There’s an argument that the Sun Belt possesses the most depth of any conference in the country, and this year should be the same. The transfer portal ensured that teams will look vastly different, with teams like the James Madison Dukes getting a complete facelift.
So, which teams dominated the portal? Our 2024 Sun Belt Transfer Portal Rankings look at the top players entering the conference and how they will improve their new schools.
2024 Sun Belt Transfer Portal Rankings
14) UL-Monroe Warhawks
Total Transfers: 11
Top Offensive Transfer: Wyatt McClour, TE
Top Defensive Transfer: Carl Fauntroy, S
New head coach Bryant Vincent has plenty of work ahead of him as he takes over a team with just one winning season this century. His main focus will be adding talent, but that proves challenging too.
The Warhawks transfer portal class brings in playmakers with potential, but that are predominantly unproven.
Wyatt McClour brings intrigue to the tight end position, and Vincent’s staff also snagged six former New Mexico Lobos transfers to add depth to the roster.
UL-Monroe’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Austin Ackel, LB, New Mexico
- Jacob Godfrey, WR, New Mexico
- Taven Curry, RB, UAB
- Sam Telesa, IOL, New Mexico
- Carl Fauntroy, S, UAB
- Devon Smith, OT, New Mexico
- Carter Miller, IOL, James Madison
- Tyler Griffin, WR, UCF
- Wyatt McClour, TE, New Mexico
- Reese Steele, IOL, New Mexico
- Wydett Williams Jr., S, Delta State
13) Troy Trojans
Total Transfers: Six
Top Offensive Transfer: Gerald Green, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Cecil Powell, S
Gerad Parker takes over for Jon Sumrall at Troy, inheriting a roster with a good foundation despite multiple departures. The Trojans needed to replace certain players and addressed some of those openings in the transfer portal.
Running back Gerald Green looks to replace Kimani Vidal after being buried on the ECU depth chart. He brings over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing with him. Safety Cecil Powell (NC State) only played two games in the last three years, but he’s looking to get back on the field with Troy. He produced 65 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2019 and 2020.
Troy’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Gerald Green, RB, ECU
- Cecil Powell, S, NC State
- Evan Crenshaw, P, Coastal Carolina
- Jordan Perry, LB, Kansas State
- Joshua Donald, DL, Southern
- Jah’-Mal Williams, EDGE, Cincinnati
12) Old Dominion Monarchs
Total Transfers: Six
Top Offensive Transfer: Aaron Young, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Will Jones, S
The transfer portal was not kind to Old Dominion for the second successive season, as multiple big names departed this offseason. Ricky Rahne’s staff went right to work identifying replacements, and a small transfer class filled a couple of holes.
With Lamareon James, Shawn Asbury II, and Tahj Ra-El leaving for the portal, Rahne knew they’d need to address the secondary. Charles Young (Arizona), Patrick Smith (North Texas), and Will Jones (USF) should replace them. Running backs Aaron Young (Rutgers) and Bryce Duke (Virginia Tech) will help offset the loss of Kadarius Calloway.
Old Dominion’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Charles Yates, CB, Arizona
- Aaron Young, RB, Rutgers
- Patrick Smith, CB, North Texas
- Zachary Barlev, OG, Ilinois
- Bryce Duke, RB, Virginia Tech
- Will Jones, S, USF
11) Arkansas State Red Wolves
Total Transfers: Eight
Top Offensive Transfer: Malik Hornsby, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Jordan Mahoney, CB
After a surprising 6-7 season, Butch Jones and the Arkansas State Red Wolves are looking to take another step in the right direction. They started by adding some potentially explosive players from the transfer portal, with eight players coming to campus.
Former Arkansas and Texas State transfer Malik Hornsby comes to Arkansas State after playing quarterback with the two previous schools. He’ll switch to wide receiver with Jaylen Raynor securing the starting spot at quarterback, and his speed could be a valuable asset to the offense.
Cornerback Jordan Mahoney brings multiple years of experience from UMass, as does EDGE Noah Collins from Georgia Tech. Texas A&M transfer Micaiah Overton joins Collins on the defensive line, as does Liberty transfer Bryan Whitehead.
