Although most transfer portal movement among established quarterbacks and other big names takes place in December and early January, the spring window, which opens April 16, could be especially important this year.
Will anyone initiate a Colorado-like roster overhaul after spring practice? Unlikely. But several notable teams will be studying the portal intensely to fill needs ahead of the 2024 season.
One reason the spring portal could be especially spicy is the elongated coaching carousel, impacted mainly by Nick Saban's retirement at Alabama but also by coaches such as Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) and Jeff Hafley (Boston College) departing for the NFL. The coaches at Michigan, Washington, Alabama and elsewhere didn't really get a chance to capitalize on the winter transfer window, and could be aggressive in the days ahead.
There also have been a handful of key personnel moves since the winter rush ended, including offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor's transfer back to Alabama from Iowa. Since players can transfer multiple times and still be eligible for the 2024 season, some undoubtedly will capitalize even if they made moves a few months ago.
As you buckle up for the spring portal, here's a look at seven schools that will be leaning in and looking out for upgrades:
Michigan Wolverines
Primary need: Quarterback
Michigan's rise from 2-4 in 2020 to three straight Big Ten titles and its first national championship since 1997 can't be pinned on one reason, but transfers certainly factored into the incredible turnaround. Michigan isn't a volume transfer team but has targeted key additions such as center Olu Oluwatimi (Virginia), offensive tackle LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State), linebacker Ernest Hausmann (Nebraska) and edge rusher Josaiah Stewart (Coastal Carolina). The team didn't do much in the winter, although linebacker Jaishawn Barham (Maryland) and offensive lineman Josh Priebe (Northwestern) both can help in the fall.
The big question this spring is what Michigan will do at quarterback after losing J.J. McCarthy to the NFL. Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell, who worked with McCarthy and the other quarterbacks last fall, went through spring practice with a group that lacks field time outside of seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle (at Indiana, no less). Michigan could move forward with Tuttle, Alex Orji, Jayden Denegal or another current player, but the team's portal possibilities will likely be intriguing. Although the Wolverines have been a run-centric, ball-control offense, they are the defending national champions and have a dynamic running back (Donovan Edwards), an elite tight end (Colston Loveland) and other assets for a QB seeking a new destination.
Washington Huskies
Primary need: Offensive line
Of all the programs affected by Saban's retirement and the coaching dominoes that followed, Washington absorbed the most immediate damage. The Huskies lost key players at several positions, but especially along an offensive line that won the 2023 Joe Moore Award as the nation's best group. After coach Kalen DeBoer's departure to Alabama, Washington lost linemen Julius Buelow (Ole Miss), Nate Kalepo (Ole Miss), Geirean Hatchett (Oklahoma), Parker Brailsford (Alabama) and Jalen Klemm (Arizona State). Washington did add San Diego State transfer Drew Azzopardi in December, and Michael Watkins followed new coach Jedd Fisch to UW from Arizona. But the overall depth is a major issue as Fisch and his staff prepare for his first season.
Offensive linemen are always premium portal pickups, especially in the spring, so Washington will have to be both smart and aggressive with who it pursues. The Huskies retained quarterback Will Rogers, the record-setting Mississippi State transfer who briefly reentered the portal after DeBoer's departure, and added some transfers from Arizona and elsewhere. But the team will have a hard time navigating its first year in the Big Ten without some more capable bodies along the O-line.
Auburn Tigers
Primary need: Quarterback
After finishing 121st nationally in passing last season, Auburn made an offensive coordinator change (Philip Montgomery to Derrick Nix) and promoted a new quarterbacks coach (Kent Austin). Despite some initial attempts to add a quarterback in the winter transfer period, the room stayed the same, and backup Robby Ashford's transfer to South Carolina underscored the need for another established quarterback. Auburn went through spring with Payton Thorne, who has three years of FBS starting experience and could recapture what he did in 2021 at Michigan State (3,240 pass yards, 27 touchdowns). Thorne worked with the first-team offense in practice this spring and certainly could keep the job, but Auburn also saw middling performances from him last season.
