We’re seeing substantial changes in college football, from conference realignment to the transfer portal. The Big 12 is one conference seeing a ton of change in 2024, and there will be plenty of new faces and names to know.
Our Big 12 Transfer Portal Rankings look at the talent entering the new-look conference for the upcoming college campaign.
Big 12 Transfer Portal Rankings
16) Arizona Wildcats
Total Transfers: Four
Top Offensive Transfer: Alex Doost, IOL
Top Defensive Transfer: Jack Luttrell, S
This will be different from the rebuild that Brent Brennan inherited when he took over San Jose State, but some damage control still needs to be done. Arizona could still tap into the transfer portal, and hiring Dino Babers as offensive coordinator could help spark some interest. For now, the Wildcats landed just four players in their transfer portal class.
Alex Doost didn’t play a snap at Northwestern, but the Phoenix native brings good size at 6’7″ and 295 pounds to the Wildcats line. Arizona also added two players to their secondary, Jordan Shaw (Indiana) and Jack Luttrell (Tennessee), while reeling in Chubba Maae from UC Davis to bolster the defensive front.
Arizona’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Alex Doost, IOL, Northwestern
- Jordan Shaw, CB, Indiana
- Jack Luttrell, S, Tennessee
- Chubba Maae, DL, UC Davis
15) Iowa State Cyclones
Total Transfers: Three
Top Offensive Transfer: Isaiah Alston, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Kenard Snyder, EDGE
Matt Campbell’s team has high hopes heading into 2024, and they only needed to add a little via the transfer portal to help. Just three transfers come to Ames, but they should all have an impact on the Cyclones.
Isaiah Alston saw little action at Army in the triple option offense, but he could be an explosive threat for Iowa State. In his four years with the Black Knights he turned 49 passes into 1,031 yards, averaging a staggering 21.0 yards per catch.
Iowa State loses some talent on the offensive line, but Dylan Barrett could plug one of those holes. He played in 12 games with the Wisconsin Badgers, with most of that experience coming on special teams.
Kenard Snyder is on the rise, and his 24.5 tackles for loss with UL-Monroe show that. He’s an explosive player who should thrive in Iowa State’s defense, and it will just come down to how well he can adjust to life in the Big 12.
Iowa State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Isaiah Alston, WR, Army
- Dylan Barrett, IOL, Wisconsin
- Kenard Snyder, EDGE, UL-Monroe
14) Kansas State Wildcats
Total Transfers: Four
Top Offensive Transfer: Dante Cephas, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Travis Bates, EDGE
Certain schools won’t be big winners in the transfer portal, but that’s okay. Chris Kleiman’s squad figures to be a contender in the Big 12 once again, so they don’t need to hit the transfer portal hard.
The Wildcats took some big hits from the portal when they lost safety Kobe Savage, quarterback Will Howard, running back Treshaun Ward, and cornerback Will Lee, a factor in their position on our Big 12 transfer portal rankings.
However, Kansas State returns good depth at those positions, so there weren’t too many concerns with the departures.
Wide receiver Dante Cephas looks to resurrect his Kent State form after a disappointing year with Penn State. Defensive end Travis Bates (Austin Peay) has multiple years of his best ball ahead of him, and safety Jordan Riley (Ball State) figures to help ease the loss of Savage.
Kansas State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Dante Cephas, WR, Penn State
- Travis Bates, EDGE, Austin Peay
- Jordan Riley, S, Ball State
- Easton Kilty, OT, North Dakota
13) Oklahoma State Cowboys
Total Transfers: Five
Top Offensive Transfer: AJ Green, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Obi Ezeigbo, EDGE
Mike Gundy isn’t going anywhere, but at least he’s adapting to the new world of college football more than some. While his transfer portal class isn’t huge, it speaks to his faith in their recruiting process and prowess.
Still, adding a few pieces from the portal helps.
Tight end Tyler Foster (Ohio) brings some untapped potential to the Cowboys offense, which got a huge boost when Alan Bowman received another year of eligibility. While Ollie Gordon II will be the star at running back, the Cowboys added depth by getting AJ Green (Arkansas) to join the roster.
Defensively, Oklahoma State added another potential big-time threat on the edge in Obi Ezeigbo (Gannon) while adding to a talented secondary with safety Kobe Hylton (UTEP).