Arkansas State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Malik Hornsby, WR, Texas State
- Noah Collins, EDGE, Georgia Tech
- Brook Honore Jr., P, Texas Tech
- Micaiah Overton, DL, Texas A&M
- Kyle Taylor, LB, Tarlton State
- EJ Ndoma-Ogar, IOL, Missouri
- Bryan Whitehead, DL, Liberty
- Jordan Mahoney, CB, UMass
10) South Alabama Jaguars
Total Transfers: Five
Top Offensive Transfer: Andrew Bench, TE
Top Defensive Transfer: Ladarius Webb, S
As the Major Applewhite era begins, the fanbase waits to see what the roster will look like in 2024. A coaching change typically brings roster movement, and South Alabama saw a few of its top players depart for other schools. However, Applewhite and the new staff currently sit with five incoming transfers, and more could be on the way.
Ladraius Webb Jr. couldn’t crack the starting lineup at Oklahoma State, but there’s a good chance he’ll do so with the Jags. Tight end Andrew Bench saw the field little at Bowling Green but has a decent frame that could help the passing attack for South Alabama.
South Alabama’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Bryston Dixon, DL, Georgia Tech
- Andrew Bench, TE, Bowling Green
- Laith Marjan, K, ECU
- Ladarius Webb Jr., S, Oklahoma State
- Malachi Preciado, IOL, Purdue
9) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Total Transfers: Three
Top Offensive Transfer: Noah Kim, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: N/A
Coastal Carolina knew that an exit of talent was coming, but it still hurt to see certain players leave. Grayson McCall, Tyson Mobley, Jared Brown, and C.J. Beasley leave huge vacancies in the offense. New faces will be the feature of that side of the ball.
Noah Kim comes to the Chanticleers after seeing time as the starting quarterback at Michigan State. He’ll compete with a few other players for the starting spot, and the skill position talent around him should give him some comfort.
The Chanticleers also added two linemen to their class. Sawyer Goram-Welch comes from the Texas Longhorns, and underdog Heston Edwards comes from Division II school Texas-Permian Basin.
Coastal Carolina’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Sawyer Goram-Welch, IOL, Texas
- Noah Kim, QB, Michigan State
- Heston Edwards, OT, Texas-Permian Basin
8) Appalachian State Mountaineers
Total Transfers: Eight
Top Offensive Transfer: Charles Wright, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Jason Chambers, CB
After taking a backward step in 2022, Shawn Clark’s Mountaineers roared back for a 9-5 finish in 2023. The roster appears solid, but Clark and his staff added eight transfers to create more depth.
Joey Aguilar is set to be the quarterback, and Charles Wright comes from Texas to back him up with Ryan Burger gone. The offense saw additions out wide, as wide receivers William Fowles (Louisville) and Zavier Short (South Carolina) join a talented group of pass catchers.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Defensively, the Mountaineers added a few underrated players ready to break out with their new school. Myles Farmer (Syracuse), Jason Chambers (NC Central), and Avarion Cole (North Carolina A&T) are ready to prove they can elevate the App State secondary.
Chambers and Cole picked off a combined six passes at the FCS level.
Appalachian State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Charles Wright, QB, Texas
- Myles Farmer, S, Syracuse
- William Fowles, WR, Louisville
- Thomas Shrader, IOL, Florida State
- Jason Chambers, CB, NC Central
- Zavier Short, WR, South Carolina
- Michael Morotta, IOL, Valdosta State
- Avarion Cole, S, North Carolina A&T
7) Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Total Transfers: Five
Top Offensive Transfer: N/A
Top Defensive Transfer: Naejuan Barber, DT
The Ragin Cajuns continue to fly under the radar, which helps them in the Sun Belt as everyone focuses on the top teams. Their transfer portal class embodied that in a way, too.
Louisiana brings in three players from Power Five programs, but none have seen the field yet. There are two other players to keep an eye on for this team. Defensive tackle Naejuan Barber notched 8.5 tackles for loss last year with South Carolina State, while safety Jaden Dugger was a versatile weapon for Georgetown and hopes to do the same here.
Louisiana’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Fitzgerald West, DL, LSU
- Ashley Williams, EDGE, Arizona State
- Naejuan Barber, Dt, South Carolina State
- Jaden Dugger, S, Georgetown
- Carmycah Glass, LB, Missouri
6) Georgia Southern Eagles
Total Transfers: Eight
Top Offensive Transfer: LV Bunkley-Shelton, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Chance Gamble, S
Georgia Southern’s offense looks completely different in just a short time under Clay Helton, and it’s been an entertaining two years so far. From the triple option to an air raid attack, the Eagles move the ball down the field in a different way. They also recruit differently, and it’s helped them in the transfer portal.
