![Kadyn Proctor [608x342]](https://a.espncdn.com/photo/2024/0415/r1319320_608x342_16-9.jpg)
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College football's spring transfer period opened on April 16. More than 2,000 players transferred during the December transfer period, and while we might not see that volume of players during the spring, it's the final chance for teams to use the portal to fill needs or add to their roster. It's also the last time players can change schools before the season starts.
These rankings will be adjusted as new players enter the portal, and we'll add notes on what each transfer brings to his new program as players commit.
1. Kadyn Proctor, OTTransferring from: Iowa
HT: 6-7 | WT: 360 | Class: Sophomore
Background: The former five-star and top-10 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class lived up to the hype in his first season at Alabama, starting 14 games as a true freshman at left tackle. While his play was inconsistent, his rare blend of size, athleticism and flexibility made up for the inexperience and he finished strong. He is equally impressive in pass protection as he is opening holes with his strength at the point of attack.
Proctor was ESPN's highest-rated prospect ever out of Iowa and initially committed to his hometown Hawkeyes as a high schooler before flipping to Bama. He entered the portal following Nick Saban's retirement and committed to head back to Iowa in January, but that didn't last long. Proctor is back in the portal; all signs point to a return to the Tide, where there are holes at both tackle spots with JC Latham off to the NFL.
2. Damien Martinez, RBTransferring from: Oregon State
HT: 6-0 | WT: 232 | Class: Junior
Background: A consensus three-star out of Texas in 2022, Martinez' combination of size and speed (4.63 40-yard dash) was greatly undervalued. He was named All-Pac-12 First Team with Oregon State as a true freshman after running for 100 or more yards in six consecutive games, the longest streak by a Beavers player since Steven Jackson 2003. He followed that up with 1,185 yards as a sophomore and rushed for over 2,000 yards in two seasons in Corvallis while averaging over 6 yards per carry.
He's an agile, power back with great feet in the hole and the straight-line speed to take it the distance. Colleges slept on Martinez out of high school, but no one is overlooking the plug-and-play, every-down back now.
3. Dayon Hayes, DLTransferring from: Pittsburgh
H: 6-3 | W: 265 | Class: Senior
Background: Hayes was one of the most disruptive front-seven defenders in the ACC last season, utilizing a high motor and athletic skill set off the edge to pressure the quarterback. He carried his weight well in high school and continued to add bulk and strength at Pitt while retaining his good upfield burst and lateral quickness. That speed-to-power combo led to 27 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks the past four seasons but he can continue to improve as a finisher.
The top defensive signee in the Panthers' 2020 recruiting class, Hayes lacks ideal size, but he makes up for it in scheme versatility. He will be highly coveted for his final season of eligibility.
4. Andrew Chamblee, OTTransferring from: Arkansas
H: 6-6 I W: 304 I Class: Sophomore
Background: Chamblee, the No. 2 prospect in Arkansas in the 2022 and an ESPN 300 recruit, retained his athleticism despite adding more size and strength to his 6-foot-6 frame while redshirting for the Razorbacks. He started eight games as a redshirt freshman and showed flashes at left tackle, earning Freshman All-SEC honors.
Chamblee has exceptional length, but struggled versus more explosive SEC edge rushers and needs to add more anchor power. The SEC's rule prohibiting players from transferring within conference will actually work in his favor.
5. Elijah Herring, LBTransferring from: Tennessee
H: 6-3 | W: 238 | Class: Junior
Breakdown: A high-upside prospect, Herring signed with the Volunteers as a three-star recruit from Murfreesboro with a raw linebacker skill set. He packed muscle onto his long frame and flashed as a freshman reserve and special teams contributor in Knoxville.
Last season, he took advantage of injuries and moved up the depth chart and the production board. He started 11 games, finishing with a team-high 79 tackles (four for loss) and was a physical presence between the tackles. He also held his own coverage, although it's not his strength. For his career, Herring has 90 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks. Out of high school he was a strong edge player and could fill that role in the right scheme. Keep an eye on movement for his brother Caleb, a former ESPN 300 outside linebacker who has settled in at edge for the Vols.