Oklahoma State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Tyler Foster, TE, Ohio
- AJ Green, RB, Arkansas
- Isaia Glass, OT, Arizona State
- Kobe Hylton, S, UTEP
- Obi Ezeigbo, EDGE, Gannon
12) West Virginia Mountaineers
Total Transfers: Seven
Top Offensive Transfer: Jaden Bray, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: T.J. Jackson, DT
Neal Brown started the 2023 season on the hot seat, but a 9-4 season cooled things off. There’s a belief that it could heat back up if this team struggles again, but there are many reasons to believe his program will be just fine. His work in the transfer portal wasn’t extensive, but it was effective.
With the success the Mountaineers have recently seen at the defensive tackle position, it was easy to see why someone like T.J. Jackson (Troy) would see West Virginia as an appealing destination. Jackson’s a tough player who can wreak havoc for his new team.
MORE: 2024 SEC Transfer Portal Rankings
On offense, Xavier Bausley joins an offensive line that loses quite a bit of talent, a huge win for the Mountaineers. Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Jaden Bray is a big body with good upside too, and he’ll help the Mountaineers passing attack.
West Virginia’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- T.J. Jackson, DT, Troy
- Xavier Bausley, OT, Jacksonville State
- Jaden Bray, WR, Oklahoma State
- Ty French EDGE, Gardner-Webb
- Ayden Garnes, CB, Duquesne
- TJ Crandall, CB, Colorado State
- Reid Carrico, LB, Ohio State
11) BYU Cougars
Total Transfers: Four
Top Offensive Transfer: Gerry Bohanon, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Jack Kelly, EDGE
With the quarterback situation up in the air, BYU brought in a couple of options to replace Kedon Slovis. Treyson Bourguet (Western Michigan) and Gerry Bohanon (USF) both had some success at their previous schools but hope a fresh start creates more consistency in their games.
Defensively, former Weber State head coach and current BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill utilized his previous connection to get two players to help the Cougars. Jack Kelly is expected to be a star for BYU, and Marque Collins figures to step into the rotation right away in the secondary.
BYU’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Treyson Bourguet, QB, Western Michigan
- Jack Kelly, EDGE, Weber State
- Marque Collins, CB, Weber State
- Gerry Bohanon, QB, USF
10) Kansas Jayhawks
Total Transfers: Six
Top Offensive Transfer: DeShawn Hanika, TE
Top Defensive Transfer: Devin Dye, S
Sometimes, limiting your transactions in the transfer portal is okay, which is exactly what Kansas did this year. It’s another sign of the times, as Lance Leipold has this program in a much better place than in years past.
The staff felt good about the depth chart on offense, though they added Shane Bumgardner (Tiffin) to help up front. They also added tight end DeShawn Hanika (Iowa State), who was set to have a big year before the Cyclones gambling scandal arose.
Kansas’ Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Javier Derritt, DT, NDSU
- Shane Bumgardner, IOL, Tiffin
- Devin Dye, S, Utah State
- Darrell Simmons, OG, Iowa State
- Dylan Wudke, EDGE, Youngstown State
- DeShawn Hanika, TE, Iowa State
9) Utah Utes
Total Transfers: Nine
Top Offensive Transfer: Dorian Singer, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: John Henry Daley, EDGE
Utah kept it simple as usual, though they did find some players in the transfer portal that upgraded their respective positions. Nate Johnson and Bryson Barnes departed via the portal, so quarterback remains a position of concern for the future.
One of the bigger surprises was Dorian Singer’s decision to join the Utes. Utah’s pass offense was nonexistent at times last year, though it helps that Cam Rising returns this season. Singer was a star with Arizona before disappearing with USC, so Utah’s hoping to bring out his 2022 form.
Kyle Whittingham’s staff was selective about who they brought in on defense, so the fanbase should be excited about talent like safety Alaka’i Gilman (Stanford) and cornerback Cameron Calhoun (Michigan). Edge John Henry Daley (BYU) should add depth to a normally dominant defensive line.
Utah’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Dorian Singer, WR, USC
- Alaka’i Gilman, S, Stanford
- Cameron Calhoun, CB, Michigan
- Taeshaun Lyons, WR, Washington
- Anthony Woods, RB, Idaho
- John Henry Daley, EDGE, BYU
- Carsen Ryan, TE, UCLA
- Kenan Johnson, CB, Georgia Tech
- Kanious Vaughn, EDGE, UTEP
8) Cincinnati Bearcats
Total Transfers: 16
Top Offensive Transfer: Evan Pryor, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Jared Bartlett, EDGE
We all knew that the Cincinnati Bearcats would need time to regroup after Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin, and a 3-9 season proved that. Scott Satterfield’s staff needed to retool the roster this offseason, and they started that process with 16 transfers.
They added experience on the defensive side of the ball with EDGE Jared Bartlett (West Virginia), safety Makhi Miller (New Mexico State), and defensive tackle Darian Varner (Wisconsin).
