The college football transfer portal is still buzzing with activity even after the official closing of the winter window. While some players are still able to enter as the postseason winds down, there is no deadline for commitments, and numerous difference-makers have made moves in the past month. Only a few top-100 transfers are still available, with a new No. 1 emerging on the list this week.
A record-setting winter window witnessed more than 2,600 FBS players enter — a number that continues to grow with late entries. Just because the transfer portal is closed does not mean movement will slow down any time soon. An additional spring window is set for 10 days, opening April 16 and closing April 25, which expects to spark another wave of transfers.
So, who are the best available transfer portal players right now and which teams are in the mix for their talents?
Below is a closer look at the 12 best available players in the transfer portal as of Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 8:50 a.m. ET:
1. Damon Wilson II, Edge (Georgia)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 4-star (95)
There is a new No. 1 best available transfer prospect this cycle with Georgia edge rusher Damon Wilson II being a late entry after the official closing of the winter window. The former top-50 recruit played in a total of 25 games for the Bulldogs the past two seasons, making starts in the SEC opener against Kentucky and against Mississippi State in 2024. The lengthy 6-foot-4, 250-pound pass rusher registered 20 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. There is already an early team to watch for Wilson after he officially entered the transfer portal Tuesday.
2. Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL (USC)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 4-star (93)
USC starting offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon was a late transfer portal entry after the deadline — a shocking move for a likely 2025 NFL Draft prospect. The veteran guard earned Second Team All-Big Ten selection this season as the best offensive lineman for the Trojans. He played 882 offensive snaps — most of any USC lineman — making 13 starts. Pregnon allowed zero sacks at left guard, giving up just 14 total quarterback pressures.
3. Elijah Pritchett, OT (Alabama)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 4-star (92)
Former five-star recruit and starting Alabama right tackle Elijah Pritchett entered the transfer portal after the 2024 season. The 6-foot-6, 327-pound Georgia native started 12 of 13 games for the Crimson Tide this season, but struggled throughout his redshirt sophomore campaign, allowing a team-worst 31 pressures and six sacks. Pritchett still has two years of eligibility remaining to develop. Nebraska hosted the four-star transfer offensive lineman Tuesday, while an SEC program is also in pursuit, per Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz.
4. Mi’Quise Grace, Edge (South Dakota)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 4-star (90)
A source told 247Sports in late December that «it’s a madhouse» when asked how many power conference programs had reached out to Mi’Quise Grace since the South Dakota star edge rusher entered the portal. One of the top players in the FCS this season, Grace earned Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, registering 64 total tackles, 18.5 for loss and 9.5 sacks to go along with a pair of forced fumbles. He has taken taken several notable visits in recent days, according to Chris Hummer.
5. Thaddeus Dixon, CB (Washington)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 4-star (90)
Former Washington standout Thaddeus Dixon, the top available cornerback in the transfer portal at this time, provides multiple years of experience with 27 games played and 12 starts in the past two seasons at Washington. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound veteran defensive back spent two seasons at Long Beach City College in Southern California before joining the Huskies. Dixon has 69 total tackles, including three for loss with two interceptions and 16 additional pass breakups in his FBS career.
6. Conner Moore, OT (Montana State)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 4-star (90)
Soon after a runner-up finish in the FCS title game, Montana State standout offensive tackle Conner Moore entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound redshirt sophomore earned First Team All-Big Sky honors after starting in all 16 games for the Bobcats. Moore primarily played left tackle, but also has experience at guard. He earned Freshman All-America honors in 2023. A native of Ohio, Moore has two years of eligibility remaining.
7. Rahtrel Perry, OT (Central Connecticut State)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 3-star (89)
Former Central Connecticut State offensive tackle Rahtrel Perry hopes to be the next outstanding lineman that makes a successful jump to a power conference program in 2025. The upside is immense for the 6-foot-7, 323-pound FCS product that hails from New York. Those in the mix for Perry include Florida State, Maryland, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.
8. Marcellus Barnes Jr., CB (Syracuse)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 3-star (89)
Marcellus Barnes Jr. saw action as a true freshman for Syracuse in 2024, making an impact in five games, registering 10 total tackles to go along with three pass breakups. He primarily played special teams, but made two starts at cornerback. The former three-star prospect from Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie signed with the Orange and was an All-American Bowl participant. Barnes is down to Kentucky and SMU with plans to announce a final decision Sunday, according to Chris Hummer.
9. Kaedin Robinson, WR (Appalachian State)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 3-star (89)
Kaedin Robinson was among the top receivers in yards per game this season in all of college football this season, hauling in 93.3 yards a contest. The veteran from Appalachian State played just nine games, but finished with 840 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. Robinson earned First Team All-Sun Belt in 2024. Robinson has received numerous power conference offers since entering the portal with Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky and UCLA among those in the mix.
10. Holden Staes, TE (Tennessee)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 3-star (89)
Holden Staes rated as a four-star prospect coming out of Atlanta (Ga.) Westminster in the 2022 recruiting class before enrolling at Notre Dame. After two years with the Fighting Irish, the tight end transferred to Tennessee where he played in all 13 games for the Volunteers in 2024, catching 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Staes entered the transfer portal again after the first-round exit in the College Football Playoff. He visited Louisville and another ACC contender is in the mix as well.
11. Matthew Sluka, QB (UNLV)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 3-star (88)
UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka created drama in September after he left the Rebels and announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal over unfulfilled «certain representations» that were made to him upon transferring from Holy Cross last offseason. In three games, Sluka completed 43.8% of his passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns with an interception. He also rushed for 253 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries. During his time at FCS Holy Cross, Sluka threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 59 touchdowns while rushing for 3,579 yards and 38 touchdowns.
12. Jalen Stroman, S (Virginia Tech)
247Sports transfer portal rating: 3-star (88)
Virginia Tech safety Jalen Stroman entered the transfer portal shortly after the winter window opened back in early December. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back had his 2024 campaign cut short due to injury, but played in a total of 36 games the prior three seasons for the Hokies. Stroman made 111 total tackles, including two for loss, while forcing two fumbles and registering four pass breakups during his time at Virginia Tech.