2024 college football all-underrated transfer portal team

Nobody has a tough time evaluating players like Cam Ward, Dillon Gabriel or Quinshon Judkins when they enter the NCAA transfer portal. Everybody wants proven all-conference caliber talent, and the race to recruit those players is always fast and furious.

That's why we've put together this all-underrated transfer portal team. It's time to recognize the under-the-radar transfers who have paid off and the coaching staffs who identified them. Digging through lists and tape on thousands of college football players and finding exactly what your team needs is not an easy task.

These guys weren't the highly coveted portal recruits whom everybody fought over. They aren't making millions of dollars this season. They're just good football players who've found good roles in their new homes.

Most players on this team transferred after the 2023 season, but we're also honoring a few who redshirted with their new team last year and broke through this fall. All of them have made a big impression with their play in 2024.

Offense

QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State (via Michigan State)

The former three-star recruit hit the portal in December after playing 45 snaps over four games during his lone season at Michigan State. Coach Kenny Dillingham brought him in to compete with Jaden Rashada and it didn't take long for Leavitt to prove he's the guy this program can build its future around.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt freshman is helping lead a stunning turnaround in Tempe. Leavitt has put up 2,254 total yards with 21 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He's 8-1 as a starter, has led two wins over Top 25 opponents and has put Arizona State in contention for a Big 12 title in Dillingham's second year.

"Sam is really good," Dillingham said after Arizona State's 24-14 upset win at Kansas State on Saturday. "We should be really happy that we have Sam and we have him for two to three more years. I mean, Sam's going to play on Sundays. There's zero doubt in my mind. Sam's an NFL player. I think the sky is his limit and I think he's going to be the face of Sun Devil football."

Honorable mention: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (via New Mexico State); Hajj-Malik Williams, UNLV (via Campbell)

RB: Brashard Smith, SMU (via Miami)

Who could've guessed back in December that Smith would become one of the ACC's top rushers at SMU? The versatile slot receiver and returner recorded a grand total of 18 carries over three seasons at Miami, but Rhett Lashlee and his coaching staff figured out how to unlock his potential as an unstoppable running back.

Lashlee trusted his explosive playmaking ability could translate as a back, and the switch has gone remarkably well: Smith has produced 1,026 rushing yards (second-most in the ACC) and 12 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry. He has also been a problem in the passing game with 26 receptions for 203 receiving yards and two scores and has helped SMU become an instant ACC title contender since joining the conference.

Honorable mention: Tre Stewart, Jacksonville State (via Limestone)

RB: Mario Anderson Jr., Memphis (via South Carolina)

Anderson enjoyed a prolific career at the Division II level at Newberry College and led South Carolina in rushing in 2023, but he wanted a new opportunity for his final season of eligibility. The 5-9, 208-pound senior ranks second in the AAC (and seventh in FBS) in yards from scrimmage with 1,115 rushing yards plus 294 receiving yards and has scored 18 total touchdowns. Anderson has delivered seven 100-yard rushing performances for the 9-2 Tigers.

Honorable mention: Anthony Hankerson, Oregon State (via Colorado)

WR: Coleman Owen, Ohio (via Northern Arizona)

Owen was an All-Big Sky performer at Northern Arizona and is proving he's one of the best slot receivers in the country at Ohio. The 5-11, 191-pound grad transfer leads all MAC wide receivers with 890 receiving yards on 57 catches and has scored six touchdowns. Owen has also been a dynamic return man and scored on a 61-yard punt return against Kent State. He ranks 15th in FBS in receiving yards and has put together five 100-yard games, including 137 yards on 10 catches in his debut against Syracuse.

Honorable mention: DT Sheffield, North Texas (via Washington State)

WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (via Colorado)

Tyson was Colorado's leading receiver as a freshman in 2022 before suffering a devastating knee injury and was cut during the Buffaloes' post-spring roster turnover in 2023. Arizona State took a chance on him, knowing he wouldn't be able to play much in his first year, and he got on the field for 17 snaps while redshirting. Now he's healthy and back to being a serious playmaker. Tyson has turned 49 catches into 833 yards and nine touchdowns as Leavitt's go-to guy and is coming off the best game of his career with 12 catches for 176 yards and two TDs to beat K-State.

Honorable mention: Kevin Coleman Jr., Mississippi State (via Louisville)

TE: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt (via New Mexico State)

Stowers was an ESPN 300 recruit as a quarterback and has had a fascinating journey ever since with two years at Texas A&M and one at New Mexico State before making the move to Nashville with his coaches and his QB. The 6-4, 235-pound junior leads all SEC tight ends with 557 receiving yards and has scored four TDs for a Vandy team that has exceeded all expectations in 2024.

Honorable mention: Joe Royer, Cincinnati (via Ohio State)

OT: Trey Wedig, Indiana (via Wisconsin)

Wedig started just eight games over four seasons with the Badgers and was a reserve guard in 2023, but he has fit right in as the starting right tackle for one of the best offenses in college football. The 6-7, 319-pound redshirt senior has started all 10 games for the Hoosiers and has allowed pressure on a mere 1.3% of his snaps in pass protection, according to TruMedia.