MORE: 2024 Pac-2 Transfer Portal Rankings
With Corey Kiner set to return in 2024, the Bearcats added running back depth by bringing in Chance Williams (Georgia) and Evan Pryor (Ohio State).
Miller will help fill the void left by Byron Threat and Deshawn Pace (who are both headed to UCF), and Cincinnati also added Logan Wilson (North Texas) and Kye Stoke (Ohio State). Cornerback Derrick Canteen (Virginia Tech) looks to regain his 2020 form after spending a year with Virginia Tech in 2023.
Cincinnati’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Jared Bartlett, EDGE, West Virginia
- Mehki Miller, S, New Mexico State
- Darian Varner, DT, Wisconsin
- Chance Williams, RB, Georgia
- Ormanie Arnold, CB, Idaho
- Joe Royer, TE, Ohio State
- Derrick Canteen, CB, Virginia Tech
- Jayden Perry, LS, Indiana State
- Kameron Wilson, LB, Louisville
- Mikah Coleman, DL, Eastern Michigan
- Tony Johnson, WR, FAU
- Evan Pryor, RB, Ohio State
- Kye Stokes, S, Ohio State
- Tyrin Smith, WR, UTEP
- Logan Wilson, S, North Texas
- Brendan Sorsby, QB, Indiana
7) UCF Knights
Total Transfers: 16
Top Offensive Transfer: KJ Jefferson, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Deshawn Pace, S
A tough start to the Big 12 era of UCF football gave Gus Malzahn an idea of how far his team needs to go, and he got right to work in the offseason. Their second year in the conference should be better, and the new influx of talent will help.
Malzahn had Timmy McClain already on the roster, but KJ Jefferson is an important get for the program. At 6’3″ and 245 pounds, the Arkansas transfer should be a great fit for the Knights’ running game. If he can rediscover his 2022 form as a passer, UCF is in business.
UCF also went within the conference to bolster its defense. Safety Bryon Threats and defensive back/linebacker Deshawn Pace join the Knights as two potential instant-impact players. They also landed former Bearcat running back Myles Montgomery.
UCF’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Ethan Barr, LB, Vanderbilt/Washington
- Ladarius Tennison, S, Ole Miss
- Goldie Lawrence, WR, Florida State
- Antione Jackson, CB, ECU
- Zavier Carter, LB, UNLV
- Jesaiah Pierre, Texas Tech
- Xe’ree Alexander, LB, Idaho
- KJ Jefferson, QB, Arkansas
- Evan Morris, TE, Michigan State
- Bryon Threats, S, Cincinnati
- Daylan Dotson, EDGE, UT-Martin
- Myles Montgomery, RB, Cincinnati
- Jabari Brooks, IOL, Samford
- Deshawn Pace, S, Cincinnati
- Wes Dorsey, OT, Western Kentucky
- Reece Adkins, TE, Eastern Kentucky
6) Houston Cougars
Total Transfers: 18
Top Offensive Transfer: Zeon Chriss, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Keith Cooper, DL
Willie Fritz knows the challenges of taking over a program needing a rebuild, and he hit the transfer portal hard to start that process. It will be a process that takes time, but the Cougars needed talent to get the rebuilding process started sooner rather than later.
Houston’s defense needed to be addressed, and over half of their transfers came on that side of the ball. Kieth Cooper, Corey Platt Jr., and Kentrell Webb follow Fritz from Tulane to Houston, and their experience should prove extremely valuable to this unit.
In addition to Webb, the staff brought Hershey Mclaurin (West Virginia), Kris Davis (Southern), Teagan Wilk (ECU), and Jeremiah Wilson (Syracuse) to bolster the secondary.
On offense, Zeon Chriss arrives from Louisiana after a solid year, and UCF encouraged backup wide receiver Mekhi Mews to come from Georgia. The tight end position has been hit or miss for the Cougars the last few years, but Maliq Carr (Michigan State) and Jayden York (Texas Tech) should help change that trend.
