The transfer portal has reshaped college football, the SEC (definitely) included.

There are three types of transfers when it comes college football’s most competitive conference: (1) players who came to the SEC from another league; (2) those who left the SEC for a school in another league; and (3) players who left one SEC school for another (including players from Oklahoma and Texas). What follows is a recap of the best and/or most-impactful players who transferred during the 2023-24 offseason, in each of those three categories (players listed in alphabetical order; previous school in parentheses).

NOTE: One player not included is Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, who transferred to Iowa in January and then re-joined the Crimson Tide over the summer. He is technically a transfer, but we’re not counting him since he never actually played in a game for the Hawkeyes.

New to the SEC

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (Washington)

Bernard is on his third school, but has a chance to be the No. 1 receiver with the Crimson Tide given his experience in Kalen DeBoer’s offense. The junior caught 34 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns in his lone season at Washington after transferring in from Michigan State.

Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama (Washington)

Brailsford was a Freshman All-American and second-team All-Pac 12 pick for the Huskies in 2023, and enters this season as one of the best players in the country at his position. The redshirt sophomore almost immediately won a starting job upon arriving in Tuscaloosa prior to spring practice.

Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma (Purdue)

Burks caught 47 passes for 629 yards and seven touchdowns for the Boilermakers last year, and has a chance to improve upon those numbers in Seth Littrell’s offense. He joins 2023 freshman standout Nic Anderson to give the Sooners a potentially dynamic twosome on the outside.

Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas (Boise State)

The Razorbacks replace one big, bruising quarterback with another after KJ Jefferson transferred to Central Florida. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Green was a two-year starter for the Broncos and totaled 3,794 yards and 25 touchdowns passing along with 1,026 yards and 19 scores rushing in 2022 and 2023.

Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama (USC)

Jackson was a five-star recruit for the Trojans in 2022, and totaled 33 tackles and three pass breakups as a first-time starter last year. He committed to Alabama while the Crimson Tide was in Southern California for the Rose Bowl, and stuck with his pledge despite the coaching change.

Ja’Quinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas (Utah)

The Razorbacks needed a replacement for 2022 All-SEC pick Raheim Sanders after “Rocket” entered the transfer portal, and found it in the burly Jackson. The 229-pound bruiser rushed for 1,358 yards and 14 touchdowns the last two season for the Utes, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Penn State (Auburn)

The Tigers have four promising freshman receivers on their 2024 roster, but landed a veteran presence in Lambert-Smith, who has one year of eligibility remaining. The Virginia native caught 126 passes for 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons with the Nittany Lions, averaging 13.7 yards per catch.

Nate Kalepo, OL, Ole Miss (Washington)

There was a mass exodus from Washington following Kalen DeBoer’s departure for Alabama, and the Rebels were among the major beneficiaries. They not only landed Kalepo, a 15-game starter in 2023 who has stepped right in at left guard, but also Julius Buelow, who is expected to start at right tackle.

Andrew Mukuba, SAF, Texas (Clemson)

An Austin native, Mukuba returns to his hometown to take after at free safety for the Longhorns after three years as a starter for the Tigers. In 35 games (31) starts at Clemson, he totaled 149 tackles, 20 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Graham Nicholson, K, Alabama (Miami, Ohio)

The Crimson Tide plugs Nicholson in for the departed Will Reichard, replacing the SEC’s all-time leading scorer with the 2023 Lou Groza Award winner. Nicholson, who has one year of eligibility remaining, missed only one of 28 field goal attempts last season, and had 52 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs.

Diego Pavia, QB, New Mexico State (Vanderbilt)

The “Auburn Killer” and 2023 Conference USA Player of the Year is now in the SEC full-time. Pavia — who leads the Commodores into Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 2 — passed for 2,973 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, while rushing for 925 yards and seven scores.

Toriano Pride, CB, Missouri (Clemson)

A former Top 100 national recruit out of East St. Louis, Ill., Pride leaves one team of Tigers for another with two years of eligibility remaining. In 26 games (three starts) over two seasons at Clemson, he totaled 36 tackles, nine pass breakups and an interception.

Blake Shapen, QB, Mississippi State (Baylor)

New Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby also has roots at Baylor, where Shapen started 23 games the last three seasons. In eight games for the Bears during a 2023 season marred by knee and head injuries, he passed for 2,188 yards and 13 touchdowns with just three interceptions.

Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M (Purdue)

Scourton — previously known as Nic Calloway — grew up near College Station and Bryan, and returns to his home area after a breakout season with the Boilermakers in 2023. He totaled 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and a Big Ten-leading 10 sacks as a sophomore, and has two years of eligibility remaining with the Aggies.

Joey Slackman, DT, Florida (Penn)

One of the top FCS transfers in the country, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Slackman is set to make an immediate impact with the Gators. He was Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team FCS All-American in 2023, when he totaled 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks for the Quakers.

Others of note

Kelly Akharaiyi, WR, Mississippi State (UTEP); Cyrus Allen, WR, Texas A&M (Louisiana Tech); Silas Bolden, WR, Texas (Oregon State); Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee (Tulane); Marcus Bryant, OL, Missouri (SMU); Julius Buelow, OL, Ole Miss (Washington); Fernando Carmona, OT, Arkansas (San Jose State); Marcus Carroll, RB, Missouri (Georgia State); CJ Daniels, WR, LSU (Liberty); Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (Houston); Branson Hickman, OL, Texas (SMU); Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (Bowling Green); Sam Jackson, WR, Auburn (California); DaShawn Jones, CB, Alabama (Wake Forest); Trey Jones, DB, Texas A&M (Central Michigan); Robert Lewis, WR, Auburn (Georgia State); Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina (Georgia Tech); Austin Mack, QB, Alabama (Washington); King Mack, SAF, Alabama (Penn State); Cormani McClain, CB, Florida (Colorado); BJ Mayes, DB, Texas A&M (UAB); Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas (Texas-San Antonio); Nate Noel, RB, Missouri (Appalachian State); Bill Norton, DT, Texas (Arizona); Gio Paez, DT, LSU (Wisconsin); Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss (North Carolina); Makylan Pounders, OT, Mississippi State (Memphis); Jaden Rashada, QB, Georgia (Arizona State); Keon Sabb, SAF, Alabama (Michigan); Holden Staes, TE, Tennessee (Notre Dame); Michael Tarquin, OT, Oklahoma (USC); Chip Trayanum, RB, Kentucky (Ohio State); Asa Turner, SAF, Florida (Washington); Caiden Woullard, EDGE, Oklahoma (Miami, Ohio); Ben Yurosek, TE, Georgia (Stanford); Colbie Young, WR, Georgia (Miami); Jason Zandamela, OL, Florida (USC)

Gone from the SEC

Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville (Alabama)

One of the heroes of the 2022 Iron Bowl, Brooks was a non-factor for the Crimson Tide last season while a shoulder injury limited him to just three catches in nine games. He averaged 17.8 yards per catch and scored eight touchdowns the previous year, however, and could thrive in Jeff Brohm’s receiver-friendly Cardinals offense.

Fadil Diggs, EDGE, Syracuse (Texas A&M)

The Orange are expected to start around a half-dozen transfers under first-year coach Fran Brown, the longtime Georgia assistant coach. Diggs, a New Jersey native who has one year of eligibility remaining, totaled 36 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and four sacks for the Aggies in 2023.

Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State (Alabama)

Arguably the most impactful transfer in the country, Downs was a first-team All-SEC pick and won the Shaun Alexander Award as national freshman of the year in 2023. He’ll be an immediate starter for the Buckeyes after totaling 107 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions for the Crimson Tide last season.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon (Oklahoma)

Gabriel steps right into the spot vacated by Bo Nix, and could wind up be a Heisman finalist just like his predecessor. In 50 games the last five seasons at UCF and Oklahoma, Gabriel has passed for 14,685 yards and 125 touchdowns. Those totals that already rank in the Top 10 in college football history, and he’s got a shot to break both records this season.

AJ Harris, CB, Penn State (Georgia)

A five-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Central-Phenix City, Harris could not break into a loaded Georgia secondary as a true freshman. He should step right in as a starter with the Nittany Lions after appearing in seven games and totaling three tackles in his lone season with the Bulldogs.

KJ Jefferson, QB, Central Florida (Arkansas)

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Jefferson was a highly productive three-year starter for the Razorbacks, and joins Gus Malzahn’s Knights with one season of eligibility remaining. In 44 career games at Arkansas, he totaled 7,911 yards with 67 touchdowns passes, plus 21 more scores rushing.

Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE, Florida State (Georgia)

A former five-star recruit, Jones was a role-player in two seasons with the Bulldogs but should be an immediate impact player at his father’s alma mater. In 25 career games, Jones totaled 16 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Max Johnson, QB, North Carolina (Texas A&M)

Johnson is on his third school after spending two years each at LSU and Texas A&M. With 5,852 yards and 47 touchdowns passing in 30 career games, he transferred to North Carolina along with younger brother Jake, a top tight end recruit in the Aggies’ 2022 signing class.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State (Ole Miss)

Judkins left a starring role in Oxford to join TreVeyon Henderson and potentially form the top running back duo in the country in Columbus. In two seasons with the Rebels, the Montgomery native totaled 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry.

Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State (Alabama)

McLaughlin left Tuscaloosa after starting 20 games at center the last two seasons. Despite his well-documented issues executing shotgun snaps, he’s expected to play the same position for the Buckeyes, who like the Crimson Tide are almost certain to be in the national championship mix this season.

Maalik Murphy, QB, Duke (Texas)

Murphy was set to be third in the pecking order with the Longhorns behind Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, but will get first chance to replace Riley Leonard under center with the Blue Devils. In seven games as a true freshman at Texas in 2023, the 6-foot-5 Murphy passed for 477 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.

Will Rogers, QB, Washington (Mississippi State)

Rogers would likely have been the SEC’s all-time leading passer had he stayed for his final season with the Bulldogs, but instead will seek to replace Heisman finalist Michael Penix with the Huskies. In four seasons in Starkville, Rogers passed for 12,315 yards and 94 touchdowns, behind only Aaron Murray in the former category and only Murray and Danny Wuerffel in the latter.

Will Sheppard, WR, Colorado (Vanderbilt)

Sheppard was arguably the best player on the Commodores’ roster the last two seasons, and will now get the opportunity to play in at least a more high-profile program. In 43 games over four years at Vanderbilt, he totaled 152 receptions for 2,067 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon (Texas A&M)

Stewart had trouble staying on the field for a number of reasons the last two years in College Station, but could thrive in the Ducks’ high-powered offense. The former five-star recruit played in 18 games for the Aggies, totaling 91 receptions for 1,163 yards and six touchdowns.

Roydell Williams, RB, Florida State (Alabama)

One of five players who left the Crimson Tide for the Seminoles, Williams should be the feature back at FSU. The former Hueytown High School star was second on the Alabama team in rushing yards (560) in 2023, and totaled 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Others of note

Ethan Barr, LB, Central Florida (Vanderbilt); Austin Blaske, C, North Carolina (Georgia); Malik Benson, WR, Florida State (Alabama); Jalen Brown, WR, Florida State (LSU); Tyler Buchner, QB, Notre Dame (Alabama); Duce Chestnut, DB, Syracuse (LSU); TJ Ferguson, OG, Florida State (Alabama); Nyland Green, CB, Purdue (Georgia); Zeed Haynes, WR, Syracuse (Georgia); Jaxon Howard, EDGE, Minnesota (LSU); Jake Johnson, TE, North Carolina (Texas A&M); Richie Leonard, OG, Florida State (Florida); Earl Little, DB, Florida State (Alabama); Jackson Meeks, WR, Syracuse (Georgia); Shawn Murphy, LB, Florida State (Alabama); Cam Riley, LB, Florida State (Auburn); Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State (Alabama); CJ Smith, WR, Purdue (Georgia); Quency Wiggins, DL, Colorado (LSU)

Staying in the SEC

Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas (Alabama)

Bond’s time as an Iron Bowl hero didn’t last, as he left town for Austin shortly after Nick Saban retired. The Georgia native should be a no-doubt impact player for the Longhorns after totaling 65 receptions for 888 yards and five touchdowns — including the one on 4th and 31 — in two years at Alabama.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB, Kentucky (Georgia)

A first-team All-American on a national championship Bulldogs team in 2022, Dumas-Johnson suffered through an injury-riddled 2023 before entering the transfer portal. In 38 games (24 starts) in three seasons in Athens, Dumas-Johnson totaled 126 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and seven pass breakups.

Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia (Florida)

The younger brother of former Clemson All-American (and current Jacksonville Jaguar) Travis Etienne will get to experience life on both sides of the “Cocktail Party” rivalry. In two seasons with the Gators, the younger Etienne rushed for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Cayden Green, OL, Missouri (Oklahoma)

A Missouri native, Green returns to his home state after starting half his true freshman season with the Sooners. The former four-star recruit should step right in at guard to anchor the left side of the Tigers line alongside fellow transfer Marcus Bryant, an all-conference tackle at SMU last season.

