College Football's Best Players in Transfer Portal
College football's transfer portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 5 and several big-time players have already or are expected to be on the move in time for the 2023 season. Quarterback Sam Huard will be targeted by teams looking to jumpstart an offense. More names will join the portal to bolster the defensive talent, but Georgia defensive back Jaheim Singletary, Missouri defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat and Virginia linebacker Nick Jackson are two players to watch.
Who are the best players in the college football transfer portal for the 2022-23 season? Athlon Sports tracks the big uncommitted names for the upcoming year:
College Football's Best Players in Transfer Portal
Nick Jackson, LB, Virginia
Jackson has an active cog in Virginia's defense recently, recording at least 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons. The Georgia native earned second-team All-ACC honors after accumulating 104 tackles (seven for a loss), five sacks and four pass breakups in '22.
Trajan Jeffcoat, DL, Missouri
Jeffcoat originally announced he would return to Missouri in '23 but later opted to enter the portal. In 48 games with the Tigers, Jeffcoat recorded 84 overall tackles (19 for a loss) and 11.5 sacks. His best season came in '20 with six tackles and a forced fumble over nine games. As a result, Jeffcoat earned first-team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press.
Jaheim Singletary, DB, Georgia
Singletary saw limited playing time (just 17 snaps) in his first year in Athens but is expected to garner significant interest in the portal. The Florida native was a five-star prospect in the '22 signing class, ranking as the No. 5 cornerback recruit by the 247Sports Composite.
Kiyaunta Goodwin, OL, Kentucky
Goodwin was a huge win for coach Mark Stoops on the recruiting trail last season, as the Kentucky native picked the Wildcats over programs like Alabama, LSU, Oregon and Texas. However, Goodwin played only five snaps in Lexington and opted for the portal in mid-December. Could Goodwin's list of suitors look similar to his offer sheet coming out of high school?
Ethan White, OL, Florida
For teams needing help on the interior of the offensive line, White is a must-get in the portal. The Florida native started 20 games for the Gators over the last two seasons and earned second-team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press in '22. According to PFF, White did not give up a sack this year.
Eyabi Okie, DL, Michigan
The next stop in Okie's career will be his fifth program after opting to leave Michigan after the '22 season. The Maryland native started his career at Alabama and had stints at Houston and UT Martin before arriving in Ann Arbor. Okie flashed the potential that made him a five-star prospect coming out of high school this year, as he recorded 18 tackles (6.5 for a loss) and 4.5 sacks in 14 games for the Wolverines.
Malik Fleming, CB, East Carolina
Fleming was essentially a three-year starter with the Pirates and should attract plenty of interest in the portal. The Georgia native is coming off his best season with East Carolina after earning second-team All-AAC honors. Fleming played in all 13 games for the Pirates and picked off three passes to go with 41 tackles and nine passes defended. Over 46 appearances at ECU, Fleming made 105 tackles and intercepted six passes.
Sam Huard, QB, Washington
Huard has only attempted 44 passes in his two seasons at Washington, but the redshirt freshman should have a lengthy list of suitors after entering the portal. The Washington native ranked as a five-star prospect in the '21 signing class and made one start as a true freshman. However, with Michael Penix transferring in for '22, Huard was relegated to a backup role this season and was slated to return to that role next fall. Finding a place to push for a starting job or snaps right away is likely at the top of the wish list for Huard.
Related: College Football Player Transfer Tracker for 2022-23
