We’ve seen plenty of change with the ACC, but the 2023 season showed there could be more after the Florida State Seminoles were denied entrance to the College Football Playoff. While that situation plays out, the roster changes begin, and teams across the conference add talent via the transfer portal.
The ACC Transfer Portal Rankings show which teams hit the portal hard (hello, Louisville) while others sit tight (uh, Clemson).
2024 ACC Transfer Portal Rankings
17) Clemson Tigers
Total Transfers: 0
Top Offensive Transfer: N/A
Top Defensive Transfer: N/A
Dabo Swinney at least acknowledged the transfer portal this year, so maybe that’s a step in the right direction. Clemson is still a talented team without utilizing the newest trend in college football, but imagine what they could do if they added depth or even filled holes on their roster.
16) Stanford Cardinal
Total Transfers: Two
Top Offensive Transfer: N/A
Top Defensive Transfer: Jaivion Green, CB
Stanford could be in for a tough season for many reasons. Academic standards at the program restrict head coach Troy Taylor as he attempts to rebuild his roster. The Cardinal lost some key pieces to the transfer portal, but they did find a couple of players to add to the roster.
MORE: 2023 All-Transfer Portal College Football Team
Cornerback Jaivion Green played nine games for a Washington team that made it to the National Championship Game and adds good size to Stanford with his 6’2″ and 207 pounds frame. Linebacker Jahsiah Gaivan had a breakout year for Northern Iowa with 77 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss and should compete for a spot in the rotation.
Stanford’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Jaivion Green, CB, Washington
- Jahsiah Gaivan, LB, Northern Iowa
15) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Total Transfers: Five
Top Offensive Transfer: Hank Bachmeier, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Capone Blue, CB
Dave Clawson adapted to the transfer portal but also knows his culture and how to win with it. The Demon Deacons saw numerous transfers leave but only brought five players in from the portal.
Former Louisiana Tech and Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier was the most intriguing addition. He’s a talented player looking to find his footing, and he might just do that in Clawson’s unique system.
Wake Forest’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Capone Blue, CB, Kent State
- Branson Combs, LB, Southern Illinois
- Mateen Ibirogba, EDGE, Georgetown
- Hank Bachmeier, QB, Louisiana Tech
- Keagen Trost, OT, Indiana State
14) Virginia Tech Hokies
Total Transfers: Four
Top Offensive Transfer: Montavious Cunningham, OT
Top Defensive Transfer: Kelvin Gilliam Jr., DL
While the Hokies finished the year on a high note, the transfer portal class isn’t going to keep the buzz. Fortunately, Virginia Tech only needed to revamp its roster partially, so they focused on quality additions.
Aeneas Peebles was an underrated player for Duke last fall. The Blue Devils produced several quality transfers this year, and Peebles figures to find the field with his new team quickly. Kelvin Gilliam Jr. should also join him after transferring from Oklahoma.
Virginia Tech’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Kelvin Gilliam Jr., DL, Oklahoma
- Montavious Cunningham, OT, Georgia State
- Aeneas Peebles, DL, Duke
- Sam Brumfield, LB, Middle Tennessee
13) Pittsburgh Panthers
Total Transfers: Nine
Top Offensive Transfer: Eli Holstein, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: David Ojiegbe, EDGE
Pat Narduzzi may be stuck in his ways when it comes to offense, but he’s not denying the power of the transfer portal. The Panthers didn’t go crazy but added nine players from the portal.
Former Alabama quarterback Eli Holstein surprised some by choosing Pitt over many other schools. He may not start immediately, but he should push the rest of the room. Wide receiver Raphael Williams (San Diego State) and running back Desmond Reid (Western Carolina) are also names to watch for the Panthers’ offense.
Pitt lost talent on the defensive line to the portal, but they brought in David Ojiegbe (Clemson) and Nate Matlack (Kansas State) to combat those losses. Linebacker Keye Thompson (Ohio) is flying under the radar and should secure a starting spot for the defense.
Pitt’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Eli Holstein, QB, Alabama
- Raphael Williams, WR, San Diego State
- Keye Thompson, LB, Ohio
- Desmond Reid, RB, Western Carolina
- David Ojiegbe, EDGE, Clemson
- Nate Matlack, EDGE, Kansas State
- Lyndon Cooper, IOL, NC State
- Nick James, DL, Indiana
- Jake Overman, TE, Oregon State
12) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Total Transfers: Nine
Top Offensive Transfer: Ryland Goede, TE
Top Defensive Transfer: Jack Barton, DL
Georgia Tech is looking to build off a promising season in 2023, and they secured nine transfer portal players to help that cause in 2024. While there are only a few proven pieces in this class, the potential in this group is exciting.