Lance Heard, OT, Tennessee (LSU)

A five-star prospect and Top 20 national recruit in the 2023 class, Heard chose not to wait behind a pair of all-conference caliber offensive tackles at LSU. The Louisiana native instead moved across the conference to Tennessee, where he should start at left tackle this season.

Amari Niblack, TE, Texas (Alabama)

Niblack had a highly productive sophomore season with the Crimson Tide, catching 20 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns before entering the transfer portal. The Longhorns have a returning starter at tight end in senior Gunnar Helm, but Niblack still should get plenty of opportunities in an offense that spreads the ball around.

Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss (Texas A&M)

The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 signing class for the Aggies, Nolen was also one of the most sought-after transfers in the portal this past offseason. He lands in Oxford after totaling 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks in 22 games (14 starts) at Texas A&M.

Chris Paul, LB, Ole Miss (Arkansas)

Paul is one of six likely defensive starters the Rebels landed through the transfer portal, and should immediately step in at middle linebacker. In 28 games (11 starts) the last three years with the Razorbacks, he totaled 137 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Percy Lewis, OT, Auburn (Mississippi State)

The Tigers’ offensive line was once a liability but could now be a strength, after adding four starters the last two seasons. The mammoth Lewis (6-foot-7, 335 pounds) joined on this year after two seasons at Mississippi State and should be the man for Auburn at left tackle.

Isaiah Raikes, DL, Auburn (Texas A&M)

Raikes technically transferred to Auburn from USC, but never played for the Trojans after leaving Texas A&M in January. He’s expected to start at defensive tackle for the Tigers after playing in 41 games the last four seasons for the Aggies, totaling 43 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Rocket Sanders, RB, South Carolina (Arkansas)

A 2022 All-SEC pick, Sanders saw his 2023 season end after six games due to a shoulder injury. He’s fully healthy and expected to be the feature back for the Gamecocks this fall, having totaled 2,230 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 49 receptions, in his college career.

Princely Umanmielen, DE, Ole Miss (Florida)

One of the the top pass-rushers available in the portal this year, Umanmielen fills an immediate need for the Rebels. In four seasons with the Gators, he totaled 99 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks, getting to the quarterback seven times in 2023.

Jerrin Thompson, DB, Auburn (Texas)

Thompson moved right into a starting role at safety for the Tigers, and was defensive MVP of the A-Day spring game. In 49 games (31 starts) with the Longhorns, he totaled 176 tackles, 23 pass breakups and five interceptions.

Juice Wells, WR, Ole Miss (South Carolina)

Wells was an All-SEC pick when he totaled 68 receptions for 928 yards and six touchdowns for the Gamecocks in 2022, but played in just three games in 2023 due to a bad foot. He’s healthy now and in Oxford, where he will pair with Tre Harris to form one of the top receiving duos in the SEC.

Brock Vandagriff, QB, Kentucky (Georgia)

A former four-star prospect and Top 50 national recruit, Vandagriff got tired of waiting for his shot in Athens and moved to what should be a starting role with the Wildcats. He saw mop-up duty in 13 games the last three seasons at Georgia, completing 12 of 21 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Others of note

Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss (Alabama); Austin Ausberry, DB, LSU (Auburn); Stone Blanton, LB, Mississippi State (South Carolina); Raymond Cottrell, WR, Kentucky (Texas A&M); Jardin Gilbert, SAF, LSU (Texas A&M); Grayson Howard, LB, Florida (South Carolina); London Humphreys, WR, Georgia (Vanderbilt); Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina (Charlotte); Steven Losoya, OL, Vanderbilt (Mississippi State); Marlon Martinez, OL, Mississippi State (LSU); Xzavier McLeod, DL, Georgia (South Carolina); Gerald Mincey, OL, Kentucky (Tennessee); Addison Nichols, OL, Arkansas (Tennessee); LT Overton, DL, Alabama (Texas A&M); Jake Pope, DB, Georgia (Alabama); Dezz Ricks, CB, Texas A&M (Alabama); Xavion Sorey, LB, Arkansas (Georgia); Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU (Mississippi State); Brandon Turnage, CB, Ole Miss (Tennessee)