The transfer portal is in full swing right now, with every team trying to take advantage of the madhouse by pulling talented players to give them a boost going into next season. With all of the talent available, it’s hard to keep track of the best players in the portal with so many names flying in.
Enter CFN’s transfer portal rankings.
Top Punters in the Transfer Portal
5) Alex Bacchetta, Penn State
If you’re a college football team looking for a punter in the transfer portal, you’re likely going to bank on potential rather than experience. Alex Bacchetta hasn’t played for Penn State, but the number one punter in the 2022 recruiting class is a former high school All-American.
He has kicking ability and boasts a strong leg capable of booming a deep ball at a fast pace.
4) Patrick Haughney, Holy Cross
There are several FCS prospects in our transfer portal rankings, with Holy Cross standout Patrick Haugney sure to attract FBS attention. He’s coming off a somewhat down season statistically, but Haughney is one year removed from being an FCS Punter of the Year semifinalist.
He possesses a strong leg, with a 65-yard long punt, and can flip the field with 36.5% of his career punts landing inside the 20.
3) Ethan Duane, Old Dominion
After three seasons at Old Dominion, Ethan Duane enters the transfer portal as one of the best punters Group of Five level. Named the Pro Football Network Sun Belt Punter of the Year in 2022, Duane has a 61-yard long punt on his résumé while averaging over 40 yards for his career.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Furthermore, 27% of his career punts have landed inside the 20. He’ll be a valuable addition.
2) Jack Culbreath, Virginia Military Institute
Coming off an incredible season for VMI, Jack Culbreath will undoubtedly be a sought-after commodity in the transfer portal.
The first-team All-SOCON punter boomed a 76-yard punt in the 2023 college football season, showcasing his alluring leg strength. Far from a one-off, he nailed 14 punts over 50 yards this year. Meanwhile, almost 30% of his punts were unreturned.
1) Tom Ellard, Western Kentucky
Easily the top option in our transfer portal rankings, Tom Ellard departs Western Kentucky having set the standard in CUSA. The mustachioed Melbourne maestro was a CFN 2022 Honorable Mention Freshman All-American and entered the year as the CFN Preseason CUSA Punter of the Year.
A game-changing special teams standout, 39.1% of his 2023 punts were unreturnable, with 36.95% dropping inside the 20. Meanwhile, he’s averaged 41 yards per punt this season due to impressive consistency.