Furman transfer Jack Barton is experienced and should be a nice piece for the defensive line. Linebacker EJ Lightsey (Georgia), defensive lineman Ayobami Tifase (Florida State), linebacker Jackson Hamilton (Louisville), and cornerback Warren Burrell (Tennessee) give the defense more depth on all three levels.
Georgia Tech’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Jack Barton, DL, Furman
- EJ Lightsey, LB, Georgia
- Ayobami Tifase, DL, Florida State
- Jackson Hamilton, LB, Louisville
- Warren Burrell, CB, Tennessee
- Ryland Goede, TE, Mississippi State
- Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Middle Tennessee
- Syeed Gibbs, CB, Rhode Island
- Jackson Hawes, TE, Yale
11) Virginia Cavaliers
Total Transfers: 11
Top Offensive Transfer: Chris Tyree, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Kempton Shine, CB
Tony Elliott’s head coaching experience has been anything but normal so far, but it hasn’t stopped him from moving forward. His transfer portal class is an underrated group with several instant-impact players.
Kempton Shine flew under the radar coming out of Eastern Michigan. He was a star for the Eagles’ defense, and now he should be a great corner for the Cavaliers. Virginia added fellow corner Jermarian Jackson from Robert Morris as well.
The passing game was a focus of this class. Offensively, the ‘Hoos signed five pass catchers, headlined by Notre Dame transfer Chris Tyree. North Carolina’s Andre Greene Jr. has the talent to be the go-to guy, and he’ll get an opportunity to showcase his talent in Virginia’s offense.
Virginia’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Kempton Shine, CB, Eastern Michigan
- Gavin Frakes, QB, New Mexico State
- Corey Thomas, LB, Akron
- Drake Metcalf, IOL, UCF
- Trell Harris, WR, Kent State
- Andre Greene Jr., WR, North Carolina
- Sage Ennis, TE, Clemson
- Jermarian Jackson, CB, Robert Morris
- Chris Tyree, WR, Notre Dame
- Tyler Neville, TE, Harvard
- Kendren Smith, CB, Penn
10) North Carolina Tar Heels
Total Transfers: Seven
Top Offensive Transfer: Jake Johnson, TE
Top Defensive Transfer: Jakeen Harris, S
North Carolina is again looking for a new starting quarterback, with Drake Maye off to the NFL. Mack Brown and his staff lost a good amount of talent from their 2023 roster, and they added a few quality players to fill some of those holes.
The most notable additions have to be the Johnson brothers. Quarterback Max Johnson looks to take over for Maye in the offense after not seeing the field a ton with Texas A&M. He is joined by his brother, Jake, who should be an instant impact player at tight end.
North Carolina’s secondary needed a veteran to help run the show, and the Tar Heels went out and got former NC State safety Jakeen Harris to help in that regard. They also needed to address the offensive line, where they added three players for depth and competition.
North Carolina’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Jake Johnson, TE, Texas A&M
- Austin Blaske, IOL, Georgia
- Howard Sampson, OT, North Texas
- Darwin Barlow, RB, USC
- Jakeen Harris, S, NC State
- Max Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
- Zach Greenberg, IOL, Muhlenberg
9) Duke Blue Devils
Total Transfers: Six
Top Offensive Transfer: Maalik Murphy, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Kendy Charles, DT
New head coach Manny Diaz didn’t add many players from the transfer portal, but the guys they got could all potentially see significant time. The Blue Devils added six players from the portal and might have found their future at quarterback.
Maalik Murphy’s exit from Texas felt imminent, but it was most likely best for both sides. Quinn Ewers’ return ensured he would be a backup for another year, and a quarterback battle with Arch Manning would be waiting for him in 2025. Instead, he heads to Duke where he’ll have a chance to start immediately.
MORE: College Football’s Best Transfers of All Time
After a huge year for Liberty, defensive tackle Kendy Charles took his talents to the transfer portal. He’s been a shining star for the Flames’ defense for a couple of years, and he should be a solid playmaker for Diaz’s defense. Old Dominion wide receiver Javon Harvey could offer the same impact for the offense.
