The transfer portal has reshaped college football in its brief existence. New coaches can swiftly rebuild their roster, players can find new opportunities by stepping down a level, or stars in smaller leagues can prove themselves against tougher competition. No longer are athletes stuck in undesirable situations; they can move to find better environments, better coaching, better academics, or better NIL paydays. Oh, and an emerging multimedia outlet covering college football found inspiration for its name. (Thank you for reading!)

All of these are better for the health of the sport, although they do come with heartache for fans as an established star or promising prospect might leave for a new home. But the portal giveth as well as it taketh away, and these players will be delighting new fanbases in 2023 and beyond.

Below is a list of 10 excellent non-quarterbacks who have publicly submitted their paperwork to enter the transfer portal as of 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 6. This list is not from a scout’s perspective, nor is it comprehensive, nor does it include players speculated to transfer, like Jackson State’s DB Travis Hunter. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most coveted prizes of this offseason.

10. Gunner Britton OT — Western Kentucky

The first of two All-Conference USA tackles, Gunner Britton thrived in his first year as a full-time starter in the Hilltoppers offense. He allowed only 10 quarterback pressures all season in 617 pass protection snaps, and he did so while sliding over from right to left tackle in midseason to protect Austin Reed’s blind side. 

9. Dante Cephas WR — Kent State

Dante Cephas has starred for the last two years in Sean Lewis’ “Fast Flash” offense at Kent State and will be looking for a new home as Lewis joins Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado. Cephas has been the best receiver in the MAC for the past two seasons, although his statistics waned this November while he battled an injury. He has shown he can produce against major conference defenses, totaling 28 receptions and 360 yards in Kent State’s six “buy games” against Power Five schools over the last two years.

8. Dasan McCullough EDGE — Indiana

Dasan McCullough has not been as productive at the college level as many of the established veterans on this list. His package is more potential and upside than proven commodity. This blue-chipper from the 2022 high school class accumulated four sacks in part-time play this year as a true freshman. He committed to Indiana while his father was on Tom Allen’s staff; the key word in that sentence is the past participle “was,” as Deland McCullough is now the running backs coach at Notre Dame. Whether Dasan reunites with his father remains to be seen, but the school that lands him will get three years of eligibility of a high-caliber talent.

7. Jeremiah Byers OT — UTEP

The other all-conference performer from the C-USA, Jeremiah Byers has started every game for the Miners in the last two seasons at right tackle. He has allowed only five sacks in that span and grades highly in PFF’s marks for both pass protection and run blocking. Byers has “graduated” from Conference USA, so to speak, and it’s time to see him ply his trade against the best sport has to offer.

6. Ali Jennings III WR — Old Dominion

Ali Jennings III has been a dominant force for the Monarchs after beginning his career with West Virginia. He spent most of 2022 at the very top of the FBS receiving yards leaderboard before an injury first limited his production, then ultimately required surgery and landed him on the shelf. In his two seasons at Old Dominion, he finished with 116 catches for 2,025 yards and 14 touchdowns. Jennings is a proven star and will instantly be the No. 1 option of almost every wide receiver room in the country.

5. Josaiah Stewart EDGE — Coastal Carolina

Josaiah Stewart is the latest in the ebb of talent from Myrtle Beach after head coach Jamey Chadwell left for Liberty. This young star’s box score statistics fell off in 2022, although his underlying play improved. In 2021 as a true freshman, his 41 QB pressures turned into 12.5 sacks; this season, his 40 pressures ended in only 3.5 sacks. His rush defense grading improved according to PFF charting, despite the dramatic collapse around him of the Chanticleers stop unit in 2022. Stewart will have two years of eligibility left and will help his new team set the edge while also getting after the passer. 

4. Levi Bell DT — Texas State

Levi Bell started his career at Louisiana Tech before transferring to Texas State before the 2021 season. Sun Belt offensive linemen will be happy to see Bell moving on after he dominated the league in his short stint. He recorded 66 stops in 2022, and he is a beast rushing the passer from the middle. His play up front was one of the key reasons for the surprising competence of the Bobcats defense. 

3. Dominic Lovett WR — Missouri

The presence of all-galaxy recruit Luther Burden III out wide allowed Dominic Lovett to stick at his natural position of slot receiver after spending his 2021 freshman year bouncing inside and outside. Lovett was excellent in the best conference in football, racking up 846 yards and earning First-Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press. His production is even more impressive when you consider the shortcomings of his quarterback Brady Cook, and his midseason ankle injury that left him visibly limited. 

2. Ajani Cornelius OT — Rhode Island

This New York City native is going to be the biggest apple of the eye for every college football coach. Ajani Cornelius has prototypical size for the position at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, and he was dominant in his sophomore year at Rhode Island. This late bloomer deserves to be playing at the highest level of college football and will do so in 2023 and beyond.

1. Fentrell Cypress II CB — Virginia

Fentrell Cypress II emerged as one of the best cover corners in the ACC this season, allowing only 18 receptions on 40 targets. These numbers are not deflated by being a standout corner opposite schlubs, giving quarterbacks easy reasons to avoid him: his teammate Anthony Johnson was also an all-conference cornerback and is headed to an NFL career. Cypress excels at one of the most important positions in the modern game and will be an instant impact player at any school in the country.

Honorable Mentions: 

Jaheim Bell TE — South Carolina

Traeshon Holden WR — Alabama

Andre Carter EDGE — Western Michigan

Tyrese Chambers WR — FIU

Mason Cobb LB — Oklahoma State

Marquez Cooper RB — Kent State

Grant DuBose WR — Charlotte

Braden Fiske DT — Western Michigan

Trace Ford DE — Oklahoma State

Anthony Goodlow EDGE — Tulsa

Tony Grimes CB — North Carolina

Ernest Hausmann LB — Nebraska 

Darrell Jackson DT — Miami (FL)

Carson Steele RB — Ball State