There was a significant increase in the number of college football players entering the transfer portal this offseason.
More than ever, coaches used the portal as part of their recruiting strategy to help fill holes on the roster, in part because the NCAA granted every student-athlete an extra year of eligibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The created recruiting dead period that was enacted March, 2020, also resulted in fewer opportunities to evaluate high school recruits. In turn, college football programs are looking at transfers to find more experienced and game-ready players.
In addition, the Division I Council recently approved a one-time transfer waiver that will allow players to transfer and have immediate eligibility. In the past, transfers had to either sit out a year or apply for a waiver to receive immediate eligibility. That waiver will no longer be required for first-time transfers, which makes these players even more valuable.
Here is a look at some of the biggest transfers so far at each position, as well as some highly touted players who are still in the portal.