LV Bunkley-Shelton (Oklahoma) looks to restart his once-promising career while at Arizona State and should be a feature in the offense. Auburn transfer Tyler Fromm (brother of former Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm) brings a great frame as a target for the next Eagles quarterback.
Is that Indiana transfer Dexter Williams II? We’ll soon find out.
Georgia Southern’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Chance Gamble, S, Kennesaw State
- Davon Hicks, LB, Washington State
- LV Bunkley-Shelton, WR, Oklahoma
- Tyler Fromm, TE, Auburn
- Deontre Morris, S, Kennesaw State
- Justin Kanyuk, OT, North Carolina
- Dexter Williams II, QB, Indiana
- Kyle Frazier, IOL, Savannah State
5) Texas State Bobcats
Total Transfers: 14
Top Offensive Transfer: Jaylen Jenkins, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Justin Harris, CB
Compared to last year’s insane haul in the transfer portal, 14 players seems light for Texas State. After a breakthrough season under G.J. Kinne, the Bobcats saw key contributors take their talents elsewhere, so they had to return to the portal to replace them.
The defense adds several potential Day 1 starters, including Cincinnati cornerback Justin Harris and Michigan State defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye. Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Alex Merritt was also an underrated addition.
On offense, tight end Blake Smith (Oklahoma) leads an underrated group of pass catcher additions. Jaden Williams (Boston College) and Beau Sparks (Utah Tech) also joined that receiving group. Washington State running back Jaylen Jenkins could be electric in Kinne’s scheme.
Texas State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Blake Smith, TE, Oklahoma
- Tunmise Adeleye, DL, Michigan State
- Justin Harris, CB, Cincinnati
- Max Harris, LB, UL-Monroe
- Jaylen Jenkins, RB, Washington State
- Jaden Williams, WR, Boston College
- Torrance Burgess Jr., RB, UTEP
- Steven Parker, EDGE, Incarnate Word
- Tellek Lockette, IOL, UL-Monroe
- Beau Sparks, WR, Utah Tech
- Brice Bass, EDGE, Gardner-Webb
- James Neal, LB, UTEP
- Alex Merritt, DL, Eastern Michigan
- Latrez Shelton, CB, UTEP
4) Georgia State Panthers
Total Transfers: 12
Top Offensive Transfer: Domonique Thomas, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: KD McDaniel, LB
Georgia State lost two of its best players this offseason, so Shawn Elliott and his staff knew they needed to find replacements quickly. The offense depends on it for success in 2024. Fortunately, they had options.
Zach Gibson comes from Georgia Tech to take over for longtime starting QB Darren Grainger, and he has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, he’ll have a pair of transfers next to him to help ease some of that load.
MORE: Top 10 Transfer Portal Departures From the Sun Belt
Domonique Thomas found himself stuck behind Will Shipley and Phil Mafah at Clemson, and decided he wanted more touches. Should he win the starting job at Georgia State, he’ll see the ball plenty. Joining him from the portal is C.J. Beasley, who’s a highlight reel running back in clutch moments.
Defensively, the Panthers added some unproven players with good potential. Kenyatta Watson (Georgia Tech) and Jyron Gilmore (Tennessee Tech) should push for playing time at corner. Martez Thrower (Kentucky) and Jayven Hall (Marshall) fit the same mold at linebacker.
EDGE KD McDaniel could be a big-time playmaker for the Georgia State defense after his two years with UCF.
Georgia State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Joshua Black, IOL, Louisville
- Kenyatta Watson II, CB, Georgia Tech
- Zach Gibson, QB, Georgia Tech
- KD McDaniel, EDGE, UCF
- Jayven Hall, LB, Marshall
- Domonique Thomas, RB, Clemson
- Martez Thrower, LB, Kentucky
- Derrick Maxey, S, Coastal Carolina
- Victoine Brown, DL, Louisville
- Kyrik Mason, OT, Monmouth
- CJ Beasley, RB, Coastal Carolina
- Jyron Gilmore, CB, Tennessee Tech
3) Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Total Transfers: 10
Top Offensive Transfer: Tate Rodemaker, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Desmyn Baker, LB
Will Hall’s feeling the heat after a 3-9 season, but a class that features near the top of our Sun Belt Transfer Portal Rankings should cool off his seat. Ten players come to the Golden Eagles, many of whom should be instant impact players.
Florida State transfer quarterback Tate Rodemaker gained some starting experience late in the season with Jordan Travis getting hurt, and now he can be QB1 for good.
