The transfer portal has revolutionized college football's roster composition, and the Big 12 is no exception. Every team in the conference has seen turnover and hopes that newcomers can quickly step into new roles. Four schools have used the transfer portal to acquire starting quarterbacks, and four more are set to return former transfers as starters in 2024.
Sometimes the transfer portal can push a team to its limits — TCU shoved its defense together with key transfers and made it to the national finals in 2022 — but other times, over-reliance can cripple a program — as evidenced by BYU and Houston, both teams that welcomed more than 20 transfer players last season and finished a combined 4-14 in the Big 12.
While Big 12 teams added several stars, others opted to rely on internal reinforcements: Five schools added 10 or fewer transfers, including two schools that rank in the top three in the nation for returning players: Iowa State and Oklahoma State.
Here are the top transfers coming into the Big 12 in 2024, primarily players who will be key targets on offense.
Utah WR Dorian Singer
Improving a dreadful passing game has been a top priority for Kyle Whittingham and his staff heading into 2024, and Singer will be an immediate addition. The fourth-year player recorded 66 catches for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns at Arizona in 2022, good for 16.7 yards per catch. He'll be a threat downfield for returning quarterback Cameron Rising.
Singer is the headliner, but Utah has added three receivers, including Washington's Tayshawn Lyons and Syracuse's Damien Alford. Utah finished last in the Pacific-12 Conference passing offense last season, but the new additions revamp the unit and could be a key to winning the Big 12 Conference title. Singer is ranked 29th among receivers in the portal.
Baylor University QB Dequan Finn
The Bears struggled defensively and offensively last season, but the addition of former MAC Player of the Year Finn gives them a big advantage on the offensive side of things. Finn threw for 2,657 yards, ran for 563 yards and scored 29 total touchdowns while leading the Rockets to an 11-2 record and a trip to the MAC Finals.
He brings an intriguing talent and a new vision to the offense. Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital will lead the Bears to a spread look again, which should allow Finn to use his natural ability in space. Former quarterback Blake Shapen wasn't an issue for Waco last season, but Finn could provide a solution. Finn was ranked the 11th-best quarterback in the portal.
Colorado DL Dion Hayes
The Buffaloes were aggressive at every position in the transfer portal, but their top priority was defense. Colorado added a mix of experience and potential to its defensive line, but Hayes stood out as a player who combined the two.
Hayes recorded a team-leading 10.5 tackles for loss and will reportedly be one of the highest-paid players at Pittsburgh. He provides some much-needed leadership to the defense heading into a promising year at Colorado. The defensive line will be leading the way if the team takes a big step forward in Year 2 under coach Deion Sanders. Hayes was ranked 39th among defensive linemen in the portal.
Texas Tech TE Jalyn Conyers
The Red Raiders return tight end Mason Tharp, but Conyers, a transfer from Arizona State, brings a different skill set. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound big man has nearly 800 yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons and is expected to see plenty of playing time in 2024.
What makes Conyers special is his versatility. Think of him as the ultimate safety net for quarterback Beren Morton. In addition to making big catches, Conyers' size allows him to play a key role in quarterback protection and run blocking. Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kitley is one of the most creative minds in the conference, and Conyers fits perfectly into his scheme. Conyers was ranked as the No. 5 tight end by the transfer portal.
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TCU LB Caleb Elms-Oll
The Horned Frogs were eager to target the transfer portal after a disappointing 5-7 season, and Elms-Oh is arguably the best player to get in. The transfer from California recorded 92 tackles and five passes defended in his first season as the Golden Bears' starter and is now a featured player at TCU.
TCU hired former Boise State coach Andy Avalos as defensive coordinator, so a lot of attention will be focused on the linebacker corps. Elms-Orr will pair with the returning Johnny Hodges and Nnamdi Obiazor to try to calm a defense that lost its identity last year. Most importantly, Elms-Orr brings a wealth of experience to a position that really matters. He was ranked 12th among linebackers in the transfer portal.
Top transfer players for remaining Big 12 teams
Arizona DL Tre Smith: The Wildcats lost several key contributors on the defensive line in the portal, but they add Smith, who recorded 6.5 sacks at San Jose State, and he will play a key role in the pass rush if the Wildcats hope to contend in the Big 12.
Arizona State University RB Larry Leek brownBrown was once a five-star prospect who struggled to find his groove at USC, but his skill set as both a rusher and receiver gives Kenny Dillingham unique ways to get him the ball.
BYU LB Jack Kelly: Kelly will be reunited with former Weber State coach Jay Hill, who is now BYU's defensive coordinator, and the versatile third-year freshman had a breakout sophomore season in which he recorded 57 tackles, five passes defensed and 8.5 sacks.
UCF QB KJ Jefferson: Gus Malzahn likes to play dual-threat quarterbacks, but Jefferson is closer to Cam Newton than John Rhys Plumlee. Jefferson started three years at Arkansas and threw for nearly 8,000 yards and 2,000 yards rushing with 88 total touchdowns.
Cincinnati QB Brendan SorsbySorsby performed well as a freshman at Indiana and quickly impressed the coaching staff at Cincinnati as he takes the reins, hoping to rebuild one of the Big 12 Conference's weakest passing offenses.
Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards: Edwards was long tipped to be a Kansas State transfer but transferred to Colorado at the last minute, and now he's back to help bolster running back DJ Giddens and quarterback Avery Johnson.
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Houston WR Mekhi Muse: Muse attended the University of Georgia where he played as a receiver and dynamic returner. Willie Fritz is a master of finding ways for speedsters to get the ball in space, and Muse fits that profile.
Iowa State DE Kennard Snyder: The Cyclones didn't add many transfers, but ULM's Snyder is an intriguing possibility as an active defensive end, having recorded 24.5 tackles for loss in his two seasons with the program.
Kansas OL Shane Bumgardner: Bumgardner is the Rimington Award winner as the top Division II center in 2023 and the coaching staff is excited about his potential. He will replace veteran leader Mike Nowitzki in the middle of the Jayhawks' offensive line.
Oklahoma State TE Tyler Foster: Oklahoma State hasn't targeted tight ends much under coach Mike Gundy, but the Ohio State transfer could change that. The 6-foot-7 Foster would be a big target to help an offense that ranks in the bottom half of the Big 12 in converting red-zone tries into touchdowns.
West Virginia WR Jayden Bray: Brey had some flashes of brilliance at Oklahoma State but ultimately couldn't bring the team together, so at West Virginia, Brey could be the focal point of a wide receiver corps that rotates between multiple contributors.
