Three of the top 100 transfers in 2024 are still on the market.
Brad Crawford
Elite-level pickings are slim in the transfer portal approaching the start of summer ahead of the 2024 college football season. Only three of the nation's top 100 playersare uncommitted at this time. With Penn State safety King Mack coming off the board to Alabama, that leaves three other plug-and-play defenders still deciding on where they play. With the spring window now closed,programs looking forimpact guys are out of time and the talenthas dwindled.
Florida made a recent splash with the addition of offensive lineman Jason Zandamela, the top-rated player available coming out of spring. Coupled with Oregon landing Michigan State pass rusher Derrick Harmon, the amount of quality playerson the market at the line of scrimmage isbarren.
LSU's Brian Kelly made headlines after saying his program is refusing to "buy" players in the new era after a recent visit from a defensive lineman. Some players, he says, are going to the highest bidder rather than taking other factors into account like development and program prestige.
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Here arethe best available players in the college football transfer portalapproaching the start of summer:
1. Cormani McClain, CB, Colorado
Transfer grade: 94
Transferranking:No. 21 overall
Cormani McClain, the best-available player in the portal, was in Gainesville last week and the Gators hope to get a second visit soon. Aspot starter for the Buffaloes and a former five-star signee, McClain battled through tumultuous first season at Colorado. He is one of the latestBuffaloes players to enter, which brings the total to double digits. McClain was the No. 14 player overall in 2023, but wasn't the immediate star most assumed he would be at the Power Five level.
2. Jacoby Mathews, S, Texas A&M
Transfer grade:92
Transferranking:No. 65 overall
Mathews appeared in 21 games with 12 startsover two years in College Station while recording a combined 67 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception and eight passes defended. He took over in the thirdgame of the 2023 season forJardin Gilbertwho underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Overall, Mathews tallied 42 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception and five passes defended. Pro Football Focus graded him at 80.8 in coverage.
3. Tyler Baron, Edge, Louisville
Transfer grade:92
Transferranking:No.72 overall
Tyler Baron played at Tennessee last season before transferring to Louisville in the winter and re-entering the portal recently. This is new-age college football recruiting in a nutshell when it comes to the portal. Miami is a leader, here. Baron played 1,565 defensive snaps over the last four seasons. In 2023, Baron had his most productive season at the college level, generating 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Pro Football Focus credited Baron with 41 quarterback pressures.
4. Elijhah Badger, WR, Arizona State
Transfer grade: 90
Transferranking:No.186 overall
Elijhah Badger is a two-time All-Pac-12 honorable mention who racked up 135 receptions and 1,579 receiving yards across his last two seasons with the Sun Devils. A back injured limited Badger throughout spring ball but heramped up activity in recent weeks. Alabama and Texas A&M are reportedly among the initial teams to show interest in landing the play-making option on the outside.
5. Ceyair Wright, CB, USC
Transfer grade: 90
Transfer ranking: No. 191 overall
Ceyair Wright began the 2023 season as a starter but was not part of the team during the final stretch of the season. USC coach Lincoln Riley recently declined to give specifics other than that Wright was away from the program for a personal matter. Riley was asked twice about Wright's status this offseason but declined to offer anything more than Wright was still away from the team. The Los Angeles native did not participate in spring camp and was not on the roster.
6. Johnny Bowens III, DL, Oregon
Transfer grade: 89
Transferranking:No. 306 overall
During the 2023 season, Johnny Bowens saw limited time, playing only 11 total snaps over three games, finishing with two tackles. Bowens saw time against Portland State, Hawaii, and California. Per Jared Mack,Bowens'role was likely to increase heading into the 2024 season, as the Ducks lost four of their top five interior defensive line options from a season ago. Bowens played more defensive end than nose tackle and was seemingly a backup option for Jordan Burch at the position.
7. Raymond Cottrell Jr., WR, Kentucky
Transfer grade:88
Transferranking:No.475 overall
After transferring from Texas A&M for the spring, Raymond Cottrell Jr. is back in the portal.Cottrell committed to Kentucky beforeLiam Coenopted to leave to take the offensive coordinator job with theTampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving Stoops to hireBush Hamdanas his replacement. He was getting second-team and third-team receiver reps during spring practice.
8. Bryce Foster, OL, Texas A&M
Transfer grade: 88
Transferranking:No. 481 overall
Per GigEm247, in three seasons at A&M (2021-23), the 6-foot-5, 330-pound Foster started at center in all 28 games that he played. He also played for the Aggie track and field team, throwing the shot put. He was with the track and field team this spring and missed all 15 football practices. A&M seemed ready to replace Foster, landing a verbal commitment fromUtahcenter transferKolinu'u Faaiurecently. Redshirt sophom*oreMark Nabou Jr.also made a push for the starting job this spring.