He’s joined by two Ole Miss transfers in wide receiver Larry Simmons and tight end Kyirin Heath. Eastern Michigan transfer Zack Conti, known for his role in this viral moment, was another underrated addition.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles added plenty of talent and experience. Linebackers Desmyn Baker (Western Kentucky) and Trey Pinckney (Coastal Carolina) should immediately step into starting roles on the Southern Miss depth chart.
Southern Miss’ Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Jonathan Davis, DL, Mississippi State
- Tate Rodmaker, QB, Florida State
- Braxton Myers, S, Purdue
- Larry Simmons, WR, Ole Miss
- Kyirin Heath, TE, Ole Miss
- Desmyn Baker, LB, Western Kentucky
- Will James, S, Mississippi State
- Zack Conti, IOL, Eastern Michigan
- Trey Pinkney, LB, Coastal Carolina
- Ryan Johnson, DL, Akron
2) James Madison Dukes
Total Transfers: 15
Top Offensive Transfer: Ayo Adeyi, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Jacob Dobbs, LB
Bob Chesney knew the challenges he’d face at the FBS level, and he’s hitting the ground running with his new school. The former Holy Cross head coach took over James Madison when Curt Cignetti took the Indiana job, and he’s hit the transfer portal hard to bring in talent.
Offensively, the Dukes bring in plenty of talent to keep the ball rolling in 2024. Quarterback Dylan Morris (Washington) finally gets his chance to be the starter after spending plenty of time as a backup to Michael Penix Jr.
Chesney added three running backs to his class too. Tyler Purdy follows him from Holy Cross, while George Pettaway (North Carolina) and Ayo Adeyi (North Texas) add to that position too. UConn wide receiver Cameron Ross is a name to watch in 2024.
Jacob Dobbs served as a team captain for Chesney at Holy Cross, bringing 432 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks.
James Madison’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Cameron Ross, WR, UConn
- Patrick McMurtie, OT, Holy Cross
- Hunter McLain, IOL, Virginia Tech
- Tyler Purdy, RB, Holy Cross
- Dylan Morris, QB, Washington
- Terry Lockett, DL, Syracuse
- Lloyd Summerall, EDGE, USF
- Raymond Scott, LB, Fresno State
- Eric O’Neill, DL, LIU
- Logan Kyle, TE, Vanderbilt
- George Pettaway, RB, North Carolina
- Ayo Adeyi, RB, North Texas
- Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross
- Nakai Poole, WR, Mississippi State
1) Marshall Thundering Herd
Total Transfers: 21
Top Offensive Transfer: Braylon Braxton, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Jason Harris, EDGE
Marshall has made a bowl game in each of Charles Huff’s three seasons with the team, but a 6-7 season left them wanting more. With several starters leaving this offseason, the Thundering Herd staff hit the transfer portal hard to replace that talent.
Braylon Braxton gives them a dynamic dual threat at his peak. He struggled with turnovers last year at Tulsa but now gets a fresh start with a Marshall team that hopes to win the Sun Belt. Huff added Wake Forest transfer Mitch Griffis to compete with Braxton at quarterback.
MORE: 2024 Sun Belt Scheduled Cross-Divisional Opponents
NC State transfer Jordan Houston brings over 1,300 yards rushing with him to replace Rasheen Ali, and he should be an instant impact player on offense. Jason Harris (Arizona) could be the same at linebacker, thanks to his 6’7″, 250-pound frame.
Marshall’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Blake Ford, K, Arkansas
- Cedrick Nicely, OT, Ole Miss
- Jacraius Clayton, DL, Mississippi State
- Braylon Braxton, QB, Tulsa
- Ashton Heflin, LB, Georgia Tech
- Bralon Brown, WR, Ole Miss
- Carl Chester, WR, Tulsa
- Will Norman, DL, Florida
- Isaiah Johnson, CB, Arizona State
- Jeremy Jones, IOL, Tulsa
- Jason Harris, EDGE, Arizona
- Barrett Maddox, OT, Vanderbilt
- Ty Perkins, WR, Cincinnati
- Justin Holmes, TE, Kent State
- Jordan Houston, RB, NC State
- Jason Shuford, DL, ECU
- Tychaun Chapman, WR, North Carolina
- Mitch Griffis, QB, Wake Forest
- Elijah Metcalf, WR, Middle Tennessee
- Christian Fitzpatrick, Michigan State
- Bryce Ramsey, IOL, Southern Miss
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!