Houston’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Zeon Chriss, QB, Louisiana
- Mekhi Mews, WR, Georgia
- Michael Batton, LB, UL-Monroe
- Maliq Carr, TE, Michigan State
- Cedric Melton, OT, Ole Miss
- Corey Platt Jr., LB, Tulane
- Keith Cooper, DL, Tulane
- Kentrell Webb, S, Tulane
- Hershey Mclaurin, S, West Virginia
- Jayden York, TE, Texas Tech
- Quindario Lee, DL, Central Michigan
- Dakota White, IOL, Louisiana Tech
- Kris Davis, CB, Southern
- Jake Wiley, OG, UCLA
- Everitt Rogers, DT, Tulsa
- Teagan Wilk, S, ECU
- Jeremiah Wilson, CB, Syracuse
5) Baylor Bears
Total Transfers: Nine
Top Offensive Transfer: Dequan Finn, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Steve Linton, EDGE
Dave Aranda made changes this offseason, but he didn’t go overboard. His transfer portal class was small, but there were a few instant-impact players. With Jake Spavital running the offense now, the staff made sure that they added a few pieces that would thrive in his system.
Toledo transfer Dequan Finn has everyone intrigued. He started multiple years for the Rockets and had his best season last year. His development as a passer is ongoing, but he showed signs of progress last year. Spavital’s system should help him take another step with the talent surrounding him in Waco.
Texas State star wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins took a productive year and parlayed it into a Power Five opportunity. His speed should be fun to watch with the Bears, and the passing attack should take a step forward with him in the lineup. Ole Miss tight end transfer Michael Trigg brings good athleticism to the offense.
Aranda’s defense found some potential gems in the portal too. Steve Linton brings a good frame to the defensive line, something the Bears have utilized in recent years. Safeties Kendrick Simpkins (Western Kentucky) and Cameren Jenkins (UNLV) should push to work into the rotation in the secondary.
Baylor’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Steve Linton, EDGE, Texas Tech
- Jamaal Bell, WR, Nevada
- Michael Trigg, TE, Ole Miss
- Kurt Danneker, IOL, Ohio
- Kendrick Simpkins, S, Western Kentucky
- Ashtyn Hawkins, WR, Texas State
- Cameren Jenkins, S, UNLV
- Omar Aigbedion, IOL, Montana State
- Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo
4) Arizona State Sun Devils
Total Transfers: 22
Top Offensive Transfer: Raleek Brown, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Cole Martin, CB
Kenny Dillingham enters Year 2 with plenty of work remaining on his agenda. It was a year full of ups and downs for the Sun Devils, and their head coach got a glimpse of where they sit in his rebuild. He returned to the transfer portal to transform the roster and added some exciting pieces for the 2024 season.
The top transfers are relatively unproven but bring plenty of upside. Cornerback Cole Martin (Oregon), along with defensive linemen Jacob Kongaika (Arizona) and Jeffrey Clark (Louisville), saw limited action with their previous schools but did generate some excitement during that time.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
One of the more electric pieces to the transfer portal class was the addition of Raleek Brown. USC used him as both a running back and wide receiver but couldn’t find consistent ways to get him the ball. Brown and his speed should be a focal point in Dillingham’s offense.
Arizona State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Cole Martin, CB, Oregon
- Jacob Kongaika, DL, Arizona
- Jeffrey Clark, DL, Louisville
- Keyshaun Elliott, LB, New Mexico State
- Myles Rowser, S, New Mexico State
- Josh Atkins, OT, Hawaii
- Roman PItre, EDGE, Purdue
- Shancco Matautia, IOL, New Mexico
- Joey Su’a, IOL, Arkansas
- Zyrus Fiaseu, LB, San Diego State
- Markeston Douglas, TE, Florida State
- Laterrance Welch, CB, LSU
- Raleek Brown, RB, USC
- Jordan Crook, LB, Arkansas
- Javan Robinson, CB, Washington State
- Kamari Wilson, S, Florida
- J.P. Deeter, DL, Purdue
- Justin Wodtly, EDGE, Cincinnati
- Sam Leavitt, QB, Michigan State
- Parker Lewis, K, Ohio State
- Cmaeron Harpole, TE, San Diego State
- Tyler Wigglesworth, LS, Northern Arizona
3) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Total Transfers: 12
Top Offensive Transfer: Davion Carter, OG
Top Defensive Transfer: De’Braylon Carroll, DL
While they don’t have the biggest transfer class in the conference, Joey McGuire’s staff was efficient with their additions. They lost several talented pass catchers this offseason, but they hit the portal to add some quality replacements.
Caleb Douglas comes from Florida, and the 6’3″ and 200-pound receiver showed some flashes in the Gators’ offense that make him a potential nightmare. Josh Kelly comes to Lubbock from Washington State after a career season with the Cougars, and the Red Raiders also added tight ends Jalin Conyers (Arizona State) and Johncarlos Miller II (Elon).
Tech also addressed the trenches by adding a few quality players from the Group of Five. Landing Davion Carter (Memphis) was a huge win that boosted their place in the transfer portal rankings, while Toledo guard Vinny Sciury was an underrated addition. On defense, De’Braylon Carroll hopes to jump into the rotation right away on the line after a big season for Rice.
