The transfer portal opened over a week ago. An initial wave of players flooded the market, and the chaos continued into week two. Even teams preparing for the College Football Playoff are feeling it.
An entire team can’t be built through the transfer portal, but landing top players and finding value where you can is key to winning in this era of college football.
Perhaps more important than landing players is holding on to the ones already in the house. The more players a team has entering the portal, the more chaotic the transfer season gets. Coaches want to avoid that.
Every year, we see a few teams have a mass exodus. Sometimes, it’s following a coaching change; at times, it signals a change is on the horizon. Sometimes, you
Today, we’ll look at the five SEC teams that have lost the most in the transfer portal thus far, including a look at where LSU football ranks.
Note: Data is from On3’s Industry Rankings. Teams are ranked by who lost the most total talent, not just the highest volume of transfers.
5. LSU Tigers
LSU’s roster has one of the highest blue-chip rates in the country. If most players on the roster are four-star recruits, that means most players that leave are four-star recruits.
Sixteen Tigers have entered the portal so far. On3’s average rating for LSU players in the portal is 79.94, giving the Tigers the second-highest average lost in the SEC.
In total, LSU only four teams have lost more than LSU from a rating standpoint.
But this isn’t something LSU needs to be concerned about. Most LSU players in the portal were depth pieces with the Tigers. Several of the transfers have potential, and there are going to be a few LSU wishes stuck around.
LSU’s biggest loss thus far has been wide receiver CJ Daniels. The veteran receiver spent one year in Baton Rouge after transferring from Liberty. Daniels is garnering interest from several SEC programs.
4. Kentucky Wildcats
The average rating of Kentucky’s portal losses isn’t as high as other SEC teams, but 20 Wildcats have entered the portal so far.
Kentucky’s NIL operation can’t compete with top programs in the conference, and we’re seeing UK lose impact players. LSU was one of the beneficiaries, with wide receiver Baton Brown transferring to Baton Rouge. On Tuesday, receiver Dane Key announced his commitment to Georgia.
Both Brown and Key were among the top receivers in the portal, and losing them was a significant blow to Kentucky’s offense.
Kentucky had some tough times in 2024 and could be in store for more next year if the transfer portal is any indication.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s first year in the SEC didn’t go to plan. The offense was a mess as the Sooners switched back and forth between Jackson Arnold and Micheal Hawkins at quarterback.
Twenty-four Sooners have entered the portal so far, third most in the SEC. The average rating of the losses is 73.54, meaning there’s legit talent leaving Norman.
Two Oklahoma transfers have signed with LSU — tight end Bauer Sharp and wide receiver Nic Anderson.
Also notable was Arnold’s transfer within the conference, going to play for Hugh Freeze at Auburn.
The Sooners are hoping an aggressive approach of their own can offset the losses.
2. Mississippi State Bulldogs
The mass exodus from Mississippi State is no surprise as head coach Jeff Lebby continues his complete rebuild entering year two.
Twenty-five Bulldogs have hit the portal, including starting quarterback Michael Van Buren, who signed with LSU.
Turnover across the roster is needed for a Mississippi State team that was the worst in the SEC. This is what a rebuild looks like in the modern era of college football. If you do it right, you can turn it around fast.
Lebby is giving Bulldog fans reason for hope, though. Earlier this week, Mississippi State added one of the portal’s top QBs.
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas’ portal situation is the most dire of all. The Razorbacks have lost 27 players to the transfer portal, several of which were already or expected to be key contributors.
The losses are magnified on the offensive line. Three former Razorback offensive linemen are in the portal with a four-star rating. Arkansas lost TE Luke Hasz, too, one of the top tight ends in the conference.
On defense, Arkansas’ secondary took a hit with TJ Metcalf and Jaylon Braxton on their way out.
Arkansas fans were disappointed with the 2024 season, and the volume of portal departures doesn’t offer much optimism for 2025.