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Power 5 quarterbacks such as DJ Uiagalelei and former prized ESPN 300 recruits such as Trey Sanders are causing most of the buzz surrounding college football's transfer portal. Just as high school recruiting is not an exact science, neither is the portal. There are many players at smaller schools who declared their free agency last week and are talented enough to play -- and flourish -- at the Power 5 level if they find the right program and scheme. Compared to high school recruits, it is easier to predict success for highly regarded transfers like Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, who went from Oklahoma to USC. Last year, Jared Verse transferred from FCS Albany to Florida State, where he posted 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. We popped in the tape to find 11 underrated sleepers in the transfer portal who could become household names at the Power 5 level in 2023.  coverage:
Ranking the top players to enter the portal
Top available transfer quarterbacks
Best fits for transfer QB D.J. Uiagalelei
  1. Xavier Guillory, WRTransferring from: Idaho State HT: 6-2 | WT: 197 | Class: Senior Guillory is coming off a breakout season with close to 800 yards receiving through 10 games. He seemed to prosper under first-year head coach Charlie Ragle but entered the portal as soon as Ragle resigned to accept a positional job at Arizona State. Initially committed to Air Force, Guillory was a strong two-way player out of high school and on the Power 5 radar. He can add immediate speed to a Power 5 roster. He's a tall target with soft hands and great acceleration to separate after the catch. He hit 21.7 mph on a 75-yard touchdown against San Diego State.
 2. Titus Swen, RBTransferring from: Wyoming HT: 5-11 | WT: 206| Class: Junior One of the most underrated Group of 5 backs this season, Swen ran for 98 yards vs. Illinois' top-10 rushing defense. The Texas native posted nearly 2,000 rushing yards over the past three seasons for the Cowboys at 5.3 yards per clip. At 5-11, 206, he blends impressive balance and power as a downhill runner with breakaway speed in the second level. Swen also recorded a verified 4.7 40-yard dash out of high school, which may have deterred Power 5 schools. However, he plays fast, posting nearly 21 mph this year, which is equivalent to a 4.5 in pads.
 3. Zy Alexander, CBTransferring from: SE Louisiana HT: 6-3 | WT: 185 | Class: Third-year sophomore Tall corners with length and ball skills are rare, but Alexander received little exposure out of high school as part of the 2020 recruiting cycle. He broke out in 2021 for Southeastern Louisiana, snagging six interceptions and defending 13 more passes. In 2022, he had three additional picks, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was also great in the open field, utilizing his length and recovery speed fundamentals for 17 solo tackles. Alexander has excellent range and instincts for the football. He was able to lock down the best wide receiver on the field at the FCS level, and chances are he will do the same at the FBS level.
 4. Carson Steele, RBTransferring from: Ball State HT: 6-1 | WT: 215 | Class: Sophomore Just a sophomore, Steele shredded MAC defenses for over 1,500 yards rushing this season and frequently carried the load (seven games with at least 25 carries). He had modest offers coming out of high school, as his game doesn't contain a lot of speed or elusiveness. But Steele, the sixth-leading rusher in FBS, uses his power game by lowering the pads and pushing the pile. He does flash impressive burst for his size to get through tight traffic and enough agility to make defenders miss in the open field. The former Mr. Football in Indiana also has soft hands out of the backfield with 40-plus receptions in the past two years. 
 5. Dequece Carter, WRTransferring from: Fordham HT: 6-0 | WT: 196 | Class: Senior Carter had an FBS-level skill set coming out of high school but didn't have ideal size and verified speed measurables to attract higher offers. He has dominated the FCS level with over 3,000 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. A grad transfer with one year of eligibility remaining, Carter has excellent hands and ball tracking skills. Though he isn't super fast or shifty after the catch, he's a savvy route runner and a big-catch downfield target. Carter averaged almost 21 yards per reception this past season, consistently winning the contested jump ball.
 6. Raphael Williams, WRTransferring from: Western Carolina HT: 5-10 | WT: 165 | Class: Sophomore Williams was a jet for the Catamounts over the past two seasons and a nightmare for opposing defenses in one-on-one coverage. He was an All-Broward selection as a high school senior but overlooked given his size (5-8, 160 as a recruit). As a high schooler, he never ran a verified 40-yard dash under 4.7 seconds. He played a season at Division II Tusculum before transferring to Western Carolina, where he has torched defenses for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He's an excellent route runner with rare quickness and change-of-direction skills at the top of his breaks that should create separation against Power 5 defensive backs.
 7. Ajani Cornelius, OLTransferring from: Rhode Island HT: 6-4 | WT: 320 | Class: Sophomore Cornelius played at FCS Rhode Island but may be the best offensive lineman in the portal. Coming from a smaller private school in New York, he had good size but lacked Power 5 functional strength and agility. That weight is now distributed properly on his long frame and he's more agile with better bend in pass protection. His best asset is as a run blocker, where he shows great pop and explosion off the ball. Technically, Cornelius is also very sound and should make a smooth transition to the next level.
 8. Cameron Foster, OLTransferring from: McNeese HT: 6-3 | WT: 306 | Class: Sophomore Foster was a dominant high school player on film but didn't check the height box at only 6-2. What schools may have missed was his 84-inch wingspan and quick feet. He displayed great power and leverage on the gridiron and track, where he was a state shot put champion. Foster has excelled in pass protection at left tackle but will most likely move inside to guard at the Power 5 level to take advantage of his quickness and strength as he finishes defenders.
 9. Austin Reed, QBTransferring from: Western Kentucky HT: 6-2 | WT: 230 | Class: Senior Reed started all 13 games for the Hilltoppers, throwing for 4,249 yards and 36 touchdowns. He spent three seasons with West Florida before transferring to Western Kentucky in 2021. He led the Argonauts to a Division II national title in 2019 after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was a 6-foot QB with good stats in high school but just average size, speed and mobility. What wasn't measured is an extremely quick release with excellent short-to-intermediate velocity and accuracy. Reed needs to find a pass-happy spread offense at the Power 5 level to continue his excellent production.
 10. Dante Cephas, WRTransferring from: Kent State HT: 6-1 | WT: 186 | Class: Junior Cephas was a late bloomer from a developmental standpoint. At 170 pounds, he ran a 4.7 40 in high school and lacked explosiveness. Since, he has bulked up and gained speed and functional strength. He dominated the MAC in 2021 with over 80 receptions and 1,200 yards. His production dipped a bit in 2022 but he still showed flashes of dominance at the Group of 5 level. He possesses an impressive blend of size and speed that should bolster any blue-chip receiving corps. Cephas can beat defenders with separation or with pure strength after the catch.
 11. Kyle Morlock, TETransferring from: Shorter HT: 6-7 | WT: 250 | Class: Sophomore A big basketball body who was under-recruited out of high school, Morlock attended Division II Shorter University out of high school. He has refined his pass-catching skill set and become a big-time receiving threat on a massive 6-7, 245-pound frame. Over his career at Shorter, Morlock has caught 57 balls for 890 receiving yards and 11 TDs. He can split out and create mismatches on smaller linebackers or put his hand in the ground and dominate at the point of attack as a run blocker. He is a very intriguing prospect who we feel is worth the Power 5 gamble.
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