The transfer portal is a never-ending experience for college football, especially with recent coaching changes setting the tone for players moving on to other teams. With over 1,000 players in the transfer portal, the cornerback position has seen a continuous number of top players joining. Here’s a look at the transfer portal rankings for the Top 10 cornerbacks.
Top Transfer Portal Cornerbacks for 2024
10) Corey Thornton, Louisville
While he may not have set career highs across the board in the 2023 college football season, Corey Thornton excelled in coverage for the UCF Knights last year. Thornton did, however, put up career bests for pass deflections (nine) and interceptions (three).
Each year, Thornton has improved significantly in coverage. The Louisville Cardinals have been adding a lot of offensive players in the transfer portal, with Thornton comfortably one of the better defenders to join the program this portal cycle.
9) Kobe Singleton, Oregon State
Kobe Singleton lit it up for the Liberty Flames over the last two seasons, recording 30 tackles, 12 pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown in 2023. His performance earned him first-team All-Conference USA honors.
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The shutdown corner heads to the Oregon State Beavers as they transition to a new era of the Pac-2 and Mountain West. With multiple players leaving following the departure of former head coach Jonathan Smith, Singleton should be able to step in as one of their starting corners.
8) Rod Heard II, Notre Dame
Former Northwestern Wildcats cornerback Rod Heard IIperformed well the last two seasons. Heard recorded 85 tackles, four tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and one interception to earn an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2023.
After playing nickel for the Wildcats, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be looking for him to fill their safety position for 2024. He showed aggressive play with a high football IQ, which makes him a good candidate to earn the starting spot next season.
7) Tahveon Nicholson, Ole Miss
Tahveon Nicholson has spent the last three seasons with the Illinois Fighting Illini as the program’s top corner. Last season, Nicholson racked up 36 tackles, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. The standout CB has been named an Academic All-Big Ten selection two times, demonstrating the intelligence that is obvious throughout his football tape.
The Ole Miss Rebels have focused on reloading their defense through the transfer portal. Nicholson should see playing time and could land a potential starting role with his quick footwork and strength in man coverage.
6) Toriano Pride, Missouri
The Missouri Tigers’ first addition from the transfer portal was cornerback Toriano Pride. Over the last two seasons, the former Clemson Tigers has recorded 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, nine pass deflections, and one interception in 26 games.
Pride was considered one of the top defensive backs to join the transfer portal. Now, the former East St. Louis High School playmaker returns home where an increase in playing time should be in the works, as he is projected to be one of their top two corners.
5) Tyreek Chappell, Undecided
With the coaching changes to the Texas A&M Aggies, including Mike Elko being named head coach and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson leaving the program, Tyreek Chappell was among the many players who entered the transfer portal.
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Chappell has recorded 106 tackles, 23 pass deflections, and two interceptions in three seasons. Although the former Aggie has yet to commit to his new home at the time of writing, he was scheduled to visit three schools in the middle of last month, including the Syracuse Orange.
4) Jalen Huskey, Maryland
Jalen Huskey dominated at cornerback with the Bowling Green Falcons in 2023. Huskey finished the season with 52 tackles and four interceptions, in a remarkable uptick in production. In 2022, he recorded seven tackles in nine games throughout the season.
Huskey was a shutdown corner for the Falcons and will look to showcase his talents at the Power Five level following his commitment to the Maryland Terrapins. Three cornerbacks have exited the Terps this offseason, leaving the door open for the former Falcon to earn playing time for his new team.
3) Preston Hodge, Colorado
Preston Hodge lands with Coach Prime at the Colorado Buffaloes after a successful campaign with the Liberty Flames. Hodge played multiple positions with Liberty, including cornerback, safety, and star. Making 25 career appearances with 10 starts, he put up 48 tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections during his time in Lynchburg.
Hodge’s coverage ability was fully displayed for a Flames defense that led the nation in interceptions. The Buffaloes get reinforcements to help Travis Hunter and a defense that ranked 127th in the nation after allowing 276.9 passing yards per game during the 2023 college football season.
2) Kam Alexander, Oregon
After four seasons with the Sam Houston Bearkats, Kam Alexander transferred to the UTSA Roadrunners and had a career year in San Antonio. Alexander roughed up offenses with 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, 17 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 13 games.
Arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the transfer portal, Alexander was much sought-after, with the Oregon Ducks landing a premier player at a position of need. He may not always create turnovers, but Alexander is a true shutdown corner who will help the Ducks perform in the Big Ten next season.
1) Jabbar Muhammad, Undecided
Playing at the highest level, Jabbar Muhammad was not only one of the best corners in the late Pac-12 but also in the country, and he tops our transfer portal rankings. Muhammad recorded 48 tackles, a career-high 14 pass deflections, with a career-best three interceptions. He added two sacks playing in all 15 games during the year.
While Muhammad has yet to choose his next destination, there are plenty of interested schools around the country. The Texas Longhorns have gotten some attention as a potential landing spot. Oregon is another school that could land the most sought-after cornerback in the nation.
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!