The winter transfer portal window, open from Dec. 9, 2024, to Dec. 28, 2024, allowed countless players to rethink their commitments and explore new beginnings ahead of the 2025 season. The cycle begins anew with the spring transfer portal officially open from April 16, 2025, to April 25, 2025.
Top Gainers of the Transfer Portal 2024
Here’s a look at the programs that capitalized most during the transfer portal 2024—ranked by the overall value added to their rosters.
10) Michigan Wolverines
Total transfers in: 13
Biggest gain: RB Justice Haynes
Of the 13 new Michigan additions—some will start immediately, others will add depth, and a few are promising long-term projects. Among them, RB Justice Haynes is undoubtedly the most talented.
The former Alabama standout rushed for 616 yards and nine touchdowns on 104 carries and added 99 receiving yards on 17 catches over two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
9) Auburn Tigers
Total transfers in: 16
Biggest gain: WR Eric Singleton Jr
Auburn was aggressive in the first transfer portal window, bringing in 16 players to fill key gaps. Their top addition was Eric Singleton Jr., the No. 3 overall transfer and top-rated receiver by 247Sports.
After leading Georgia Tech in receiving for two seasons—most recently with 754 yards and three touchdowns—Singleton steps in to replace KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
8) Texas A&M Aggies
Total transfers in: 14
Biggest gain: WR Kevin Concepcion
Texas A&M addressed key roster gaps by securing 14 scholarship players during the 20-day winter transfer window. One addition—former Texas Tech receiver Micah Hudson—departed shortly after arriving.
However, the Aggies made a major splash by landing NC State WR standout Kevin Concepcion. The 5’ 11”, 189-pound sophomore ranked No. 6 among receivers and No. 15 overall in ESPN’s transfer rankings.
7) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Total transfers in: 11
Biggest gain: Edge Bradley Weaver
During the winter transfer window, the Knights made defense their top priority—particularly strengthening the pass rush. A major addition was Bradley Weaver, a 6’ 4”, 262-pound standout from Ohio University. He recorded 44 tackles, including 15 for loss and 8.5 sacks in the Mid-American Conference.
They also got James Madison edge rusher Eric O’Neill, who racked up an impressive 13 sacks in 2024. Together, Weaver and O’Neill ranked among the top 25 sack leaders nationally; O’Neill is sixth, and Weaver is 21st. They give Rutgers a powerful one-two punch heading into the 2025 season.
6) Missouri Tigers
Total transfers in: 18
Biggest gain: Edge Damon Wilson
Missouri hit the transfer portal with multiple positions in need, most due to NFL departures and expiring eligibility. They brought in 18 new players—half on defense. Their biggest win was landing former Georgia defensive end Damon Wilson II, ranked the No. 5 overall transfer and No. 2 defensive player by 247Sports.
5) Miami Hurricanes
Total transfers in: 12
Biggest gain: QB Carson Beck
Miami was expected to land Beck, and ultimately, Mario Cristobal and Co. got their man. Beck steps into the Hurricanes’ offense, replacing Cam Ward — a 2024 Heisman finalist and likely top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
During his two years as Georgia Bulldogs starter, Beck posted an average of 3,713 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions per season with a 156.2 passer rating and 68.4% completion rate. Though he led the SEC with 12 interceptions last year, his season was cut short due to an elbow injury in the SEC title game.
4) Oregon Ducks
Total transfers in: 10
Biggest gain: S Dillon Thieneman
The Ducks added 10 new players, many expected to start in 2025 if they live up to their potential. Among the standout additions is junior Dillon Thieneman, a rising star who spent two seasons at Purdue Boilermakers. He recorded back-to-back 100-tackle seasons while recording six career interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 210 total tackles.
3) LSU Tigers
Total transfers in: 16
Biggest gain: WR Barion Brown
In the winter, LSU saw 19 transfers leave and 16 arrive. LSU’s transfer portal class ranks No. 3 in the country. Among LSU’s top-ranked additions were former Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Barion Brown and former Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton.
2) Ole Miss Rebels
Total transfers in: 25
Biggest gain: Edge Princewill Umanmielen
The Ole Miss Rebels look to replace a good deal of departing talent on their roster entering the 2025 season. The one position of need has been at edge rusher.
The program signed two top 10 edge rushers out of the winter portal. They secured commitments from Da’Shawn Womack and Princewill Umanmielen, the younger brother of standout pass rusher Princely.
1) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Total transfers in: 18
Biggest gain: Edge David Bailey
The Texas Tech transfer portal class ranks No. 1 nationally, raising expectations for a program that is coming off its fourth-consecutive bowl appearance and an 8-5 record in McGuire’s third season.
The Red Raiders’ additions include David Bailey, the top-rated returning edge rusher in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
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Tech has also brought in standout defensive tackles Lee Hunter, Skyler Gill-Howard, and Anthony Holmes Jr., along with linebacker Romello Height, making their front seven one of the most talented in college football.
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