Whether it was players joining rosters or new entries into the portal seeking fresh opportunities, player movement was a key storyline of the 2024 season. The winter transfer window -- which ended on Dec. 28, the deadline for entering the portal -- could similarly impact the 2025 season.
More than 2,000 FBS players entered the portal and players will continue to take visits and find new homes. However, some teams have already made significant additions via transfers.
Here's an updated look at 10 teams that have made a big impact with their transfer classes:
1. LSU Tigers
The Tigers are supplementing a top-10 recruiting class with potential impact transfers. The Tigers have added several defensive linemen, including Patrick Payton, who showed at Florida State he can be a productive pass rusher. LSU lost several key targets in their passing attack with receiver Kyren Lacy and tight end Mason Taylor heading to the NFL and CJ Daniels transferring to Miami, but the Tigers have pulled in transfers who can help replace that production in Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky), along with tight end Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma), who was the Sooners' leading receiver this season.
Freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (Mississippi State) gives LSU a young talented backup with SEC experience as a potential successor for Garrett Nussmeier.
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders
To accelerate their progress following an eight-win 2024 season, Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders have been active in the portal with more than a dozen additions. The immediate impact could be felt in the trenches. Coming from UCF, Lee Hunter was one of the top defensive linemen in the Big 12 and should be a plug-and-play addition. His arrival along with that of Romello Height, who was a disruptive edge rusher for Georgia Tech in 2024, should help boost the Red Raiders' pass rush.
Tech also added immediate help on the other side of the ball in offensive linemen Howard Sampson (North Carolina) and Hunter Zambrano (Illinois State). Zambrano makes the jump from the FCS, where he was a multiyear starter, and Sampson can help address a need at tackle. FCS power North Dakota State doesn't lose many players, but safety Cole Wisniewski decided to move on and will give the Red Raiders a former All-American who is a scheme-versatile defender in the secondary.
3. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers put together a highly ranked recruiting class, but having not had a winning season since 2020, they needed upgrades who can help sooner, especially at quarterback. While Auburn signed ESPN 300 signal-caller Deuce Knight, he is not likely a Day 1 starter as a true freshman, so they added Ashton Daniels (Stanford) and Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) from the portal. Arnold, a former five-star prospect, is an intriguing addition as he has SEC starting experience and has been productive with his legs. He struggled as a passer in 2024, but he has the physical tools, and a fresh start could reset his confidence.
Auburn's receiving corps showed improvement this season with freshmen Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons and the Tigers strengthened that unit, landing one of the top transfer receivers in Eric Singleton. A highly productive player at Georgia Tech, catching more than 100 passes in the past two seasons, he gives Auburn a reliable target. Grouping Singleton with Coleman and Simmons could elevate Auburn's receivers from one of the worst units in the SEC to one of the best.
4. Texas A&M Aggies
Mike Elko's recruiting class featured 14 ESPN 300 signees, but he needed to further strengthen a roster that has seen a lot of attrition. With the departures of key receivers Jahdae Walker and Jabre Barber, the Aggies pulled several receivers out of the portal. Among them was KC Concepcion (NC State), who was the ACC rookie of the year in 2023 and had 53 catches in 2024. Losing several tight ends to either graduation or transfer, A&M added more depth there as well.
On defense, Georgia transfer Julian Humphrey gives the Aggies a lengthy and explosive corner who comes with plenty of game experience.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels have consistently found success in the portal with players such as receiver Tre Harris, linebacker Chris Paul Jr., and defensive tackle Walter Nolen being key contributors in 2024.
As their roster turns over, Ole Miss remains active in the portal in their hunt for an SEC title. The Rebels are losing more than 120 catches from the 2024 team, so adding receiver Deuce Alexander (Wake Forest) and tight end Luke Hasz (Arkansas) will help. Alexander brings plenty of eligibility and has big-play potential with excellent vertical speed. Hasz, a 2023 ESPN 300 prospect, showed flashes during an injury-shortened freshman season.
Also coming over from Arkansas is one of the top offensive linemen available, Patrick Kutas, who could help address departures from the line's interior.
6. Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats' first losing season since 2020 has them looking to bounce back in 2025 with transfers poised to be a big part of that process. With Brock Vandagriff retiring and backup Gavin Wimsatt leaving, Kentucky will look to another transfer quarterback to lead the offense in the experienced and strong-armed Zach Calzada (Incarnate Word). Calzada has spent time with Texas A&M, Auburn and most recently FCS Incarnate Word, where he threw for more than 3,500 yards and 35 TDs. Receiver Kendrick Law arrives from Alabama, where he contributed for three seasons. He is a versatile player with good speed.
Alex Wollschlaeger, a multiyear offensive line starter on a Bowling Green team that steadily improved during his tenure, is a good addition. Another good pickup out of the MAC, this time on the defensive side of the ball, is pass-rush specialist Kameron Olds, who comes from Kent State.
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Leading rusher Davon Booth could return, but the Bulldogs can further improve their ground attack, which finished near the bottom of the SEC. Fluff Bothwell, one of the top rushers in the portal, is coming off a successful freshman campaign at South Alabama, where he had almost as many rushing TDs (13) as the Bulldogs had as a team (19).
Mississippi State lost multiple QBs, including freshman Michael Van Buren Jr., who shouldered most of the load during the season. The Bulldogs are bringing in Luke Kromenhoek from Florida State, a 2024 ESPN 300 prospect. On defense, Red Hibbler, an explosive pass rusher who was a top junior college prospect in 2023, could help improve a unit that was last in the SEC in sacks.
8. Florida State Seminoles
Some missteps with transfer additions played a role in FSU's disastrous 2024 season, but a return to the portal could help the Noles turn things around in 2025. Tight end Duce Robinson (USC) could be a big-play threat at the position. He was an ESPN 300 prospect in the 2023 class and a two-sport standout (baseball). The tall, rangy hybrid can stretch the field and win contested matchups.
QB Thomas Castellanos (Boston College) is an interesting pickup having previously played in Gus Malzahn's offense at UCF. Castellanos is a dynamic dual threat who can create when things break down but can also be erratic with his passing accuracy. To help give a needed boost to their offensive line, the Seminoles added several players, including the big-bodied and experienced Micah Pettus (Ole Miss) and Luke Petitbon (Wake Forest), a tough player with starting experience in the ACC.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers had some losses at receiver in the portal but also landed one the best on the market with Dane Key (Kentucky). Key was one of the most accomplished receivers in the SEC during his tenure, with a rare combination of size and ball skills to go along with a polished route tree.
On defense, lineman Williams Nwaneri did not make a five-star-level impact at Missouri but a change in scenery could help this amazing talent who has a rare blend of size and speed. While he is not an edge player, he still has the potential to fill a pass-rush void left by Princewill Umanmielen (transferring to Ole Miss). Linebacker Mikai Gbayor, who transferred to Missouri, had good production this past season, but Nebraska is hoping former ESPN 300 prospect Dasan McCullough can shake the injury bug and fill some of the void coming over from Oklahoma.
10. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers went 5-7 this season and missed a bowl game, but Luke Fickell has attacked the portal in search of necessary depth. On offense, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol can stretch the field and is a big, productive talent with a massive catch radius. Also joining him out of the Group of 5 is Idaho wide receiver Mark Hamper, who had 966 yards and six scores in 2024.
The QB room just got better as well, adding two productive starters in Maryland's Billy Edwards Jr. and San Diego State's Danny O'Neil. They combined for more than 5,000 yards passing in 2024 and will compete to take the reins behind center in 2025.