6. Jacoby Mathews, DBTransferring from: Texas A&M
H: 6-2 | W: 215 | Class: Junior
Background: Mathews is the latest defection from the Aggies' No. 1-ranked 2022 recruiting class. The group failed to live up to expectations, and now Mathews joins defensive linemen Walter Nolen and LT Overton, and wide receiver Evan Stewart, who have already transferred. The No. 3 safety in 2022, Mathews has excellent size and length (6-foot-1.5, 200 pounds) as an ESPN 300 prospect and was a big part of Texas A&M's class at the time.
Mathews made three starts as a freshman illustrating his excellent range and stepped into a bigger role in 2023, starting nine games and contributing on special teams. He finished fifth on Texas A&M with 42 tackles. An instinctive back-end defender, Mathews' strength is in coverage and playing in space. He can elevate his game as a tackler, but has size to still improve in that area. Considering his measurables and SEC starting experience, Mathews should be a coveted target in this window with plug-and-play potential.
7. Myles Slusher, SafetyTransferring from: Colorado
H: 6-0 | W: 195 | Class: Senior
Background: A former ESPN 300 defensive back, Slusher spent three productive seasons at Arkansas, including playing in all 11 games as a sophomore while posting 50 tackles and intercepting two passes. He was part of Deion Sanders' initial portal makeover in Boulder, and early returns were good.
Slusher played four games before injuries halted his season. He racked up 16 solo tackles -- including the game-winning stop in the Buffaloes' season-opening upset win over TCU. That tackle epitomized his range and downhill tackling ability. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, he will be a sought-after, scheme-versatile defensive back.
8. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WRTransferring from: Penn State
H: 6-1: | W: 188: | Class: Senior
Background: The former 2020 ESPN 300 receiver never truly broke out for Penn State despite four consistent seasons. He arrived on campus with a slight frame and 4.5-second 40-yard dash speed and started five games as a true freshman while showing a dynamic skill set and polished route running.
The senior started strong this past season, but he tallied just two catches in his final four games as the Nittany Lions' offense lacked explosive plays. Still, Lambert-Smith had 53 grabs for 673 yards to lead PSU in both categories and finished his Penn State career with 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns. While he never emerged as a consistent go-to threat, Lambert-Smith should be coveted in the portal market as a seasoned, versatile No. 2 or 3 pass-catcher.
9. Nyjalik Kelly, DLTransferring from: Miami
H: 6-5 | W: 250 | Class: Junior
Background: Despite not yet putting together a complete season, Kelly has shown impressive enough flashes to land in the top 10. The former 2022 ESPN 300 prospect impressed during in-person evaluations. He has elite length while also demonstrating good explosiveness and agility in testing. Kelly was in the Hurricanes' defensive line rotation as a true freshman, appearing in 12 games and tallying four sacks. He entered 2023 with higher expectations, but injuries hampered him and limited him to just four games, where he made eight tackles and just one for loss.
Considering his explosiveness as a prospect and experience, Kelly has the tools to be a productive edge rusher if he can stay healthy. A change of scenery might help him get back on track. He initially committed to Florida State during his initial recruiting process.
10. Peny Boone, RBTransferring from: Toledo
HT: 6-1 | WT: 242 | Class: Senior
Background: Boone is back in the portal after leaving Toledo and choosing Louisville just four months ago. He started his career at Maryland but played sparingly and transferred to Toledo. He exploded with the Rockets, rushing for 1,400 yards (No. 8 in the country) and 15 touchdowns on his way to Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in 2023. Boone's 7.2 yards per carry was fifth best in the country. Nicknamed "Baby Bus" for his size, he runs with plenty of downhill power when he sticks his foot in the ground.
The former three-star from Detroit has verified 4.8 40-yard dash speed. He's not an elusive runner, nor does he seem to want to share the backfield load. He does have an every-down skill set with solid pass protection and reliable hands out of the backfield. Boone would be best suited in another power gap scheme where he can get his shoulder pads pointed north.
