1. LSU
The skinny: The Tigers have completely overhauled and strengthened their defense on all three levels through the portal. Just a few who should help immediately include linebacker Omar Speights (Oregon State), defensive back Duce Chestnut (Syracuse), defensive back Denver Harris (Texas A&M) and defensive end Bradyn Swinson (Oregon).
2. Ole Miss
The skinny: Just as last year, the Rebels have been one of the busiest and most successful schools in the portal. Wide receiver Tre Harris (Louisiana Tech) will give the offense a spark, quarterbacks Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU) add talent and depth to the position and linebacker Monty Montgomery (Louisville) and defensive back DeShawn Gaddie (North Texas) are defensive playmakers.
3. Florida State
The skinny: Both sides of the ball received a significant boost through the portal. Offensively, tight end Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and lineman Jeremiah Byers (UTEP) will make an instant impact, while defensively, defensive back Fentrell Cypress (Virginia) and defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. (Miami-Florida) and Braden Fiske (Western Michigan) have the potential to be stars in Tallahassee.
4. Wisconsin
The skinny: The Badgers have done an impressive job revamping their roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Several key Cincinnati transfers followed coach Luke Fickell to Madison, but outside help is also coming from wide receivers CJ Williams (USC) and Bryson Green (Oklahoma State) and a trio of quarterbacks: Tanner Mordecai (SMU), Nick Evers (Oklahoma) and Braedyn Locke (Mississippi State)
5. UCLA
The skinny: The offense was especially boosted through the portal with the additions of wide receivers J. Michael Sturdivant (Cal) and Kyle Ford (USC), powerful running back Carson Steele (Ball State), tight end Moliki Matavao (Oregon) and offensive lineman Spencer Holstege (Purdue).
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6. Colorado
The skinny: As expected, the Buffs and Coach Prime have been busy since his arrival in Boulder. Aside from adding a majority of his top Jackson State players, tight end Seydou Traore (Arkansas State), defensive linemen Jordan Domineck (Arkansas) and Taylor Upshaw (Michigan), running back Kavosiey Smoke (Kentucky) and wide receiver Jimmy Horn (USF) were all key gets.
7. USC
The skinny: Similar to Ole Miss, the Trojans followed up their 2021/2022 portal success by being equally aggressive during this cycle. Quarterback Caleb Williams throwing to new wide receiver Dorian Singer (Arizona) will be a lethal combination next season, while running back MarShawn Lloyd (South Carolina) adds another big weapon to the offense. The defense needed help, and got with the additions of linebacker Mason Cobb (Oklahoma State), defensive end Jack Sullivan (Purdue) and defensive tackle Kyon Barrs (Arizona).
8. Auburn
The skinny: While the Tigers started off rather quietly, they have pieced together a group which should help the team immensely in 2023. Offensively, lineman Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky) and running back Brian Battie (USF) should both prosper in the SEC, while defensively, defensive tackle Justin Rogers (Kentucky), and linebackers Austin Keys (Ole Miss) and DeMario Tolan (LSU) already have SEC experience and talent.
9. Michigan
The skinny: As expected, the Wolverines did not bring in a huge group, but the quality is impressive. Defensive end Josaiah Stewart (Coastal Carolina) is an elite pass rusher, linebacker Ernest Hausmann (Nebraska) was one of the top true freshmen at his position in 2022 and the Stanford offensive lineman duo of Drake Nugent and Myles Hinton will quickly stabilize and strengthen the line.
10. Arizona State
The skinny: With the arrival of new head coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils have been one of the more aggressive teams in the portal over the last six weeks. Plenty of the additions have the potential to make an immediate impact, but a few to watch include linebacker Clayton Smith (Oklahoma), quarterback Drew Pyne (Notre Dame), wide receiver Melquan Stovall (Colorado State), offensive lineman Bram Walden (Oregon) and FCS running back Cameron Skattebo (Sacramento State)