Texas Tech’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- De’Braylon Carroll, DL, Rice
- Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
- Vinny Sciury, IOL, Toledo
- Davion Carter, OG, Memphis
- Jack Burgess, P, Weber State
- James Hansen, DL, Nevada
- Johncarlos Miller II, TE, Elon
- Jalin Conyers, TE, Arizona State
- Josh Kelly, WR, Washington State
- Devynn Cromwell, S, University of Guelph
- Sterling Porcher, IOL, Middle Tennessee
- Javon Jackson, S, Fairmont State
2) Colorado Buffaloes
Total Transfers: 23
Top Offensive Transfer: Chamon Matayer, TE
Top Defensive Transfer: Chidozie Nwankwo, DT
Deion Sanders continues hammering the transfer portal, though to a lesser extent than last year. The roster overhaul started with the trenches, where the Buffs added nearly half of their transfer class.
Houston transfer Chidozie Nwankwo will be a name to know, as he’s a force on the inside when healthy. He might not have the prototypical size, but the power in his frame makes him a headache to move in the trenches.
Sanders and his staff added some intriguing talent at wide receiver, too. The biggest name was TCU transfer Cordale Russell, but look for LaJohntay Wester (FAU) and Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt) to have an immediate impact.
Tight end Chamon Matayer has tremendous upside thanks to his frame and athleticism, and he’ll continue working on learning the nuances of the position. Shedeur Sanders should feel much better about the situation up front but equally confident about his downfield options with this class.
Colorado’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Herman Smith, S, Idaho State
- Jaylen Wester, LB, FAU
- DJ McKinney, CB, Oklahoma State
- Nikhil Webb Walker, EDGE, New Mexico State
- Phillip Houston, OT, FIU
- LaJohntay Wester, WR, FAU
- Preston Hodge, S, Liberty
- Chidozie Nwankwo, DT, Houston
- Anquin Barnes, DL Alabama
- Quency Wiggins, DL LSU
- Tyler Johnson, OG, Houston
- Terrell Timmons Jr., WR, NC State
- Keaten Wade, EDGE, Kentucky
- Cordale Russell, WR, TCU
- Samuel Okunlola, DL, Pitt
- Destin Wade, QB, Kentucky
- Will Sheppard, WR, Vanderbilt
- Taurean Carter, DL, Arkansas
- Yakiri Walker, IOL, UConn
- Chamon Metayer, TE, Cincinnati
- Walter Taylor, QB, Vanderbilt
- Kahlil Benson, IOL, Indiana
- Justin Mayers, IOL, UTEP
1) TCU Horned Frogs
Total Transfers: 19
Top Offensive Transfer: Eric McAlister, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: LaMareon James, CB
Sonny Dykes looks to get the Horned Frogs back on track with another big transfer class, and he’s hoping that it revamps the roster enough in Year 3. His staff landed several defensive difference-makers and addressed the offensive line with multiple players.
Guard Carson Bruno from Louisiana Tech might be the most underrated addition to this conference out of Louisiana Tech. TCU also added Bless Harris (Florida State), Remington Strickland (Texas A&M), and Cade Bennett (San Diego State) on the line.
LaMareon James had a big year for Old Dominion in 2023, and now he’s looking to make an impact for a TCU secondary that lost some key pieces over the last two seasons. The Horned Frogs added six other defensive backs to their roster.
Dykes gave young quarterback Josh Hoover some new weapons in the passing game with wide receivers Braylon James (Notre Dame) and Eric McAlister (Boise State). He also snatched tight end Drake Dabney (Baylor) out of the portal, who brings a big frame at 6’5″ and 248 pounds.
TCU’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- LaMareon James, CB, Old Dominion
- Jevon McIver Jr., CB, Austin Peay
- Andre Seldon, CB, New Mexico State
- Cameron Smith, S, Memphis
- Devean Deal, EDGE, Tulane
- JaTravis McCloud, CB, Utah
- Bless Harris, OT, Florida State
- Richard Toney, S Nevada
- Carson Bruno, IOL, Louisiana Tech
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, Cal
- Drake Dabney, TE, Baylor
- Braylon James, WR, Notre Dame
- Remington Strickland, IOL, Texas A&M
- Cooper McDonald, LB, San Diego State
- Jaise Oliver, S Tulsa
- Cade Bennett, OG, San Diego State
- Ken Seals, QB, Vanderbilt
- NaNa Osafo-Mensah, DL, Notre Dame
- Eric McAlister, WR, Boise State
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!