Duke’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Maalik Murphy, QB, Texas
- Kendy Charles, DT, Liberty
- Javon Harvey, WR, Old Dominion
- Ozzie Nicholas, LB, Princeton
- Jack Purcell, OT, Penn
- Will Seller, DL, Penn
8) SMU Mustangs
Total Transfers: 11
Top Offensive Transfer: Brashard Smith, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Mike Lockhart, DL
Rhett Lashlee’s track record with the transfer portal leads the fanbase to trust what he’s doing. Even with more of an unproven transfer class like this year, Lashlee’s staff should get the benefit of the doubt. However, a wait-and-see element still impacts their position in these ACC Transfer Portal Rankings.
Brashard Smith should be an instant impact player at wide receiver, and he continues the Miami to SMU connection. The Mustangs also added Oregon transfer Ashton Cozart to the position as well.
Lashlee’s staff reeled in multiple players on the defensive line in hopes that the strong defensive play from last year will continue in 2024. Anthony Booker (Arkansas), Mike Lockhart (West Virginia), and Jahfari Harvey (Miami) lead the way with multiple years of experience.
Omari Abor (Ohio State) and Jonathan Jefferson (Georgia) bring upside and are already creating a buzz with their commitments.
SMU’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Brashard Smith, WR, Miami
- Anthony Booker Jr, DL, Arkansas
- Mike Lockhart, DL, West Virginia
- Deuce Harmon, CB, Texas A&M
- Savion Byrd, OT, Oklahoma
- Omari Abor, EDGE, Ohio State
- Jonathan Jefferson, DL, Georgia
- Nate Anderson, IOL, Oklahoma
- Justin Medlock, LB, Utah
- Ashton Cozart, WR, Oregon
- Jahfari Harvey, EDGE, Miami
7) Cal Golden Bears
Total Transfers: 11
Top Offensive Transfer: Chandler Rogers, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Marcus Harris, CB
After many thought Justin Wilcox was on his way out the door, he put together a solid season despite difficult circumstances. He then built on that success with a nice transfer portal class.
Cal’s transfers might not directly stack up against the best classes in the ACC, but there’s something to be said about finding the right fit for the program, and the Golden Bears staff did exactly that with this portal class.
Running back Kadarius Calloway could have gone to many other schools after a standout year at Old Dominion but he adds depth to Cal’s rushing attack instead. Chandler Rogers broke out at quarterback for North Texas in 2023, giving Cal a dangerous player to run the offense.
Mikey Matthews (Utah) gives them an up-and-coming player at wide receiver, while veteran Tobias Merriweather comes from Notre Dame to potentially guide the young star. Even without Jake Spavital calling the plays, this offense has explosive potential.
Cal’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Victor Stoffel, OT, Temple
- Jonathan Brady, WR, New Mexico State
- Kadarius Calloway, RB, Old Dominion
- Marcus Harris, CB, Idaho
- Mikey Matthews, WR, Utah
- Chandler Rogers, QB, North Texas
- Rush Reimer, IOL, Montana State
- Tobias Merriweather, WR, Notre Dame
- Ryan Coe, K, North Carolina
- Teddye Buchanan, LB, UC Davis
- Aidan Keanaaina, DL, Notre Dame
6) Boston College Eagles
Total Transfers: 10
Top Offensive Transfer: Jerand Bradley, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Cameron Martinez, S
I might be higher on Boston College’s transfer portal class than most, but I like the work that Jeff Hafley’s staff did in the portal. Adding 10 players was an impressive accomplishment; many come from other Power Five schools.
Wide receiver Jerand Bradley (Texas Tech) and tight end Kamari Morales (North Carolina) bring big frames to a passing attack that needed a jolt. Vanderbilt wide receiver Jayden McGowan brings speed to the table, and the Eagles added running back Treshaun Ward (Kansas State) as the workhorse.
Quarterback Grayson James leads a group of underrated players in this class, and Boston College hopes his time at FIU can lead to some success in the ACC. Ohio State transfers Cameron Martinez (safety) and Ryan Turner (cornerback) join former Buckeye staffer Hafley to give the defense a boost.
