While most of the top FCS players have already found new homes in the transfer portal, there’s still plenty of talent waiting for the right fit. Here are the top remaining FCS players in the 2023 transfer portal.
Top 2023 Transfer Portal FCS Players
The rankings below highlight the top available FCS players at the time of publish. Athletes will be removed once they commit to a new school here and on our 2023 transfer portal tracker. Their eligibility listed below is their projected class for the upcoming season.
1) Jesus Gibbs, DL
- Previous School
Towson - Year
Redshirt senior - Eligibility
Two years
Jesus Gibbs showed flashes from 2019-2021, but it wasn’t until 2022 that he was able to unleash his potential off the edge. A Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” member, Gibbs checks at 6’4″, 260+ pounds, and recorded a 37″ vertical, 10′ broad, and a 1.58-second 10-yard split last summer. But he isn’t just an athletic marvel — Gibbs led Towson in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (8), earning second-team All-Conference honors.
2) Shane Hooks, WR
- Previous School
Jackson State - Year
Redshirt senior - Eligibility
Two years
Shane Hooks was Jackson State’s primary red-zone weapon with a 6’4″, Gumby-like frame. His basketball background is plain to see on film, as he does a good job boxing defenders out and high-pointing the football. Yet, Hooks is no slouch as a route runner and owns sure hands, coming down with multiple spectacular catches for both Ohio and JSU.
3) Fred Davis Jr., RB
- Previous School
Mercer - Year
Redshirt junior - Eligibility
Three years
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
The college football world was robbed of watching Fred Davis Jr. last season, as he opted out for personal reasons. Hopefully, he’s healthy, and life off the field is positive. If that’s the case, Davis should return to form in 2023, making life miserable for opposing teams. In 2021, Davis racked up 847 yards and 14 scores on the ground, including a massive 28-carry, 276-yard, five-TD game vs. Samford.
4) Matthew Ballentine, CB
- Previous School
Eastern Kentucky - Year
Senior - Eligibility
One year
Matthew Ballentine only started seven games last year, but turn on the tape, and you’ll see a future CB1. At a listed 6’3″ and 205 pounds, the EKU corner knows how to use his length, jamming receivers at the line and smothering them downfield. He’s patient and fluid in coverage, with the closing speed to collapse throwing windows. The fact Ballentine isn’t afraid to lower a shoulder in run defense is just a bonus.
5) Fred Norman Jr., OL
- Previous School
East Tennessee State - Year
Redshirt junior - Eligibility
Two years
It’s not often a 6’7″, 350-pound offensive lineman reaches the transfer portal, especially a three-year starter such as Fred Norman. The former high school basketball star is light on his feet for a big man, with his best play coming at right tackle. His long arms and powerful punch stonewall pass rushers, and he’s just as adept at bringing the fight to them in the ground game. With experience at guard last season, Norman should be a hot commodity.
6) Terray Jones, DT
- Previous School
Tennessee State - Year
Senior - Eligibility
One year
Standing 6’1″ and 310 pounds, Terray Jones wins with leverage and power on the interior. He can bull rush with the best of them and has the production (seven sacks and 11 TFLs) and accolades (three-time All-Conference honoree) to garner significant attention. With a relentless motor and above-average athleticism, Jones can be an instant impact-maker.
7) Michael Jarmolowich, S
- Previous School
Colgate - Year
Senior - Eligibility
One year
There isn’t much not to like about Michael Jarmolowich’s game. Special-teams contributor? Check. Deep safety, box, and slot versatility? Check. The Colgate DB has solid range in the back end, and when paired with his quick reactiveness and noticeable instincts, he can provide a new program with a natural deterrent in the secondary.
8) Quinton Lane, WR
- Previous School
Stetson - Year
Redshirt senior - Eligibility
One year
MORE: Top 10 Wide Receiver Transfers 2023
A 6’3″ and 215-pound WR with long speed and YAC ability? Sign me up. Quinton Lane was in a lane of his own at Stetson, earning first-team All-Pioneer recognition last season after racking up 720 yards and eight TDs on 46 receptions. He understands how to sell routes with his pad level and stride length and should only improve with a superior program’s resources.
9) Courtney Eubanks and Dom Jones, DBs
- Previous School
North Dakota State - Year
Senior - Eligibility
Two years
Both Courtney Eubanks and Dom Jones have played over 1,000 snaps in the last three years for North Dakota State. Jones (6’3″, 200) began as a deep safety before primarily manning the slot for the Bison last year. Meanwhile, Eubanks (5’10”, 190) has almost exclusively lined up at outside corner. Each carries immense experience on an FCS powerhouse and the reliability you’d expect from such a background.
10) Xavier Shepherd, QB
- Previous School
Kennesaw State - Year
Senior - Eligibility
Two years
A season removed from being an All-American and receiving Big South Offensive Player of the Year, Xavier Shepherd leaves Kennesaw State with 2,471 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 1,456 rushing yards, and 34 rushing TDs in his last two campaigns. He struggled in 2022, throwing the same amount of scores and interceptions (7). But Shepherd is a legitimate dual threat that can line up under center in multiple schemes.
Honorable Mention 2023 Transfer Portal FCS Players
- Demetries Ford, CB, Austin Peay
- Kobe Johnson, RB, North Dakota State
- Hayes Sutton, WR, Brown
- Tanner Pollock, LB, Drake
- Brandon Spencer, CB, Fordham
- Aubrey Grace, P, Alabama State
- Antoine Williams, LB, Austin Peay
- Ethan Howard, TE, Southern
- John Graves III, DT, Southeastern Louisiana
- Marques White, EDGE, Dartmouth