Auburn would offer transfer quarterbacks the chance to start for an SEC team and run an exciting system for a coach in Hugh Freeze who has successfully developed players at multiple programs. The Tigers added some help with Georgia State wideout Robert Lewis, Maryland tight end Rico Walker and Cal's Sam Jackson V, an explosive athlete who played quarterback at Cal and TCU but is moving to receiver. Auburn also could look for more help at defensive line and in the secondary, after signing eight players in the spring portal in 2023.
Miami Hurricanes
Primary need(s): Running back, defensive back
Mario Cristobal is always pedal-down in the personnel space, and the spring portal should be no different. He recently told reporters the team will be "very aggressive" in pursuing transfers later this month. The Hurricanes already added quarterback Cam Ward from Washington State, who some coaches think could be the biggest prize in the QB transfer market. Although Miami returns receivers Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and others, another target for Ward won't hurt. Expectations are high for sophomores Mark Fletcher Jr. and Ajay Allen, but the running back room thinned with the transfers of Henry Parrish Jr. (Ole Miss) and Donald Chaney Jr. (Louisville). Fletcher also suffered a significant foot injury in Miami's bowl game, so the team could use another experienced ball carrier or two to fortify the group.
Miami returns cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., safety Jaden Davis and others in the secondary, and picked up a key winter transfer in Washington's Mishael Powell, who started 25 games over the past three seasons and tied for the team lead with three interceptions in 2023. But the overall depth could be improved, especially with a few players who bring more starting experience, especially to the cornerback/nickel spot.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Primary need: Defensive back
Kalen DeBoer's roster management -- like just about everything he does in taking over for Nick Saban -- will be closely monitored. DeBoer's first month on the job felt much longer, as he scrambled to finalize the coaching staff and limit a significant portal exodus. Alabama ultimately retained a key offensive lineman in Proctor but suffered some significant departures in the back of its defense, most notably safety Caleb Downs to Ohio State. The Tide are replacing other standouts in the defensive backfield with Terrion Arnold (five interceptions, 12 pass breakups in 2023) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (seven pass breakups) off to the NFL. Alabama already added two notable transfers in Domani Jackson (USC) and Keon Sabb (Michigan), and the program returns notable players such as safety Malachi Moore, a starter and captain in 2023.
The overall experience level is lacking, though, and Alabama can offer playing time at one of the nation's premier programs, especially for DBs. The Tide also might look for an edge rusher or two, as they lose Dallas Turner and Justin Eboigbe, who combined for 18 sacks last fall. Line coach Freddie Roach is the only holdover from Saban's defensive staff, and the new coaches can be aggressive in the spring portal in areas they feel are lacking.
Kansas State Wildcats
Primary need: Offensive line
Coach Chris Klieman's teams are always built at the line of scrimmage, but Kansas State faces some depth challenges on its offensive front. The Wildcats lose All-American guard Cooper Beebe and three other starters from a group that has helped the team rank No. 9 nationally in rushing average (206.3 yards per game) and No. 7 in rushing touchdowns (64) during the past two seasons. Senior Hadley Panzer has been a mainstay at right guard, and senior Carver Willis started seven games at right tackle in 2023. But the group will have a new look this fall.
Kansas State added only one offensive line transfer in the winter -- North Dakota's Easton Kilty, who boasts starting experience at both tackle and guard. The team could use another lineman or two with starting experience, and can be aggressive this spring. Quality linemen are rare, but Kansas State is an appealing destination for those who want to operate in a run-centric offense under a staff that develops players very well.
LSU Tigers
Primary need: Defensive line
LSU's defense gets a much-needed reset after finishing 78th nationally in points allowed and 115th against the pass. The unit always has talent and returns some potential standouts, especially linebackers Harold Perkins Jr. and Greg Penn III. There are, however, some trouble spots, especially along the defensive line, which struggled to generate consistent pressure and stop the run. Defensive tackle is an obvious need after the NFL departures of Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo, who combined for seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss last season. Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee both were part of LSU's rotation in 2023, combining for 50 tackles, but neither was a starter.
The program can offer playing time and the chance to work with coach Bo Davis, a former LSU defensive lineman who recently upgraded Texas' line and has coached 17 all-conference players and seven All-American selections in a career that included two stints at Alabama. LSU added to its secondary in the winter transfer period with Austin Ausberry and others, but the Tigers would be wise to pick up a few capable options for Davis and new defensive coordinator Blake Baker.