Boston College’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Sed McConnell, DL, Illinois
- Jerand Bradley, WR, Texas Tech
- Jordan McDonald, RB, UCF
- Grayson James, QB, FIU
- Bryquice Brown, CB, Georgia State
- Jayden McGowan, WR, Vanderbilt
- Cameron Martinez, S, Ohio State
- Ryan Turner, CB, Ohio State
- Treshaun Ward, RB, Kansas State
- Kamari Morales, TE, North Carolina
5) Syracuse Orange
Total Transfers: 11
Top Offensive Transfer: Kyle McCord, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Fadill Diggs, EDGE
Fran Brown used his connections to get his first transfer portal class started, resulting in six players coming from SEC schools. The former Georgia defensive back coach wanted to get the Orange back on track quickly, and this class helps in that regard.
A familiar face returns to Syracuse in cornerback Duce Chestnut. He was a standout two years ago before entering the transfer portal. His return is needed with a couple of key defensive backs gone, and Buffalo safety Devin Grant should help him out.
Brown and his staff made some headlines by getting Texas A&M defensive end Fadil Diggs to head to the Northeast. He’s an explosive player on the edge and should find plenty of success with the Orange. The other big headline came when Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse from Ohio State. He might be the most important player in this class.
Syracuse’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Duce Chestnut, CB, LSU
- Dion Wilson Jr., DL, New Mexico State
- Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, IOL, Howard
- Joshua Miller, IOL, Georgia
- Zeed Haynes, WR, Georgia
- Devin Grant, S, Buffao
- James Heard, EDGE, West Virginia
- Isaiah Hastings, DL, Alabama
- Fadill Diggs, EDGE, Texas A&M
- Jackson Meeks, WR, Georgia
- Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State
4) Miami Hurricanes
Total Transfers: 10
Top Offensive Transfer: Cam Ward, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Marley Cook, DL
Mario Cristobal is a good talent evaluator, and his class would have been decent if it only had nine players in it. However, adding a guy like quarterback Cam Ward makes the class infinitely better and sparks excitement for the offense.
Ward comes from Washington State and was going to enter the draft before returning to college. He’s a great fit in Shannon Dawson’s system and should like the talent surrounding him in the offense. They also added Albany transfer Reese Poffenbarger for depth.
Cristobal’s staff got a commitment from Rodney Hill (Florida State), which could prove big with Donald Cheney leaving the running back room.
Defensive end Elijah Alston from Marshall gives the Hurricanes an explosive threat on the edge, and Middle Tennessee transfer Marley Cook chose the Canes over multiple other big schools.
Miami’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Cam Ward, QB, Washington State
- Mishael Powell, S, Washington
- Reese Poffenbarger, QB, Albany
- Elijah Alston, EDGE, Marshall
- Rodney Hill, RB, Florida State
- Isaiah Taylor, S, Arizona
- Savion Riley, S, Vanderbilt
- CJ Clark, DL, NC State
- Zach Carpenter, IOL, Indiana
- Marley Cook, DL, Middle Tennessee
3) NC State Wolfpack
Total Transfers: 11
Top Offensive Transfer: Grayson McCall, QB
Top Defensive Transfer: Tamarcus Cooley, CB
Dave Doeren wanted to ensure his team would be competitors in the new-look ACC, and several of their transfer portal acquisitions should work their way into the lineup quickly. The Wolfpack added 11 transfers to their roster, and the fanbase should recognize many of them.
Quarterback Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina) is a great fit in Robert Anae’s system. He’s a dual-threat passer looking to finish his career on a high note and has the talent to make some absurd throws.
MORE: Five Potential Transfers After Jim Harbaugh’s Departure
There’s plenty of skill around him too, as Doeren’s staff added wide receiver Noah Rogers (Ohio State), tight end Justin Joly (UConn), and wide receiver Wesley Grimes (Wake Forest) to put a jolt in the passing attack. Running backs Jordan Waters (Duke) and Daylan Smothers (Oklahoma) help fill holes left by multiple portal departures at the position.
Cornerback was a need for NC State, so they brought in three players at the position. Tamarcus Cooley and Corey Coley Jr. come from Maryland, and Devon Marshall joins NC State from Vanderbilt to build depth in the secondary.