Honorable mention: Easton Kilty, Kansas State (via North Dakota)

OT: Logan Brown, Kansas (via Wisconsin)

The former five-star recruit struggled to live up to the hype over four seasons with the Badgers and didn't do much for the Jayhawks in 2023, appearing in two games and redshirting. But the 6-6, 315-pound tackle has looked better than ever this season. He's playing with consistency, has started all 10 games at right tackle with just one sack allowed and has been the third-best tackle in the Big 12 in PFF grading.

Honorable mention: Chris Adams, Memphis (via Old Dominion)

OG: Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M (via Kansas)

After one season as a starter with the Jayhawks, Reed-Adams made his move to the SEC and has held down the right guard spot for the Aggies. The 6-5, 330-pound junior has started all 10 games and has allowed just one sack and three pressures, according to TruMedia.

Honorable mention: Baraka Beckett, New Mexico (via Campbell)

OG: Omar Aigbedion, Baylor (via Montana State)

After two strong seasons at the FCS level, Aigbedion came home to Texas and has helped solidify the offensive line of one of the most improved offenses in FBS. The 6-3, 310-pound junior has started all 10 games at right guard and has yet to allow a sack for an offense that's averaging 45.8 points per game during its current four-game win streak.

Honorable mention: Caleb Krings, Duke (via Elon)

C: Vincent Murphy, Tulane (via Western Kentucky)

After three seasons as a reserve at South Carolina, Murphy broke through as a quality two-year starter at center and guard for Western Kentucky and made the move to Tulane for his final season of eligibility. Murphy has helped new coach Jon Sumrall and his staff get the Green Wave rolling to another AAC title game appearance, starting all 11 games at center and surrendering one sack and three pressures.

Honorable mention: Austin Blaske, North Carolina (via Georgia)

All-purpose: Desmond Reid, Pitt (via Western Carolina)

Reid followed offensive coordinator Kade Bell to Pitt following a productive two-year stint at FCS Western Carolina and is proving he deserves to play at the highest level. The 5-8, 175-pound back ranks third in the ACC in all-purpose yards (1,419) with 738 rushing yards, 536 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on offense. Reid has also taken a 78-yard punt return back for a TD. He's averaging 7.6 yards per touch in a Pitt offense that has jumped from No. 116 in scoring nationally last season to 24th.

Honorable mention: Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan (via Oklahoma State)

Defense

DL: Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (via Georgia Tech)

The SEC's sack leader has racked up 10.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and 31 pressures in his super senior season with the Gamecocks. The 6-5, 254-pound edge rusher started 20 games over his four seasons at Georgia Tech but has taken his game to another level in the SEC and has seriously boosted his draft stock on a defense that ranks nationally with 35 sacks.

Honorable mention: Ben McNaboe, Ohio (via North Dakota)

DL: Mikail Kamara, Indiana (via James Madison)

Curt Cignetti's James Madison transfers have been incredibly productive since making the leap to the Big Ten this year. Kamara is one of several who should earn All-Big Ten honors at the end of the year after emerging as one of the most productive pass rushers in the country. Kamara leads FBS in defensive pressures with 44, according to TruMedia, and is currently first in the Big Ten in sacks (9.5) and second in tackles for loss (14.5) while playing a variety of roles along the Hoosiers' front.

Honorable mention: T.J. Jackson II, West Virginia (via Troy)

DL: Eric O'Neill, James Madison (via LIU)

James Madison's new coaching staff did an impressive job of reloading for Year 1 and found an impact pass rusher via the portal in O'Neill. The 6-3, 250-pound edge rusher was an FCS All-American at LIU in 2023 and has been just as unstoppable in the Sun Belt with 35 stops, 12.5 TFLs, eight sacks, two pass breakups and a pick-six.

Honorable mention: CJ West, Indiana (via Kent State)

DL: Aidan Keanaaina, Cal (via Notre Dame)

Cal took a chance on Keanaaina despite his minimal production at Notre Dame and found a gem. The 6-3, 320-pound redshirt junior logged a total of 90 snaps on defense over four seasons in South Bend but has started every game for the Bears and has played 348 snaps, recording 33 stops, 2.5 TFLs and a sack as an effective run-stuffing defensive tackle.

Honorable mention: Sebastian Valdez, Washington (via Montana State)

LB: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (via Utah State)

Dolac left Buffalo after an injury-shortened 2023 season and spent one semester at Utah State before deciding to go back in the portal in May and rejoin the Bulls under new coach Pete Lembo and his staff. The 6-1, 225-pound senior has been a nonstop playmaker this season and is the leading tackler in FBS with 137 stops, including 66 solo tackles, plus 12.5 TFLs, three sacks, four pass breakups and five interceptions, including a 60-yard pick-six against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday night.

