The transfer portal is more important than ever in acquiring talent for top programs. Here are the five that are in best position to make portal moves.
1. Colorado
Call it the Prime Effect. Call it whatever you want. But Deion Sanders and the Buffs are already hitting the portal like mad, and they’re the odds-on favorite to not only have the most players enter (and exit) via the portal but also to have some of the highest impact players, given Sanders’ pull as a recruiter. They’re going to bring in at least two dozen players, if not more.
2. Alabama
Nick Saban hasn’t been shy about using the portal to fill needs, and this season will be no different but he will be more active. With more Tide players looking for new homes than usual, that means more roster spots are also available in Tuscaloosa. Alabama could be looking to add talent at all of the skill positions on offense as well as to help fill holes on the back end of the defense.
3. Georgia
For a team that didn’t bring in any transfers in 2022, the Dawgs are a bit of a curious entry into this category. But at this point, Kirby Smart and his staff are as adept at finding talent as anyone, and there will be plenty of spots for them to fill after what they are hoping to be a second consecutive national title run.
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4. Florida State
Mike Norvell and the Seminoles landed some of the most high-impact edge rushers in the past two cycles, with Jermaine Johnson in 2021 and Jared Verse in 2022. Novell’s willingness to give big roles to transfers early and get the most out of them.
5. USC
The Trojans had one of, if not the best, transfer classes in the country coming into this season, and that paid off with a likely Heisman trophy for Caleb Williams and huge production from guys like Jordan Addison and Travis Dye. But Lincoln Riley needs to work some of his portal magic on the defensive side of the ball if he’s going to get them over the hump and into the CFP.
