ten's list of players looking for a new school.

In three seasons with the Spartans, Barrow recorded 110 total tackles with 18.5 going for a loss, 10.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pound interior will enter the portal as a grad transfer.


Wednesday, April 17

Utah State QBs Cooper Legas & McCae Hillstead

Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas became the latest Aggies quarterback to enter the transfer portal, joining fellow signal-caller McCae Hillstead on Wednesday.

Legas and Hillstead were Utah State's two main starters last year, combining to throw for 2,877 yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Their departures seem like a big loss on paper, but the Aggies also brought in two experienced starters from power conference teams in Utah's Bryson Barnes and Iowa's Spencer Petras.

TCU DT Damonic Williams

TCU starting defensive tackle Damonic Williams plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a report by 247Sports.

A two-year starter for the Horned Frogs, Williams accumulated 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in his career in Fort Worth.

With his experience and size at 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, Williams should draw plenty of interest in the portal.

Colorado RB Alton McCaskill IV

Colorado running back Alton McCaskill IV became the latest Buffaloes player to enter the portal on Wednesday.

McCaskill ran for for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns with Houston in 2021. After an ACL tear kept him out in 2022, McCaskill became one of the most valuable players in the portal last year and landed in Boulder.

However, he played in only four games and ran for 59 yards.

Now fully healthy with two seasons of eligibility remaining, he'll be another coveted portal player.


Tuesday, April 16

Colorado CB Cormani McClain

Another Colorado player has entered the portal. This time, it's Cormani McClain, a former five-star recruit who was considered the crown jewel of head coach Deion Sanders' first recruiting class.

Despite the hype that came with his signing, McClain didn't have much of an impact on a defense that struggled mightily in 2023.

The Lakeland, Fla., native played in six games — all losses — and recorded two pass breakups to go along with 13 total tackles.

Iowa OT Kadyn Proctor to Alabama

Kadyn Proctor is heading back to Alabama after producing one of the wildest sagas of the college football offseason.

Proctor initially committed to Iowa while attending Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, just outside of Des Moines. However, he flipped to Alabama just before National Signing Day, and despite struggling early in the season, earned All-SEC freshman honors.

Following the retirement of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, he entered the portal and quickly committed to Iowa, seemingly putting the finishing touches on what appeared to be a "Prodigal Son" type of story.

Less than two months into his stint in Iowa City, though, Proctor entered the portal once again. Now, he's back in Tuscaloosa and ready to contribute to Kalen DeBoer's new team.

Texas A&M S Jacoby Mathews

The transfer portal hits keep coming for Texas A&M. Aggies defensive back Jacoby Mathews became the 19th player on scholarship from A&M to enter the transfer portal.

Mathews played in 11 games last season, posting one interception, four passes defensed and 42 total tackles.

A former four-star prospect, Mathews joins two five-star defensive linemen in leaving, as Walter Nolen — the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022 — left for Ole Miss and LT Overton departed for Alabama.

Colorado OT Savion Washington

Colorado offensive tackle Savion Washington has entered the portal after starting nine games last season. Washington played 660 snaps at right tackle and recorded a PFF pass blocking grade of 69.4.

The Akron, Ohio, native arrived at Colorado following three years at Kent State, whose head coach, Sean Lewis, also left the Golden Flashes to become the offensive coordinator under Deion Sanders.

Lewis, who had play-calling duties stripped from him for the final four games of the season, departed Colorado to become the head coach at San Diego State.

Whether Washington will follow his coach again remains to be seen, but at 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, a program is bound to take a look.

Ball State QB Kiael Kelly

Ball State quarterback Kiael Kelly will get the ball rolling for signal-callers entering the portal.

Kelly started the latter portion of the Cardinals' schedule, throwing for a total of 557 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions with a 53% completion percentage.

However, Kelly did most of his damage on the ground, where he ran for 724 yards and seven scores. He finished the season with the team lead in rushing touchdowns and ranked second in rushing yards behind star Kent State transfer Marquez Cooper.

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