Ranking best players in 2024 college football transfer portal - ESPN

The 2024-25 transfer portal cycle has seen plenty of action as it moves into its second month.

As college football moves into the revenue-sharing era in 2025, we saw thousands enter the winter transfer window, which was open from Dec. 9 to Dec. 28.

Who are the top players you need to know? In an effort to keep track of the most coveted players on the move, ESPN is ranking the best players who entered the transfer portal. The following players have entered the portal or have announced their intentions to transfer and should be among the most highly recruited players. We're also adding scouting reports from ESPN analysts Tom Luginbill and Billy Tucker on the top 50, and we have expanded the ranking to 75 overall.

Transfers are ranked based on their production, experience, potential and demand, as well as feedback from coaches throughout the sport. This is a fluid list we'll update frequently as more players enter the portal and make commitments.

More portal coverage:
Ranking the best portal classes (ESPN+)
Ranking the top transfer QBs (ESPN+)

Transferring from: Washington State | Transferring to: Oklahoma
Seasons remaining: 2

HT: 6-1 | WT: 219 | Class: Redshirt sophomore

Background: After spending two years behind Cam Ward, Mateer put together an impressive breakout season at Washington State in 2024 that made him one of the most coveted starting QBs in the country. Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns on 65% passing and ranked fourth among FBS starters with 1,032 rushing yards (excluding sacks) while scoring 15 rushing TDs. He's explosive and fearless when he's on the run, accounting for 58 forced missed tackles, according to ESPN Research (most among FBS QBs), and 22 rushes of 15 or more yards. The Little Elm,