Offensive Transfers That Could Have the Biggest Impact in 2024

Offensive Transfers That Could Have the Biggest Impact in 20240 of 5

Isaiah BondRyan Kang/Getty Images

When a top transfer announces his commitment, visions of first-year dominance run through the minds of college football fans.

Understandably, quarterbacks are usually the high-profile additions. It’s the most influential position on the field, and every season only brings more evidence of the value a transfer can provide.

Look at the 2023 season, for example. LSU’s Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy, while Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix and Florida State’s Jordan Travis finished second, third and fifth, respectively. Each one started their college career somewhere else.

Many other transfers—such as Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell or Washington running back Dillon Johnson—heavily impacted teams that reached the College Football Playoff, too.

As hundreds of offensive players head to new schools for the 2024 season, we’re picking out a few dozen to watch closely.

Quarterbacks1 of 5

Cameron WardSteph Chambers/Getty Images

So, so many quarterbacks.

Among expected top contenders, several teams are expected to lean on a transfer signal-caller in 2024.

Oregon brought in Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma, while Ohio State landed longtime Kansas State starter Will Howard. Florida State picked up DJ Uiagalelei, formerly of Clemson and recently Oregon State. Notre Dame plucked Riley Leonard out of Duke.

The list, as you can imagine, is very extensive.

Washington is expected to start Mississippi State departure Will Rogers. Miami’s new QB is Washington State transfer Cam Ward after Tyler Van Dyke bolted for Wisconsin. North Carolina State picked up Grayson McCall, a four-year starter from Coastal Carolina.

Also, the ACC raided the Lone Star State. Duke pulled in Maalik Murphy from Texas, Louisville added Texas Tech’s Tyler Shough and North Carolina snagged Texas A&M’s Max Johnson.

Within the Group of Five, key players to know are Boise State’s Malachi Nelson (from USC), Texas State’s Jayden de Laura (Arizona) and Tulane’s Ty Thompson (Oregon).

Running Backs2 of 5

Quinshon JudkinsJustin Ford/Getty Images

The superstar of the group is Quinshon Judkins, who surpassed 3,000 scrimmage yards in two seasons at Ole Miss. His impact may be capped at Ohio State, because Tre’Veyon Henderson elected to return. Good problem for the Buckeyes, at least.

Florida transfer Trevor Etienne, on the other hand, can immediately be the featured back for preseason title favorite Georgia.

Missouri needs to replace star runner Cody Schrader and added Georgia State standout Marcus Carroll. To fill Judkins’ void, Ole Miss could turn to LSU departure Logan Diggs.

An under-the-radar player is Sam Franklin, a second-team AP FCS All-America pick who left UT Martin for Oklahoma. Anthony Woods, another prolific FCS transfer, is moving from Idaho to Utah.

Wide Receivers3 of 5

Evan StewartLogan Riely/Getty Images

Alabama would not have reached the College Football Playoff without a fourth-down miracle from Isaiah Bond at Auburn. Next season, however, he’ll be suiting up for Texas.

Bond is the headliner, but Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart isn’t far behind; he’s joining the productive Oregon offense.

Plenty of SEC schools made a splash. Ole Miss pulled Antwane Wells (from South Carolina), LSU added CJ Daniels (Liberty) and Georgia bolstered the receiving corps with Colbie Young (Miami) and London Humphreys (Vanderbilt). Oklahoma snagged Purdue’s leading target Deion Burks, and Tennessee did the same with Tulane’s Chris Brazzell.

Along with Daniels and Brazzell, G5 standouts making the P5 jump are Louisville’s Caullin Lacy (from South Alabama), Notre Dame’s Kris Mitchell (Florida International), Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (James Madison) and TCU’s Eric McAlister (Boise State).

One final favorite of mine? Mario Williams, previously of Oklahoma and USC, heading to Tulane.

Tight Ends4 of 5

Jack VellingLogan Hannigan-Downs/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas capitalized on Steve Sarkisian’s connection to Alabama at both wideout and tight end. In addition to Bond, the Longhorns reeled in Amari Niblack after he finished third on the Tide in receiving yards.

Jack Velling, who caught an Oregon State-best eight touchdowns, followed coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State.

Tennessee is aiming to unlock Holden Staes, a 2022 blue-chip prospect who nabbed 15 passes with four scores for Notre Dame last season. Same goes for Texas A&M transfer Jake Johnson at North Carolina and Arizona State departure Jalin Conyers with Texas Tech.

FCS All-American Cole Rusk is moving up from Murray State to Illinois, and Brady Hunt—who missed the 2023 season because of injuries after a breakout freshman year with Ball State—is a high-upside addition for South Carolina. Justin Joly, UConn’s top pass-catcher, is now at NC State.

Keep an eye on Miami transfer Jaleel Skinner at Louisville because of Jeff Brohm’s proven ability to scheme for a talented tight end, too.

Offensive Linemen5 of 5

Kadyn ProctorJordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As part of the Alabama exodus, left tackle Kadyn Proctor returned to home-state Iowa. He’d been committed to the Hawkeyes for much of the 2023 recruiting cycle but flipped to the Tide at the last minute. Bama center Seth McLaughlin bolted for Ohio State, but new coach Kalen DeBoer brought along Washington snapper Parker Brailsford.

No better time for a rapid-fire group.

Washington left guard Nate Kalepo went to Ole Miss. Oklahoma lost guards Cayden Green to Missouri and Savion Byrd to SMU. Northwestern guard Josh Priebe is now an expected starter for Michigan, and Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter should slot in as Miami’s center.

Rising lower-level standouts are Michigan State’s Luke Newman (an FCS All-American from Holy Cross), Baylor’s Omar Aigbedion (Montana State) and Kansas State’s Easton Kilty (North Dakota).

All-Mountain West blockers J.C. Davis (New Mexico) and Cade Bennett (San Diego State) left for Illinois and TCU, respectively.