NC State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Noah Rogers, WR, Ohio State
- Tamarcus Cooley, CB, Maryland
- Devon Marshall, CB, Vanderbilt
- Jordan Waters, RB, Duke
- Daylan Smothers, RB, Oklahoma
- Valen Erickson, OT, Missouri
- Justin Joly, TE, UConn
- Corey Coley Jr., CB, Maryland
- Wesley Grimes, WR, Wake Forest
- Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina
- Zeke Correll, IOL, Notre Dame
2) Louisville Cardinals
Total Transfers: 26
Top Offensive Transfer: Ja’Corey Brooks, WR
Top Defensive Transfer: Daeh McCullough, S
Jeff Brohm doesn’t have time to wait for his roster to rebuild. The Louisville head coach is trying to do it as fast as possible, and after getting 25 transfers in 2023, Brohm outdid himself in 2024 with 26 transfer portal additions.
It’s tough to pick out a few that stand out because Louisville added so many players who will contribute to the team this year. Running backs Peny Boone (Toledo) and Donald Cheney Jr. (Miami) will help replace Jahwar Jordan’s production in the rushing attack, and the staff brought in six players on the offensive line.
One of the more substantial surprises in the transfer portal was Louisville landing Tennessee defensive end Tyler Baron to flip his commitment from Ole Miss. The defense lost a ton of talent after the last two years, but Brohm’s staff has done well to reload that side of the ball.
Tyler Shough comes in from Texas Tech, and Brohm better hope his strength and conditioning staff has a plan to keep him healthy all year. Shough has yet to play a full season in his five-year career, and Louisville can’t afford to take a step back in the passing attack this year.
Louisville’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Rasheed Miller, OT, Georgia Southern
- Jurriente Davis, LB, Texas A&M
- Daeh McCullough, S, Oklahoma
- Peny Boone, RB, Toledo
- Wesley Walker, S, Tennessee
- Jordan Guerad, DL, FIU
- Tamarion McDonald, S, Tennessee
- Antonio Meeks, WR, Tuskegee
- Pete Nygra, IOL, Northern Illinois
- Tyler Baron, DE, Tennessee
- Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Alabama
- Jaleel Skinner, TE, Miami
- Corey Thornton, CB, UCF
- Tayon Holloway, CB, North Carolina
- Tahveon Nicholson, CB, Illinois
- Reuben Unije, OT, Houston
- Monroe Mills, OT, Texas Tech
- Caullin Lacy, WR, South Alabama
- Blake Ruffin, S, Eastern Illinois
- Victor Cutler Jr., IOL, Ohio State
- Mark Redman, TE, San Diego State
- Izayah Cummings, TE, Kentucky
- Donald Cheney Jr., RB, Miami
- Thor Griffith, DT, Harvard
- Jonathan Mendoza, OT, Yale
- Tyler Shough, QB, Texas Tech
1) Florida State Seminoles
Total Transfers: 15
Top Offensive Transfer: Roydell Williams, RB
Top Defensive Transfer: Davonte Brown, CB
While the sting from their College Football Playoff snub remains, Florida State’s staff went straight back to work in the transfer portal offseason. They brought in 15 players, and they made sure each one of them counted.
The Seminoles capitalized on the mass exodus from Alabama when Nick Saban retired by getting five players from Tuscaloosa. Running back Roydell Williams should be incredibly fun to watch in Norvell’s system, and fans hope that Malik Benson can break out at receiver.
Everyone is excited to see quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei play against his former team, Clemson, this year, and the Seminoles hope he can provide some stability at the quarterback position.
Norvell and his staff have been bold in using the portal, and this year feels like a great year to fill holes in the roster. With the amount of talent departing and the upcoming schedule, Florida State did a great job of bringing quality talent, keeping the Seminoles in title contention and earning the top spot in our ACC Transfer Portal Rankings.
Florida State’s Transfer Portal Class, 2024
- Shawn Murphy, LB, Alabama
- Roydell Williams, RB, Alabama
- Sione Lolohea, DL, Oregon State
- Richie Leonard IV, IOL, Florida
- Earl Little II, CB, Alabama
- Terrence Ferguson, IOL, Alabama
- Malik Benson, WR, Alabama
- Davonte Brown, CB, Miami
- Tomiwa Durojaiye, DL, West Virginia
- Jalen Brown, WR, LSU
- Grady Kelly, DL, Colorado State
- Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE, Georgia
- Jaylin Lucas, RB, Indiana
- DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Oregon State
- Jacob Rizy, OT, Harvard
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!