As the transfer portal opens and over 1,000 players consider their options, it’s an ideal opportunity to assess the significant winners and losers from last year’s college football free agency. This overview focuses on players either departing from College Football Playoff (CFP) teams for fresh starts or those who joined new programs that managed to secure a spot in this season’s rankings.

**Winners**

**Wide Receiver Isaiah Bond** made the transition from Alabama to Texas following Nick Saban’s exit. Concerned about the future direction of Alabama’s program, he opted for a role in Texas’s dynamic offensive scheme. Throughout the season, Bond recorded an impressive 33 catches for 532 yards and scored five touchdowns.

**Running Back Trevor Etienne** transferred from Florida to Georgia, despite the common rivalry between the schools. Recognizing the uncertainty surrounding Florida’s rebuilding phase, he chose to “bet on himself” by seeking a new opportunity. Etienne finished with 571 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

**Quarterback Dillon Gabriel** switched from Oklahoma to Oregon after reassessing his draft prospects. He decided to take full advantage of his sixth year of eligibility. Surprising Oklahoma coach Brent Venables with his transfer request, Gabriel returned closer to home in Hawaii. He significantly improved his performance in Oregon, throwing for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

**Quarterback Will Howard** made a strategic move from Kansas State to Ohio State to join a more conventional passing offense. This change increased his chances of competing for a national title. Howard’s efforts resulted in a standout season with 2,860 passing yards and 27 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

**Quarterback Sam Leavitt**, who previously played for Michigan State, opted to join Arizona State after limited playing time and a coaching change. His new coach, Jonathan Smith, came from Oregon State, where Leavitt hadn’t received an offer despite an impressive high school career in Portland. Leavitt thrived, amassing 2,663 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

**Quarterback Riley Leonard** transferred from Duke to Notre Dame, where he had an impressive start to the season with a win over Clemson before facing injuries and a coaching change. Choosing to join the Fighting Irish proved advantageous, as he managed 2,092 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

**Quarterback Kurtis Rourke** left Ohio to join Indiana when the new head coach, Curt Cignetti, sought to build a football program. Seizing the opportunity to play in the Big Ten, Rourke made a notable impact, finishing the season with 2,827 yards, 27 touchdowns, and four interceptions.

**Wide Receiver Evan Stewart** transitioned from Texas A&M to Oregon, drawing attention with a candid social media post reflecting on his lack of financial support during his time at A&M. Stewart emerged as the top receiver in the transfer portal, ending the season with 48 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns.

**Losers**

**Wide Receiver Elijhah Badger**, a fifth-year senior, transferred from Arizona State to Florida, leaving behind an impressive record of 135 catches for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns over two seasons. Now, Badger finds himself headed to the Gasparilla Bowl after having a modest season with 37 receptions for 789 yards and four touchdowns.

**Defensive Back Trikweze Bridges** shifted from Oregon to Florida in search of more playing time and a position change to safety. However, he eventually returned to cornerback due to an influx of injuries affecting the team’s lineup. Bridges tallied 69 tackles and one interception.

**Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson**, a two-time national champion with Georgia, transferred to Kentucky seeking a more enjoyable football experience. Unfortunately for Dumas-Johnson, the Wildcats suffered six losses in their last seven games, causing them to miss a bowl game for the first time since 2015. Nevertheless, he was a strong performer with 67 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

**Defensive End B.J. Green** left Arizona State for Colorado, initially aiming to enhance his final collegiate season. Although he increased his production slightly, he ultimately finds himself playing in the Alamo Bowl rather than the CFP, finishing with 30 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

**Safety Bryan Massey** transitioned from SMU to Houston, hoping for a fresh start after injuries limited his senior season. Though he sought more opportunities 250 miles away, Massey ended up sharing return duties, finishing with 227 all-purpose yards and four tackles.

**Safety Kobee Minor**, who had previously earned honorable mention status in the All-Big Ten, transferred for the second time in two years to Memphis, but was sidelined for two games. He finished the season with 31 tackles and five pass breakups.

**Running Back Savion Red** found some success with Nevada after leaving Texas but might have achieved similar statistics had he remained with the Longhorns during a time when they faced injuries to key players. Red concluded the season with 687 yards and eight touchdowns.

**Quarterback Brock Vandagriff** left Georgia for Kentucky, anticipating a starting role but instead found himself benched partway through the season. He could have potentially stepped in for an injured starter during the CFP but instead finished with 1,593 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

In conclusion, the dynamics of college football’s transfer portal lead to significant shifts for players, both positively and negatively impacting their careers as they seek better opportunities and playtime in new environments.