College football transfer portal's 10 highest-rated Group of Five signees in 2024 (2024)

Overall transfer ranking: No. 74

Korey Foreman, a former five-star signee, never ascended to the USC starting lineup during his three years on campus and struggled to tap into his immense potential, making just 25 tackles and logging 2.5 sacks across 355 snaps. His biggest highlight came in 2022 when he intercepted ex-UCLA quarterbackDorian Thompson-Robinsonin the final minutes of the programs' rivalry game to seal a 48-45 victory over the Bruins.Miami was the only other program withreported ties to the defensive lineman, who played sparingly during his time with the Trojans.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 93

Jack Kelly was BYU'sfirst transfer addition. It's an important one, noted Cougar Sports Insider. BYU gets a player who can rush the passer,fit gaps in the run game and has at least a prerequisite level of knowledge of the defensive scheme. He should be expected to contribute right away at BYU after notching56 tackles, one interception, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 10.5 sacks at Weber State.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 103

After he played in just one game as a Trojan true freshman, Malachi Nelson preserved his redshirt and carries four years of eligibility with him to his destination program in Boise, Idaho. He completed 1-of-3 passes in USC's Week 0victory over San Jose State and served as the team's third-string option behind Caleb Williams andMiller Mossthe rest of the season.The Los Alamitos, Calif. native originally committed to Oklahoma as the No. 13 overall recruit and No. 5 quarterback in the 2023 class, but he flipped his pledge to the Trojans when Riley took the head coaching job in Los Angeles.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 160

USCFootball.com's Chris Trevinonoted prior to Williams signing with Tulane that thisis the wideout's second time in the portal, after joining USC last offseasonafter spending his freshman season at Oklahoma following head coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams. He was the No. 9 recruit and No. 2 receiver in the 2022 transfer cycle. The former Top 50 prospect was an impact player in 2022, third on the team with 40 receptions for 631 yards and five scores, all career highs, in 12 games with nine starts. Williams was poised for a huge junior season, but he took a step back in 2023 as he struggled with consistency throughout the year. A part-time starter, he finished with 29 receptions for 305 yards and two scores in 12 games, fourth on the team.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 167

The former Texas A&M Aggie arrived in Baton Rouge was poised to be a big piece to LSU's secondary puzzle. One of the biggest needs was thought to be addressed when Denver Harris arrived to campus.While the former Aggie was involved in some of the field issues while in College Station, Brian Kelly and the Tigers' staff felt that they had vetted Harris properly before taking his commitment out of the portal.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 193

One of multiple players who left JMU this spring following coach Curt Cignetti's departure to Indiana for the Hoosiers' vacancy, Jordan McCloud wound up at Texas State where he likely starts. McCloudplayed a big part in leading JMU to an 11-1 record while throwing for 3,400 yards with 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions and completing 68.9 percent of his passes. McCloud also ran for 311 yards and eight touchdowns this season. McCloud was one of four quarterbacks to pass for at least 3,400 yards and run for at least 300 yards, along with North Carolina's Drake Maye, Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel and LSU's Jayden Daniels.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 209

MarioAnderson rushed for 707 yards and three touchdowns during his only season with the Gameco*cks last fall. Anderson, who began his college career at Newberry, enrolled at South Carolina last January. For the Gameco*cks, Anderson had 143 carries for 707 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 153 yards and a score. Memphis is one of the handful of Group of Five programs considered to be in the mix for a playoff berth in 2024, along with Liberty, Boise State, Tulane and USF.

Overall transfer ranking: No. 246

Kisean Johnson initially committed to Vanderbilt, but ended up at WKU and should be one of the Hilltoppers' go-to wideouts. Johnson posted 61 catches for 829 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games last season and finished with at least 90 yards in six of those 10 games. Johnson also received Power Conference offers from Boston College and Texas Tech.

"He might be an NFL wide receiver," a Power Conference source told 247Sports in December. "He's nice. He's legit 6-foot and 210 pounds and can run. It would not shock if he goes to the right situation if he gets drafted."

Overall transfer ranking: No. 249

There were not many quality offensive linemen still on the market in January, but former Grambling star Ashanti Cole was considered one of them. At 6-4, 300 pounds, he was a dominant player at his level last season and is a Louisiana native. According to his bio, Cole chose Grambling over Central Arkansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Northwestern State, South Alabama, Southern, Texas Southern and Southern Miss. Ironically, Louisiana Tech was not in the initial mix for his services.

Overall transfer ranking: No.266

Tate Rodemaker, Florida State's backup quarterback last season who was the emergency starter for the Seminoles following a devastating injury to Jordan Travis in November, will be in the Group of Five ranks.

"This decision to enter the portal was incredibly difficult,"a source close toRodemaker's family told 247Sports in December. "However, with the unforgiving nature of the calendar relative to transfer portal players and bowl games and limited opportunities remaining for transfer quarterbacks, the family felt this move was in Tate's best interest. Florida State has quite publicly recruited multiple quarterbacks in this transfer cycle, so Tate and his family reluctantly came to the decision that now was the time to move on."