Unbeknownst to most, the FCS sends elite talent to the FBS ranks every transfer portal window. And while the spring window is now closed, meaning no non-graduate players can enter the portal, these 10 players are still ripe for the picking.
Best Remaining FCS Players in the 2024 College Football Transfer Portal
10) Tyler Huenemann, DT, Harvard
While fellow Harvard DT transfer Thor Griffith is now at Louisville, Tyler Huenemann is still on the market. As a starter in the last two seasons, Huenemann has generated 51 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and six sacks, but he made his biggest impact as a run defender, plugging gaps and blowing up lanes.
9) Aidan Twombly, TE, VMI
Productive receiving tight ends are hard to come by in FCS, so it’s no surprise Aidan Twombly is looking to cash in on his 38-reception, 558-yard, and three-TD 2023 campaign. Twombly isn’t much of a YAC threat, but he doesn’t have to be with his WR-esque mobility and seam-busting prowess inline or from the slot.
8) Devon Starling, RB, Northern Arizona
After three years of solid play at Tennessee State, Devon Starling sought stiffer competition at Northern Arizona. The result was a 140-726-6 rushing line and a 22-210-1 receiving line, prompting Starling to search for yet another step up.
Starling torched Utah Tech, Sacramento State, and Eastern Washington to the tune of 100+ rushing yards, and he fumbled the ball the same amount of times he dropped a pass: zero.
7) Terron Mallory, CB, Norfolk State
After four years at Sacred Heart, Terron Mallory took his talents to Norfolk State for the 2023 campaign. The move proved to be the right one, as Mallory snatched four INTs and forced a fumble for the Spartans, highlighting his playmaking gene.
He’s a smooth mover who can mirror WRs at the break. The stat to know? Mallory has never allowed a pass of 30 yards or more in his collegiate career.
too creative for a 9-5🤹🏽♂️ #TeachTape pic.twitter.com/irRcPQkF7Y
— Terron Mallory (@TMallory24) December 19, 2023
6) Christian Dunn, EDGE, VMI
Christian Dunn began his career as a full-time EDGE but showed his versatility last season, splitting his time between the defensive line, the box, and the slot. The true Swiss Army knife has recorded 213 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, nine sacks, and 10 PBUs over the last three years, showcasing his triple-threat ability (run defense, pass rush, and coverage).
5) Aubrey Parker, S, Brown
Following two seasons honing his craft as a depth piece, Aubrey Parker broke out as a starter last year. In his 52-tackle, three-INT, and seven-PBU outing, Parker took significant snaps in the box, slot, and at deep safety, making plays at all levels.
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Yet, Parker’s movement skills and instincts in coverage should have teams most excited, as he had no issue locking down his areas of the field.
4) David Powers, LB, Wofford
All David Powers does is produce. He led Cisco College in tackles in 2020 (85 in seven games) and 2021 (94 in nine) and then did the same at Wofford the last two years (66 in 2022 and 94 in 2023).
An effective blitzer, sure tackler, free-flowing run defender, and better-than-average cover man, Powers should find his new home soon.
3) Shiloh Means, S, Penn
Fresh off a first-team All-Ivy selection, Shiloh Means is ready for an upgrade. He has no issue coming downhill and using all 5’11” and 200 pounds of his frame to stop ball carriers in their tracks.
However, Means has done most of his damage in coverage, producing four INTs and 14 PBUs in the last two years while spending most of his time at free safety and in the slot.
Q3 3:30 | Penn 28, Cornell 14
The Quakers’ second INT of the game is a good one, belonging to Shiloh Means!#FightOnPenn x #BEGREAT pic.twitter.com/fl4RvKzOfh
— Penn Football (@PennFB) November 5, 2022
2) Pearson Toomey and Fred Norman Jr., OL, Furman
Pearson Toomey and Fred Norman Jr. couldn’t be more different physically. While Toomey is a smooth-moving 6’5″ and 295 pounds, Norman is a hulking 6’6″ and 340 pounds. Nevertheless, the duo kept Furman QBs’ jerseys clean all season and paved rushing lanes on the edges.
Toomey is the more technically sound lineman with the footwork and hand usage that’s ready out of the box, but Norman’s size and power will intrigue coaches.
1) Kardell Thomas, OL, Florida A&M
Kardell Thomas was a name to know in the 2023 transfer portal following three years as a reserve for LSU, and he’s back after dominating the competition for FAMU. The 6’3″ and 310-pound guard is a brick wall in pass protection, anchoring against power and suffocating quicker rushers.
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With one more season of eligibility remaining, Thomas is likely looking for a return to a Power Four program to finish his career.
Honorable Mentions
- Tim Dowd, TE, Harvard
- Luke Popma, OT, Georgetown
- Nick Schwitzgebel, OL, Dartmouth
- Gabriel Thompson, OL, Gardner-Webb
- Ricky Rich, LB, Incarnate Word
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