Honorable mention: Aiden Fisher, Indiana (via James Madison)

LB: Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina (via Charlotte)

Knight, a sixth-year senior, spent four years at Georgia Tech before emerging as an All-AAC defender at Charlotte last season. The 6-2, 245-pound linebacker opted to stay in school one more year and test his luck in the SEC. He has been a huge addition for South Carolina, bringing a lot of production (63 tackles, six TFLs, two sacks, two forced fumbles) and, more importantly, a ton of leadership for the No. 18 Gamecocks.

Honorable mention: Jake Golday, Cincinnati (via Central Arkansas)

LB: Teddye Buchanan, Cal (via UC Davis)

Buchanan, a Bay Area native, hit the portal in December and chose to stay close to home by picking the Bears for his final season of eligibility. The 6-2, 235-pound inside linebacker had no trouble adjusting to the move up from FCS and has been a sideline-to-sideline force for Cal's defense, ranking second in the ACC with 97 tackles and producing 11 TFLs, five sacks, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Honorable mention: Kolbe Fields, Louisiana Tech (via LSU); Nikhai Hill-Green, Colorado (via Charlotte)

CB: D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana (via James Madison)

The 5-9, 170-pound cover man enjoyed an impressive debut season at JMU and picked up Freshman All-America honors, and now he's shining in the Big Ten under Cignetti. Ponds ranks third among Big Ten corners in yards per attempt allowed (3.8), giving up just 17 catches for 144 passing yards on 38 attempts according to TruMedia. He has allowed one touchdown and has grabbed two interceptions, including a 67-yard pick-six against Washington, while also recording 45 tackles and six pass breakups.

Honorable mention: Kempton Shine, Virginia (via Eastern Michigan)

CB: Terrence Spence, James Madison (via Holy Cross)

James Madison had lots of needs in its lineup after Cignetti's departure, but new coach Bob Chesney and his staff clearly knew what they were doing, too. Spence spent four years with these coaches at Holy Cross and eventually developed into an All-Patriot League performer in 2023. This year, he has been one of the best defenders in the Sun Belt and is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Spence's five interceptions (including a pick-six in the 70-50 upset of North Carolina) are tied for second-most in FBS, and he's allowing catches on just 42% of his targets this season, per TruMedia.

Honorable mention: Mac McWilliams, UCF (via UAB)

S: Xavion Alford, Arizona State (via USC)

After one season at Texas and two at USC, the former ESPN 300 recruit is pulling off an impressive comeback with the Sun Devils. Alford missed the entire 2022 season with a leg injury and the NCAA wouldn't grant him a waiver to play in 2023 as a repeat transfer. Alford is now back and better than ever after his two-year absence. The 6-foot, 200-pound junior has recorded 65 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions while helping the Sun Devils emerge as a serious Big 12 contender in their first year in the league.

Honorable mention: Yam Banks, Ole Miss (via South Alabama)

S: Jalen Catalon, UNLV (via Texas)

Catalon developed into an All-SEC performer at Arkansas in 2020 but dealt with several injury setbacks over four seasons with the Razorbacks and one with Texas. Now that he's finally healthy, Catalon has been a serious difference-maker for the No. 24 Rebels. The 5-11, 205-pound senior has five interceptions, including a pick-six against Houston, and has put up 73 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble while bringing valuable leadership for a team with Mountain West title and College Football Playoff ambitions.

Honorable mention: Kitan Crawford, Nevada (via Texas)

Special teams

PK: Upton Bellenfant, Buffalo (via Alabama)

Lembo is one of the best special teams coaches in the country and sure knows how to evaluate specialists. He found another gem in Bellenfant, a former Alabama walk-on who has converted 13 of his 15 field goal attempts on the year -- including a 37-yard game winner to upset Northern Illinois -- and all 25 of his extra point tries. Bellenfant has made four of his five kicks from 40-plus yards and also handles kickoff duties.

Honorable mention: Laith Marjan, South Alabama (via ECU)

P: Ryan Heicher, Arkansas State (via Saginaw Valley State)

Heicher made a big move up after three seasons at the Division II level and has been one of the most effective punters in the Group of 5 this season. The senior is averaging 43.2 yards per punt with 18 punts dropped inside the 20-yard line and eight inside the 10. His average hang time of 4.16 seconds leads all G5 punters and ranks 12th-best in FBS, according to TruMedia.

Honorable mention: Tyler Pastula, San Diego State (via Albany)

Returner: Winston Wright Jr., East Carolina (via Florida State)

Wright, a sixth-year senior, was an All-Big 12 performer at West Virginia but endured a brutal setback after transferring to Florida State in 2022, a season-ending leg injury suffered in a car accident. He put in the hard work to recover and is back to being a difference-maker at ECU, where he's leading FBS in kickoff return yards with 569. Wright scored on a 94-yard return against Charlotte and has also produced 581 total yards and seven TDs on offense.

Honorable mention: Myles Price, Indiana (via Texas Tech)