College football transfer rankings: Best players available in 2022

The transfer portal has forever changed the way college football programs create and fine-tune their rosters. This offseason has seen several elite, game-changing players take a chance on a transfer and set their sights on a new school.

In total, more than 2,000 players have entered their names into the portal, creating a frenzy for schools to target new additions and attract fresh talent.

Several blue-chip players have already made their intentions known. Former 5-star Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams is headed to USC, as is former Oregon running back Travis Dye and OU wideout Mario Williams.

Two USC quarterbacks are on the move — Kedon Slovis to Pitt and Jaxson Dart to Ole Miss. One-time Ohio State quarterback and generational 5-star prospect Quinn Ewers is going back to Texas and Georgia's top wideout from a year ago, Jermaine Burton, switched to Alabama, along with former Georgia Tech back Jahmyr Gibbs.

College Football HQ has been keeping tabs on the best players still available this preseason. Scroll through to see the 10 best currently on the market.

College football transfer rankings: Best players available in 2022

10. Cody Jackson

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: Oklahoma

Jackson was a former top 150 recruit and one of the very best wide receiver prospects in the state of Texas before originally landing at OU last season. He redshirted his first year in college, catching five passes for 45 yards while appearing in two non-conference games. Jackson has the kind of straight line speed and burst that can develop him into a genuine deep field threat for whoever signs him.

9. Clay Webb

Where he plays: Offensive line

Where he was: Georgia

A former consensus 5-star recruit as a lineman, Webb decided to enter the transfer portal on April 10 following three seasons with Georgia and coming off the national championship, but still not getting any prominent reps as he remained buried on the Bulldogs' depth chart. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Webb had a lot of elite offers coming out of high school, who could come calling again to sign the blocker.

8. Demond Demas

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: Texas A&M

Demas was a former 5-star recruit coming out of high school in Texas and with A&M emerged as a potent outside threat, catching 15 passes for 235 yards and a score last season. But he entered the transfer portal in March following an arrest by police in connection to an assault family violence charge after an alleged incident which later led to more charges and an additional assault.

7. Cam Johnson

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: Vanderbilt

Johnson has been a productive outlet for the Dores, catching 124 passes for 1,233 yards and 10 touchdowns in 26 appearances from 2018 to last season. He entered the transfer portal back in November, with Ole Miss emerging as a top target to sign the receiver, who brings some potent speed on the outside. Even if his production dipped a little last year, catching 34 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

6. Ricky Pearsall

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: Arizona State

Pearsall led ASU with 48 receptions, 580 yards, and four touchdowns last season and earned honorable mention Pac-12 honors. But with Jayden Daniels out of the picture, the Tempe native decided to move on. A dynamic option both on the perimeter and in the slot, Pearsall brings two more years of NCAA eligibility. Watch for Florida in the race to sign the receiver after he took a visit to the Gators.

5. Gerry Bohanon

Where he plays: Quarterback

Where he was: Baylor

Bohanon waited for his chance at Baylor, and when he got it, proved a worthwhile leader for this offense, ranking fourth overall in total offense in the Big 12 with 2,517 yards a year ago. He passed for 18 touchdowns, rushed for nine more, and threw seven interceptions. Injury kept Bohanon from playing in the Big 12 title game, and he then lost the starting job to Blake Shapen in the spring. Now he emerges looking for a new school to start for with two years of eligibility.

4. Jaylon Robinson

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: UCF

The wideout landed at UCF after starting his college football career at Oklahoma and turned into one of the AAC's best skill players. He placed third in the league two seasons ago with 979 yards off 55 catches with six touchdowns. A knee injury slowed his 2021 season, but Robinson still had two TDs off 18 catches for 322 yards. Now, he's fully healthy with two years of eligibility to burn.

3. Deion Smith

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: LSU

A native of Mississippi, and the consensus top prospect from that state, the receiver had one heck of an outing against Central Michigan, scoring twice off five catches for 135 yards. Injury slowed the rest of his season, and he caught just four combined passes the rest of the way. But he brings a lot of speed and raw talent, and should be an immediate help to any team that needs a change in their receiver room.

2. Jermayne Lole

Where he plays: Defensive tackle

Where he was: Arizona State

One of the most aggressive interior linemen in the Pac-12 in recent years, Lole could return to the Sun Devils, where he moved into a starting role back in the 2018 campaign. He has 123 tackles, 62 quarterback pressures, 20 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks in his career. Lole missed all of last season because of a triceps injury and wasn't in practice this spring, but should be healthy and ready going forward.

1. Jordan Addison

Where he plays: Wide receiver

Where he was: Pittsburgh

And to Pittsburgh he may end up returning, at least according to the reports. But the top wideout on the market this offseason is looking for greener pastures. One of them could be USC, where the experts think he'll ultimately land. But don't forget Alabama, whose quarterback — Heisman winner Bryce Young — was working out with Addison recently. The receiver is coming off an elite season, leading college football with 17 touchdowns off 100 catches and 1,593 yards as the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's best receiver.

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