Significant anniversaries can occasionally slip by without much notice. Two words, transfer portal, turned the idea of roster building in college football on its head five years ago. Later rule changes (such as the removal of the one-year waiting period for first-time transfers) made transfers even more player-friendly, and college football underwent permanent transformation.
As the portal officially didn’t exist until October of the 2018 season, we’ll loosely define the top 50 transfers of the portal era as anyone who transferred between 2018 and 2023.) Some trends have emerged: in 2021, we witnessed an incredible run of skill corps talent, the Kenneth Walkers, Jameson Williamses, and Zach Charbonnets of the world (plus the whole Houston Christian transplant experience) — making massive differences for their new schools; in 2022, a class of transfer quarterbacks arrived that produced a shift in the overall balance of power in the sport and sparked a Pac-12 resurgence.
We haven’t noticed much of an impact as of 2023. Just three transfers—two from Deion Sanders’ Colorado makeover—made the list thus far; perhaps more 2023 transfers would appear after extended chances to have an influence. However, if I were to redo this list in a year. Was that a one-year anomaly? A hint of more dilution to come? We’ll investigate. However, the influence the portal had during its first five years of operation cannot be questioned.
Important data: 44.1 net average over two years, 48.4 yard punting average over two years
We begin with a few unique teams that we adore. “NFL special teams lineage and a 48-yard average” is pretty much exactly what you’re looking for when you browse the portal for a punter.
Important statistics: in 24 games, 137 receptions, 2,150 yards, and 12 touchdowns (and in his last seven games, 53, 989, and seven, respectively)
Barry Odom and offensive coordinator Brennan Marion found White to be an incredible gift after he was brought to Vegas by former head coach Marcus Arroyo. He has been the country’s top receiver since October 1st, and UNLV is competing in its first MWC Championship.
Relevant statistics: in 21 games, 68 tackles, 9 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and 4 breakups
Wingo headed south and immediately put together a third-team All-American campaign in Baton Rouge following an impressive true freshman season at Mizzou. Up until his injury in October, he was the mainstay of the LSU line this season as well.
Relevant statistics: 27 touchdowns in 22 games and 3,014 scrimmage yards
Programme changer: Chip Kelly’s Bruins had a combined record of 10-21 in the three years before Charbonnet moved out west. With Charbonnet and Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the backfield for two years, they had a 17-8 record.
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