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Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff Writer
College football’s spring transfer window wasn’t as busy as the winter period, but there were some big-name transfers switching programs.
Defensive lineman Bear Alexander transferred from two-time defending national champion Georgia to USC. Cornerback Storm Duck entered the portal for the second time in nine months, first transferring from North Carolina to Penn State but ultimately committing to Louisville.
And while there has been a mass exodus at Colorado, Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes brought in Florida State defensive end Derrick McLendon II. The portal closed for new entrants on Sunday, though not every big name has made a decision on their new destination. There are still plenty of productive players looking for new homes.
Here are 10 of the best available players in the transfer portal and what teams would make sense as their next destination.
coverage:
Answering the biggest portal questions
Transfer takeaways and trends to watch
Ranking the top 10 transfer classes
Winter portal winners and losers
Transferring from: James Madison
HT: 6-3 | WT: 260 | Class: Senior
Background: Ukwu has become a very highly sought-after transfer and is at a premium position. He has proven he can provide a team with production and bring a pass rush element, as he has tallied 27 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
Best fit: Auburn. Ukwu recently visited the Tigers at the end of April and is planning other visits, including one at Ole Miss. He holds offers from Colorado, Missouri and California, among others, but Auburn is a team looking for help up front.
Transferring from: Houston
HT: 6-4 | WT: 305 | Class: Sophomore
Background: Johnson is one of the best offensive line transfers still available and was a starter at left guard for Houston this past season. He did not surrender a sack and allowed just one pressure in 554 pass-blocking plays in 2022.
Best fit: Colorado. USC and Missouri are in the mix as well, but the Trojans have added a few pieces along the offensive line already and Colorado needs as much help as it can get up front. He would be a good fit for either of the three programs, but Colorado has been active in the portal, especially given how much the Buffaloes need to replenish the roster.
Transferring from: TCU
HT: 6-1 | WT: 190 | Class: Freshman
Background: Hudson was the No. 58 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class and, at the time, was a big win for the TCU program. Out of high school, he committed to Oklahoma, then decommitted, picked SMU and decommitted again before signing with TCU. He played sparingly in TCU’s College Football Playoff season, totaling 14 catches for 174 yards and three touchdowns.
Best fit: SMU. The Mustangs seem as though they could be the landing spot for Hudson with Auburn and a few other schools trying to get him. He committed to SMU out of high school, albeit with a different coaching regime. He would be a great fit for an offense that led the American Athletic Conference in passing yards per game in 2022.
Transferring from: Nebraska
HT: 6-0 | WT: 195 | Class: Junior
Background: Thompson transferred from Texas to Nebraska last year and, despite injuries, was the Huskers’ starter this past season. He threw for 2,407 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his lone season for Nebraska. New coach Matt Rhule brought in Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims and Thompson is now on the way out.
Best fit: Auburn. There are plenty of schools still looking for experienced quarterbacks, but Auburn seems like a good landing spot for Thompson. He would fit well within Hugh Freeze’s system and bring more competition and depth to the position. Auburn finished last in the SEC in passing in 2022.
Transferring from: Michigan State
HT: 6-2 | WT: 210 | Class: Redshirt senior
Background: Thorne was a surprise transfer portal entry, putting his name in on the last day of the window. He had been the Spartans starter the past two seasons and was in a battle with Noah Kim for the starting job in 2023. Thorne quarterbacked the Spartans to an 11-2 season in 2021 but struggled in 2022, as he threw for 2,679 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in a 5-7 season.
Best fit: Auburn. Similar to Thompson, Auburn could be a landing spot as well, as the Tigers are looking to fill the quarterback room with transfers. Oklahoma State could be another program looking to add to the position after losing Spencer Sanders to Ole Miss, as well. If Florida wants another quarterback, the Gators could use more depth at the position, even after adding Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and Ohio State‘s Jack Miller III during the winter window.
Transferring from: Michigan State
HT: 6-4 | WT: 215 | Class: Junior
Background: Coleman was another surprise transfer from Michigan State, entering the portal on the last day of the spring transfer window. He was the Spartans’ leading receiver in 2022 with 798 yards and seven touchdowns. He has size and experience and will likely have a few options.
Best fit: Clemson or LSU. Clemson is a school that could use some receiving help, and Coleman would be a good fit for Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense. It would also make sense for LSU to gauge interest with second-leading receiver Kayshon Boutte off to the NFL. If Florida pursues Thorne, it makes sense for the Gators to go after Coleman as well.
Transferring from: UTSA
HT: 6-1 | WT: 185 | Class: Senior
Background: Franklin was a first-team all-conference player in 2021, setting school single-season records, and improved on those numbers in 2022. This past season, he had 1,136 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and is now one of the top receivers available in the transfer market.
Best fit: Oregon. If Oregon is looking to add another receiver, offensive coordinator Will Stein would likely know what the Ducks would get out of Franklin. Stein spent three seasons at UTSA coaching Franklin and had a lot of success together.
Transferring from: Colorado
HT: 6-2 | WT: 185 | Class: Sophomore
Background: Tyson is just a sophomore and led Colorado in receiving yards (470) and touchdowns (four) this past season. But instead of being a playmaker in Deion Sanders’ new-look offense, Tyson entered the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
Best fit: Oklahoma. He recently visited Oklahoma, as the Sooners are looking to add playmakers to the offense. Oklahoma would make a lot of sense for Tyson with quarterback Dillon Gabriel returning and a few new pieces at receiver. He’d have an opportunity to contribute right away and in a high-powered offense.
Transferring from: Houston
HT: 6-1 | WT: 215 | Class: Sophomore
Background: McCaskill was another surprise transfer, as it seemed he would be a big contributor at running back for Houston this season. After rushing for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021, he missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL. Now he is healthy and looking for a new home.
Best fit: Colorado. Colorado has been linked to McCaskill and it would make sense for Sanders to add talent at the position. The Buffaloes have a new quarterback in Shedeur Sanders, new receivers and they could use a balanced back such as McCaskill.
Transferring from: USC
HT: 5-11 | WT: 180 | Class: Junior
Background: Bryant had 579 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during the 2021 season, but saw his production dip in 2022 when transfers Jordan Addison, Mario Williams and Brenden Rice entered the program.
Best fit: Oregon. Oregon is a program that has showed interest in Bryant, who is announcing a commitment on May 13. Oregon’s wide receivers ranked 54th among all 131 FBS teams in receiving yards. The Ducks seem to have a good shot at landing him, but are in competition with Texas A&M, Arizona, Miami and UCLA.