The five most impressive 2023 transfer portal classes you don't know about
The 2023 spring transfer portal window closed a little more than a month ago, but with UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin coming off the board last week after committing to Ole Miss, the portal no longer has a single uncommitted 4-star prospect.
So, barring some unforeseen graduate transfer moves, the transfer portal classes for the fall are set.
Plenty has been written about what’s happened at USC, Colorado, Florida State and Alabama. I’ve highlighted how I like what LSU, Auburn and Michigan have done in the portal, too.
On3 has the latest 2023 Team Transfer Portal Rankings, with Louisville perhaps a surprising No. 1 overall with an Index Score of 73. I love how Jeff Brohm has utilized the portal to boost the Cardinals’ chances this fall.
But what about what’s happening elsewhere? Which other schools quietly cleaned up this offseason?
Here are the five most impressive transfer portal classes ranked in the Top 25 you don’t know about:
UCLA
Did you know that Chip Kelly and the Bruins added as many 4-star transfers, five per the On3 rankings, as Colorado this cycle?
That’s two more than Oregon, too.
After flipping 5-star freshman quarterback Dante Moore in January, UCLA got aggressive rebuilding the rest of its offense through the portal, adding Pac-12 receivers Kyle Ford from USC and J. Michael Sturdivant from Cal and Oregon tight end Maliki Matavao. They also grabbed a pair of likely starters for the OL and landed Ball State tailback Carson Steele, who had 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and is set to replace Zach Charbonnet.
If Moore doesn’t win the job in training camp, former Kent State starter Collin Schlee is also in Westwood now after transferring during the initial window.
Bowling Green safety Jordan Anderson (four interceptions) was a big pickup for a secondary that needs a lot of improvement in 2023.
Arkansas
The Razorbacks have been extremely active in the portal under Sam Pittman, and that continued this offseason. While 29 players left the program — many who remain uncommitted in the portal — Arkansas added 18 new faces to the roster.
The Hogs raided the G5 and FCS ranks for all-conference standouts like North Texas tight end Var’Keyes Gumms, a name to know this fall, and Texas A&M-Commerce Andrew Armstrong. They also added former North Carolina QB Jacolby Criswell, who gives them a nice backup option in 2023 and a potential starter in 2024.
But it’s on defense that Pittman & Co., really made their hay. On a unit that was desperate for talent and depth, Arkansas added as many as 10 starter or rotational pieces. Headliners include defensive lineman Tank Booker (Maryland), Trajan Jeffcoat (Missouri) and John Morgan (Pitt), linebackers LB Antonio Grier (USF) and Jaheim Thomas (Cincy) and defensive backs Lorando “Snax” Johnson (Baylor), Al Walcott and Jaheim Singlertary — a former 5-star recruit from Georgia.
Kentucky
If the Wildcats vault back up the SEC East standings this fall it likely be because of a strong crop of transfers in the 2023 cycle — 13 in total.
Two years ago, Devin Leary threw for 35 touchdowns and just five picks before suffering a torn pectoral last season, and he could be the best QB portal addition if he stays healthy this fall. Former Vandy tailback Ray Davis was 4th in the SEC in rushing last year.
Most importantly, Kentucky beefed up its OL, adding Ohio State guard Ben Christman, Alabama tackle Tanner Bowles, USC tackle Courtland Ford, West Virginia guard Dylan Ray and Northern Iowa tackle Marques Cox. At worst, that’s five depth pieces at a premium position, and at best, multiple starters in 2023.
The Wildcats also landed a trio of Top 300 defensive transfers in Cincy corner JQ Hardaway (No. 99 overall), North Carolina tackle Keeshawn Silver (No. 129 overall) and Ohio State safety Jantzen Dunn (No. 288 overall). But the most underrated addition is Livingstone College defensive back Kevin Larkins, who led all of D-II with eight picks.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes didn’t add the volume of transfers compared to these other programs, but Kirk Ferentz finally realized the portal is an avenue to immediately address major needs. And Iowa did just that, making moves at quarterback, offensive line, receiver and linebacker.
Of the eight additions in the 2023 cycle, seven project to start for the potential Big Ten West preseason favorites — with the lone outlier at backup quarterback.
Iowa had the Big Ten’s worst offense in 25 years last season, and that unit should take a significant step this fall with former Michigan QB Cade McNamara, who led the Wolverines to a conference title in 2021, Michigan tight end Erick All (Michigan), Ohio State wideout Kaleb Brown and CSU wideout Seth Anderson. Iowa flipped Daijon Parker from heading to Virginia, and the Division II Saginaw Valley State standout projects to start at right tackle for the Hawkeyes.
Nick Jackson was one of the best linebackers to enter the portal this offseason, and the former Virginia starter is expected to replace Jack Campbell in the middle of Iowa’s defense.
Cal
Traditionally, Cal is not a program that relies on a ton of transfers, but Justin Wilcox flipped the roster via the portal this offseason.
The Golden Bears added 16 transfers — third-most in the Pac-12 behind only Colorado and Arizona State.
TCU’s Sam Jackson and NC State’s Ben Finley will compete for the starting QB job in fall camp, while Isaiah Ifanse, who had over 3,700 career rushing yards at Montana State, could form a nice 1-2 punch at tailback with Cal Freshman All-American Jaydn Ott. Guard Matthew Wykoff was a 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team offensive lineman at Texas A&M, and former Washington wide receiver Taj Davis and Mississippi State wideout Marquez Dortch project as starters, too.
Cal also added multiple tight ends, filling a major need on the roster.
The Golden Bears’ secondary was lacking depth and talent, so they grabbed four potential two-deep pieces for the fall, headlined by Patrick McMorris, a two-time All-Mountain West safety at San Diego State.
Honorable Mention: SMU, Wisconsin, TCU