As the 2024 college football season winds down, with most teams shifting into bowl and playoff mode, one area is just heating up—the college football transfer portal.
The official transfer window opened on Monday, Dec. 9, and will close on Dec. 28. The portal has become an essential tool for reshaping rosters, with coaches relying on both incoming transfers and recruiting classes to stay competitive. Let’s explore the top players in the 2025 transfer portal and their potential to make immediate impacts at their next destinations.
Top Players in the 2025 College Football Transfer Portal
1. John Mateer, QB, Washington State
Stats: 3,139 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 7 interceptions (2024 season).
Analysis: A proven and talented quarterback with extensive experience, Mateer is a highly sought-after player.
Prediction: Likely to have his pick of top programs. The Texas native may opt to return closer to home.
2. Luke Kromenhoek, QB, Florida State
Stats: 502 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 113 rushing yards.
Analysis: A former 4-star recruit with potential, despite Florida State’s challenging 2-10 season.
Prediction: Mississippi State is considered a favorite for Kromenhoek.
3. Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Georgia Tech
Stats: 1,468 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns over two seasons.
Analysis: A dynamic receiver with a knack for big plays, Singleton has taken a visit to Ole Miss, where he’s expected to land.
4. Zachariah Branch, WR, USC
Stats: 78 receptions, 823 yards, 3 touchdowns; 2 special teams touchdowns.
Analysis: A versatile playmaker, Branch’s skills as a receiver and returner make him one of the hottest names in the portal.
Prediction: Powerhouse programs nationwide will pursue him, with a possibility of staying on the West Coast.
5. Duce Robinson, WR, USC
Stats: 39 receptions, 747 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Analysis: A former No. 1 tight end recruit, Robinson is a game-changer in the passing game.
Prediction: Expect offers from top schools like Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame.
6. Princewill Umanmielen, EDGE, Nebraska
Stats: 35 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks.
Analysis: With strong defensive skills, Umanmielen is projected to follow his brother to Ole Miss.
7. Patrick Payton, DL, Florida State
Stats: 109 tackles, 16 sacks, 3 forced fumbles over three seasons.
Analysis: A consistent force on the defensive line, Payton is a prized addition for any SEC program.
8. Dane Key, WR, Kentucky
Stats: 47 receptions, 715 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Analysis: The Kentucky native has the talent to excel at a bigger SEC school. Louisville is reportedly on his radar.
9. Nic Anderson, WR, Oklahoma
Stats (2023): 38 catches, 798 yards, 10 touchdowns.
Analysis: A skilled wideout recovering from a 2024 injury, Anderson could target schools like USC, Oregon, or Texas.
10. Hunter Zambrano, IOL, Illinois State
Stats: 23 starts from 2021-2023.
Analysis: Despite a season-ending injury, Zambrano has committed to Texas Tech, bringing experience to their O-line.
11. KC Concepcion, WR, NC State
Stats: 460 yards, 6 touchdowns (2024 season).
Analysis: A breakout freshman in 2023, Concepcion is now on Alabama and Texas A&M’s radar.
12Fernando Mendoza, QB, Cal
Stats: 4,712 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 16 interceptions over two seasons.
Analysis: With Miami roots, Mendoza could be a natural fit for the Hurricanes, who are seeking QB depth.
13. Maalik Murphy, QB, Duke
Stats (2024): 2,933 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions.
Analysis: A record-setting season at Duke makes Murphy an appealing option for USC, UCLA, or other top programs.
14. Patrick Kutas, IOL, Arkansas
Stats: 13 starts over two seasons.
Analysis: Known for his physicality, Kutas is heavily linked to Ole Miss.
15. Jaheim Oatis, DL, Alabama
Stats: 55 tackles, 16 for loss over two seasons.
Analysis: After battling injuries, Oatis has committed to Colorado, marking a significant win for Coach Deion Sanders.
16. Micah Hudson, WR, Texas Tech
Stats: 8 receptions, 123 yards (2024 season).
Analysis: A 5-star recruit who saw limited action this year, Hudson remains a high-upside prospect.
17. Williams Nwaneri (EDGE, Missouri)
Profile: A former 5-star recruit and the No. 1 defensive lineman in the class of 2024, Nwaneri’s raw talent is undeniable. Despite limited action this season (2 games, 2 tackles, 1 sack), his potential remains sky-high.
Projection: Nwaneri is expected to have a plethora of options, with early predictions pointing toward Nebraska.
18. Barion Brown (WR, Kentucky)
Stats: Over three seasons, Brown accumulated 1,528 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 12.5 yards per catch.
Landing Spot: Brown recently announced his verbal commitment to LSU, where he’s poised to add firepower to their offense.
19. Bear Alexander (DL, USC)
Journey: After winning a national title with Georgia in 2022, Alexander transferred to USC for the 2023 season, where he recorded 48 tackles and 1.5 sacks. This season, he redshirted after three games to explore new opportunities.
Projection: Alexander has drawn interest from Oregon, Penn State, and SMU
20. Conner Weigman (QB, Texas A&M)
Stats: A former 5-star recruit, Weigman has thrown for 2,694 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions across three seasons, despite dealing with injuries.
Landing Spot: Weigman has committed to Houston, bringing a wealth of experience and potential to their quarterback room.
Transfer Portal Rankings by Position for 2025
Quarterbacks:
John Mateer (Washington State)
Luke Kromenhoek (Florida State)
Fernando Mendoza (Cal)
Conner Weigman (Texas A&M to Houston)
Maalik Murphy (Duke)
Miller Moss (USC)
Wide Receivers:
Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech)
Zachariah Branch (USC)
Duce Robinson (USC)
Dane Key (Kentucky)
KC Concepcion (NC State)
Running Backs:
Wayshawn Parker (Washington State)
Ahmad Jeanty (ULM)
Fluff Bothwell (South Alabama)
Malachai Hosley (Pennsylvania)
Quinten Joyner (USC)
Tight Ends:
Max Klare (Purdue)
Luke Hasz (Arkansas)
Tanner Koziol (Ball State)
Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma)
Colin Weber (Charlotte)
Offensive Tackles:
Corey Robinson II (Georgia Tech)
Carver Willis (Kansas State)
Ethan Onianwa (Rice)
Derek Simmons (Western Carolina)
Gunnar Hansen (Vanderbilt)
Interior Offensive Linemen:
Hunter Zambrano (Illinois State)
Patrick Kutas (Arkansas)
Jordan White (Liberty)
Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech)
Josh Thompson (Northwestern)
Defensive Linemen:
Jaheim Oats (Alabama to Colorado)
Patrick Payton (Florida State)
Bear Alexander (USC)
Keeshawn Silver (Kentucky)
Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M)
EDGE Rushers:
Princewill Umanmielen (Nebraska)
Amaris Williams (Auburn)
Williams Nwaneri (Missouri)
James Williams (Nebraska)
Kameron Olds (Kent State)
Defensive Backs:
Julian Humphrey (Georgia)
Dillon Thieneman (Purdue)
Brice Pollock (Mississippi State)
Zechariah Poyser (Jacksonville State)
Ja’Leem Jackson (Florida)
Linebackers:
Amare Campbell (North Carolina)
Bangally Kamara (South Carolina, transferred to Kansas)
Josiah Trotter (West Virginia)
Byrun Parham (Washington)
Andrew Jones (Grambling State)
The 2025 transfer portal isn’t just reshaping rosters—it’s revolutionizing the college football landscape. With so much talent on the move, fans and coaches alike are watching closely to see which teams emerge stronger for the upcoming season.
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