We're through the first two weeks of the transfer portal and things are seemingly finally slowing down. The initial wave of players entering the transfer portal is now over and we've seen the number of entries slow down significantly. As players continue to pick their next teams before the dead period, five SEC teams are standing out as clear winners of the transfer portal while others look like clear losers thus far.
Winner: LSU Tigers
Thus far, LSU has gone out and dominated the transfer portal ranking 2nd behind only Texas Tech in 24/7 Sports' team transfer portal rankings. Pick any position and the Tigers have upgraded the room, and have done so with top end talent. The Tigers added two wide receivers that could go over 1,000 yards next season in Barion Brown and Nic Anderson. LSU also added Oklahoma Tight End Bauer Sharp and Virginia Tech offensive lineman Braelin Moore who will be impact players next season and Michael Van Buren who will compete to be the quarterback of the future.
On defense, LSU has added three edge rushers and a defensive tackle revamping their defensive line adding Patrick Payton, Jack Pyburn, Sydir Mitchell, and Jimari Butler. On the back end LSU added two cornerbacks that will start from Day One in Mansoor Delane and Ja'Keem Jackson bringing in an embarrassment of riches.
Loser: Florida Gators
Down the stretch of the College Football season, no one was more exciting than Florida's Freshman Quarterback DJ Lagway. Given how impressive he was and Florida doubling down on Billy Napier, it was expected that the Gators would be all in using the transfer portal. Through the first two weeks of the transfer cycle, the Gators have landed just three transfers.
One of the Gators transfer is a punter, another is a quarterback, and the one that may truly help is wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant. There is still time for Florida to go out and add difference makers in this transfer class but, given how the Gators closed the season it shocking they haven't been more aggressive.
Winner: Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin has made it a yearly tradition to load up via the transfer portal and has done the same this cycle landing 14 transfers for the second best class in the SEC. Kiffin lands instant weapons on his offense in Luke Masz, Caleb Odom, De'Zhaun Stribling, Kewan Lacy, and Deuce Alexander. As he rebuilds his defensive line, Kiffin adds edge rushers Princewill Umanmielen and Da'Shawn Womack. Overall, its a typical Ole Miss transfer class, a ton of big names and some under the radar pieces that should contribute from day one.
Loser: South Carolina Gamecocks
Just like the Florida Gators, South Carolina seemed like a team poised to clean up in the transfer portal based on how they finished the season. The Gamecocks have landed just four transfers headlined by Jaylen Brown who can replace Kyle Kennard at edge rusher. The issue with the Gamecocks class is that only tight end Jordan Dingle can help LaNorris Sellers and the offense in getting to that next level and competing for the Playoff.
Winner: Oklahoma Sooners
While Oklahoma lost key pieces like Nic Anderson, Jackson Arnold, and others in a class of 23 departures, they're still one of the biggest winners in the transfer portal. That is because Oklahoma reeled in the top transfer in quarterback John Mateer who is reunited with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. After a year of inconsistent quarterback play, the Sooners land Mateer who passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions while rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Loser: Alabama Crimson Tide
While Alabama has landed some nice pieces in Isaiah Horton, Kelby Collins, Cameron Calhoun, and Nikhai Hill-Green this transfer cycle as a whole isn't great for the Tide. Jalen Milroe dominating the rushing attack and only passing to Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard for the most part has had its effect on the Tide. Key offensive pieces and key pieces for the future like Caleb Odom, Emmanuel Henderson, Justice Haynes, Kendrick Law, and Kobe Prentice all leave to Power Four schools. There was always going to be a big wave of outgoing transfers after Nick Saban left but, these losses are more so to Jalen Milroe not spreading the ball around.
Winner: Texas A&M Aggies
After showing players a proof of concept in year one of the Mike Elko era, Texas A&M has started to load up in the transfer portal. On offense, Texas A&M's haul is headlined by Wide Receiver Micah Hudson who was a consensus five star a year ago but, dealt with injuries this season at Texas Tech. On defense, Texas A&M lands an instant starter in Georgia Cornerback Julian Humphrey who started most of the season for the Bulldogs.
Loser: Georgia Bulldogs
While the majority of the teams in the College Football Playoff field were preparing for games, Georgia had the week off to host transfers on visits. The Bulldogs haven't landed a transfer thus far while losing nine players to the transfer portal. Georgia is expected to land Kentucky Wide Receiver Dane Key but, the receiving core was so underwhelming this season Georgia will need to add more.
Winner: Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers taken their underwhelming season and have turned it into an incredible transfer portal haul early on. After a season with no solid quarterback Auburn added Jackson Arnold to a quarterback room that has already landed Five-Star recruit Deuce Knight. Auburn helped its offensive line landing two four-star transfers at tackle in Mason Murphy and Xavier Chaplin. On defense Auburn added Freshman linebacker Xavier Atkins, Dallas Walker, and Taye Seymour. The biggest addition may be on the way as Auburn is expected to land elite wide receiver Eric Singleton.
Loser: Kentucky Wildcats
While the Wildcats incoming transfer class ranks highly, the cycle as a whole is a loss for Kentucky. Barion Brown heads to LSU, Dane Key appears headed to Georgia, Jordan Dingle heads to South Carolina, and several other headliners for the Wildcats are staying within the SEC to be key pieces for opposing teams. Kentucky fans were likely hoping for a better quarterback than Zach Calzada but, it is always the Kentucky teams that no one believes in that end up being the ones that surprise everyone.