The college football transfer portal has revolutionized the sport, allowing teams to rebuild or retool rosters at the most critical positions. Ahead of spring practices, we take a look at some of the top defensive linemen transfers that could make an instant impact on their new teams in the 2023 season.
Defensive Linemen Transfers To Have the Most Impact in 2023
Eyabi Okie, Charlotte
The road taken by Eyabi Okie to Charlotte has been well documented. His journey has had more bumps than the most turbulent of flights. The former five-star outside linebacker’s dismissal from Alabama and Houston frequently clouds his excellent performances for UT-Martin and Michigan. Yet, Okie is undoubtedly one of the top defensive linemen transfers ahead of the season.
There are two reasons for this. Okie reunites with mentor Biff Poggi at Charlotte, a relationship that has always got the best out of the mercurial talent. Furthermore, his skill set — Okie is an explosive pass rusher with power and ludicrous athleticism — should allow him to wreak havoc during the 49ers’ first season in the American Athletic Conference. A career year awaits the former Michigan man.
Trace Ford, Oklahoma
When you’ve been a consistent producer on one of college football‘s traditional excellent defenses, you’re going to garner a reputation as one of the top defensive linemen transfers once you enter your name into the portal instead of the NFL draft. When you transfer across the battle lines of one of CFB’s craziest rivalries, that reputation turns to attention and expectation.
While he’s battled injury during his time in Stillwater, former Oklahoma State defensive end Trace Ford has been a major force on the Cowboys’ defense, even beyond his statistical production. The 6’4″, 240-pound senior is an elite pass rusher who can thrive as an experienced force on Oklahoma’s front. Matching his career production (8.5 sacks, 11.5 TFL) in one year is not unrealistic.
Jordan Burch, Oregon
When a former five-star recruit enters the transfer portal and teams up with a defensively-minded head coach like Dan Lanning — the architect of the 2021 Georgia defense considered by many to be one of the best of all time — there is reason to be excited. Former South Carolina star Jordan Burch has the talent and opportunity to be one of the top defensive linemen transfers this fall with Oregon.
MORE: Oregon Dominates on Day 1 of National Signing Day
At 6’6″ and 275 pounds, Burch boasts a somewhat unique frame that will allow him to be used creatively in Oregon’s defense. For his size, Burch is a fluid athlete with excellent flexibility around the edge. Meanwhile, he’s flashed powerful hands that can do damage as an interior rusher. Coming off the most productive year of his career, Burch can build into a dominant disruptor for the Ducks in 2023.
Daniel Grzesiak, Cincinnati
One year after landing at Utah State from Nevada via the transfer portal, Daniel Grzesiak arrives on the Power Five stage with Cincinnati as one of the top defensive linemen transfers this offseason. A former tight end, the new Bearcats addition has steadily built himself up to being an extremely productive presence off the edge, taking 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in 2022.
At 6’1″, 245 pounds, Grzesiak might be considered a little undersized off the edge. However, you don’t need to overpower offensive linemen if you can simply explode past them, speed past them, or dip under them — all of which Grzesiak is capable of doing. During his one season with the Aggies, he flashed impressive moments of high-level hand usage.
John Morgan III, Arkansas
Playing on a defensive front that routinely produces NFL talent like the University of Pittsburgh does, it’s easy to get lost or overlooked. After an eye-catching performance in Week 1 against West Virginia, John Morgan III never really captured the same attention down the rest of the season and ultimately entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of his redshirt-senior campaign.
However, Morgan has the ability to assert himself as one of the top defensive linemen transfers after swapping the ACC for the SEC with Arkansas. The 6’2″, 265-pound edge presence plays with a red hot motor, has the explosion and speed to trouble the backfield, while having an arsenal of pass-rush moves including a devastating long arm.
Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Michigan has become an elite producer of defensive front talent and, subsequently, a desirable landing spot for the top defensive linemen transfers from the CFB portal. While the Wolverines lost a couple of players this fall, they landed one of the best out there in the highly productive Josaiah Stewart from Coastal Carolina. Stewart has logged 26 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in just two years.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
The former three-star recruit out of Everett High School in Massachusetts has aligned all over the Coastal front but is at his best when using his flexibility, length, burst, and speed, as a terror off the edge. Stewart also possesses surprising power for a player listed at 6’2″. Don’t rule out another double-digit tackle-for-loss season and further national accolades in his first year in Ann Arbor.
Jake Heimlicher, UCLA
While several of the top defensive linemen transfers are switching between FBS programs, there are multiple players who could make an immediate impact from beyond the Power Five and Group of Five levels. One of those is former Ivy League standout Jake Heimlicher, who arrives in the Pac-12 from Penn with a dangerous résumé and exciting potential.
Heimlicher earned first-team All-Ivy League honors last fall after racking up 13 TFLs and nine sacks. The 6’4″, 245-pound Penn product is an accomplished pass rusher who wins with strength and a relentless motor. Despite the presence of Laiatu Latu, plus Grayson and Gabriel Murphy, Heimlicher should have an opportunity to make his presence felt for the Bruins.
Jack Sullivan, USC
After a dismal defensive season that required Caleb Williams to turn in Heisman Trophy-winning performances almost every week, USC turned to the transfer portal to bolster their defensive front. With Tuli Tuipulotu and Nick Figueroa on their way out, a good chunk of last season’s production also has to be replaced.
Following the most productive season of his career, Jack Sullivan has the potential to emerge as one of the top defensive linemen transfers. The 6’5″, 275-pound DE is a powerful presence off the edge, but he also has the burst to trouble offensive linemen off the snap.
Taylor Upshaw, Colorado
Colorado had the worst run defense in all of college football last fall, giving up 245.08 yards per game while allowing 39 rushing touchdowns. While Deion Sanders’ arrival in Bolder has seen an influx of transfer portal stars and highly ranked recruits, don’t sleep on former Michigan defensive linemen Taylor Upshaw on providing immediate value and upside for the Buffaloes.
MORE: Top 10 Wide Receiver Transfers 2023
The former Michigan man brings an exciting level of versatility to Colorado’s defense. He can rush the passer, with at least one sack in the last three seasons despite a rotational role.
At 6’4″ and 262 pounds, Upshaw can attack off the edge but also see usage on the interior. His athletic profile ensures that he can drop back into coverage. Amongst the flashy five-stars, a reliable do-it-all player might hold the key to shoring up the Colorado defense.
Iman Oates, Oklahoma State
In an addition to losing Ford from their defensive front, Oklahoma State also sees Brock Martin and Tyler Lacy to the NFL. That’s two of their most productive playmakers from the 2022 campaign. Help is on the way in the form of JUCO defensive tackle Iman Oates, who is a low-key contender to emerge as one of the top defensive linemen transfers this offseason.
Oates has been a tackling machine for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, earning all-conference honors after logging 15 tackles for loss and six sacks as a sophomore. At 6’3″ and 300 pounds, he brings a stout presence to the interior of the Cowboys’ defensive front. Oates boasts good footwork and handwork, which he’s used to dominate at the JUCO level.
