Preseason FCS football training camps are nearing around the country, and plenty of FCS rosters will have a new look this fall after players moved in and out of the transfer portal all offseason.
Let’s look at what you may have missed from FCS teams in the transfer portal heading into 2024.
South Dakota State enters 2024 with the last two FCS titles to its name — and a big part of its run has come from its dominant offensive line. While Gus Miller and Evan Beernsten return, star offensive linemen Mason McCormick and Garret Greenfield are gone to the NFL, and John O’Brian has departed, too.
The Jackrabbits have retooled with the additions of Sam Hagen, the starting guard at North Dakota last season, and Marcus Hicks, a former four-star recruit transferring from Oklahoma. Those two figure to compete for starting jobs to protect reigning Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Mark Gronowski, who turned down transfer portal offers this offseason.
BACK-TO-BACK: How South Dakota State repeated as FCS champions in 2023
Quarterback Clifton McDowell led Montana to the FCS title game last year in his lone year with the Grizzlies, but he transferred to McNeese after a stop at Temple this offseason. One of McDowell’s backups, Sam Vidlak, also hit the portal this offseason and is headed to Stephen F. Austin. The opens up Montana quarterback for highly regarded freshman Keali’i Ah Yat.
Defensively, the Grizzlies will have to replace elite defensive lineman Alex Gubner, so they brought in Patrick Hayden from Monmouth and Andres Lehrmann from Youngstown State. Another interesting defensive transfer came in-state as defensive back Kade Culter went from Montana State to the Grizzlies.
ETSU hired Tre Lamb from Gardner-Webb as its new head coach after Lamb led GWU to the playoffs last season. Lamb brought his guys with him as 20 players from Gardner-Webb transferred to ETSU.
One of those players was quarterback Jaylen King, the starter for the Runnin’ Bulldogs last fall. However, he’ll face competition from fellow transfer quarterback Cole Doyle of Saint Francis (PA). Doyle was the 2022 NEC Offensive Player of the Year and a Walter Payton Award finalist before transferring to ETSU.
Interestingly, former ETSU quarterback Tyler Riddell transferred to Gardner-Webb.
After helping Mercer to its first-ever FCS playoff berth and win, quarterback Carter Peevy transferred to Maine in the offseason. There also was a trio of quarterbacks from the FBS that used to play in the FCS that transferred back to the FCS.
Bronson Barron played at Weber State in 2022, leading the Wildcats to the second round before transferring to Western Kentucky in 2023. Now Barron is headed to Southern Utah in 2024. Carlos Davis threw for 433 yards and six touchdowns in a game while at Western Carolina in 2022 before transferring to UMass for the 2023 season. He’ll play for Towson in 2024. Ren Hefley threw for an FCS single-game record 10 touchdowns in 2021 before playing JuCo in 2022 and playing for Middle Tennessee State in 2023. Hefley’s back in the FCS in 2024 at Gardner-Webb.
NEW FACES, NEW PLACES: Tracking FCS conference realignment changes in 2024
Big-time playmakers made big-time moves in the transfer portal this offseason. All-American running back Malik Grant is headed to Rhode Island from Sacred Heart. At wide receiver, 2021 Jerry Rice Award finalist Jacari Carter will return to the FCS, transferring to UAlbany from Georgia State. Carter will fill a void for the Great Danes after Roy Alexander transferred to UIW.
Two of the best HBCU wideouts in recent years, Devin Smith (North Carolina Central) and Romon Copeland (Hampton), will also have new homes. Smith heads north to Villanova and Copeland heads west to Austin Peay.
CHANGES: What the past FCS playoffs might’ve looked like under 2024’s new 16 seeded teams change
In 2022, Khalil Baker was one of the top cornerbacks in the entire FCS, with an argument as the best. While Baker dropped off slightly in 2023, he was still very good last fall. Now, the former Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP, Aeneas Williams Award winner, MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-American heads from North Carolina Central to Elon. Baker will stay in North Carolina but head to the CAA.
Quarterback Andrew Body, linebacker Rico Dozier and defensive back Robert McDaniel all transferred from one HBCU to another during the offseason. Alabama State picked up Body from Texas Southern and Dozier from Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Both former All-SWAC players could have an impact from Day 1. Meanwhile, Jackson State snatched McDaniel from rival Alcorn State.
2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish
If those transfers weren’t intriguing enough, here’s a look at 50 notable FCS players who have played their final FCS snaps by transferring to the FBS level.
