Anthony Wilson
Although the casual college football fans may not pay much attention, there is a lot of talent in the Football Championship Subdivision. The transfer portal allowed these players to take a risk and move to a higher level, offering more exposure at marquee programs.
Since the advent of the portal, several FCS participants have found entry-level roles in power conference programs. Some have even taken things further, turning the transfer portal into NFL Draft success.
Just look at Florida State’s Jared Verse, who started his career at Albany. He was selected first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC in both of his two seasons as a Seminole, with 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in that span. The Los Angeles Rams saw the work Verse did at Florida State and selected him with the 19th overall pick in April’s draft.
But Verse wouldn’t have gotten this far if his shares hadn’t risen first in Albany. As coaches increasingly lean on the transfer portal and NCAA regulations make transferring easier, a flood of players are trying to follow in Verse’s footsteps.
Here are some FCS to FBS transfers worth keeping an eye on during the 2024 season now that the winter and spring windows have passed.
Old school: Idaho | 247Sports Ratings: 93
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Harris has started 24 games over the past two seasons at Idaho, recording five interceptions and 24 pass breakups in that span. Harris is a smart player who rarely looks out of position and is often in the right place to make a play. His 36 career pass breakups are an Idaho record. He’s also a willing defender, with 51 stops and 5.5 tackles for loss — a career high — in the 2023 season.
Old school: Penn | 247Sports Ratings: 92
Penn simply has a knack for producing power conference-caliber defensive linemen. After Jake Heimlicher transferred to UCLA a year ago, Slackman followed a similar path by breaking out in 2023 and parlaying his success into a spot on Florida’s roster. 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, Slackman led his team and finished second among Ivy League defenders with 12 tackles for loss and totaled four sacks while destroying the interior of opposing offensive lines. At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Slackman comes ready to tough it out in the trenches of the SEC.
Old school: Weber State | 247Sports Ratings: 91
Kelly’s 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame may be a little undersized, but that’s never stopped him. All he did at Weber State was fill the stat sheet, emerging as one of the team’s best defenders while also wreaking havoc in the backfield. He led the entire Big Sky Conference with 10.5 sacks last season, bringing his career total to 16.5. Now just a redshirt junior, he still has plenty of eligibility to grow with BYU and help the Cougars establish themselves as they continue to acclimate to the Big 12.
Old school: North Dakota | 247Sports Ratings: 90
Kilty will play power forward at Kansas State, but he could really play wherever the Wildcats need him. He ranked as one of the best pass blockers at the FCS level last season by starting all 12 games at left tackle. Kilty has gotten significant snaps at every position along the offensive line except center: he started one game at right guard in the spring of 2021, three games at right guard and eight at left guard in the fall of 2021, and 12 games at guard right tackle in 2022 before finally landing at left tackle. That kind of versatility is hard to find, especially in such an experienced transfer.
Old school: New Hampshire | 247Sports Ratings: 90
A second-team FCS All-American and Walter Payton Award finalist in 2023, Brosmer led the FCS in passing yards (3,464), passing yards per game (313.6) and total yards per game (525) last season. season. He also boasted an impressive 29 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading New Hampshire to a 6-5 record. Minnesota hasn’t had good quarterback play since Tanner Morgan’s 2019 campaign, so Brosmer brings much-needed excitement to the position. If his play can translate into a sharp rise in competition, Minnesota’s offensive ceiling is higher than it has been in some time.
Old school: Albany | 247Sports Ratings: 90
Verse was taken off the board early in the 2024 NFL Draft, and it’s not outlandish to say that Juncaj could follow a similar path to his predecessor in Albany. The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Juncaj led all players at the FCS level with 15 sacks last season, racking up first-team All-American honors while helping Albany to the FCS playoff semifinals. His 21.5 tackles for loss ranked third nationally, and he forced a whopping five fumbles, showing a tendency to go after the ball when approaching defenders. If he can get even remotely close to that level of production while playing in the SEC, his name will skyrocket on draft boards.
Old school: William and Mary | 247Sports Ratings: 90
Pius is without a doubt the most talented player on this list. He is a two-time first-team All-American, former Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year and the only player named to the 2023 preseason Butkus Award watch list. He played in just 11 games last season and he still managed 16 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. His 1.5 tackles for loss per game led the CAA and ranked 10th nationally. NFL executives are already keeping an eye on Pius, so you probably should too.
Old school: Southeast Louisiana | 247Sports Ratings: 90
Upside is the name of the game with Sharp. He didn’t even start every game for Southeast Louisiana last season, and yet he became one of the most sought-after tight ends in the transfer portal when he entered. What he showed during his 11 starts reveals why: Sharp caught 29 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 133 yards and five touchdowns. Southeast Louisiana used Sharp all over the field, from running back to outside receiver. It will be fun to watch how the Sooners choose to employ his versatility.
Old school: Monmouth | 247Sports Ratings: 90
Is it possible that the FCS leader in receiving yards is underrated? Miller didn’t generate much buzz upon entering the portal despite having 1,293 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Miller isn’t the most complete receiver, but he is much faster than any player he faces. His extensive track record is evident every time he touches the ball. To condense his game into one sentence: Miller takes an inch of space and turns it into a mile. His best work comes on short passes that allow him to utilize elite speed and run around defenders. He should be the perfect fit for a Rutgers offense that loves to work the game underneath and will be a reliable target for new starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.
Old school: Harvard | 247Sports Ratings: 89
Players who leave a prestigious institution like Harvard are truly betting on themselves. But Griffith has already caught the attention of scouts and decision-makers at the NFL level, as evidenced by the fact that he earned a spot on the Senior Bowl watch list entering the 2023 campaign. he racked up 55 tackles, 11 for losses and 3.5 sacks while anchoring the interior at Harvard. While his 6-foot-2 height may seem a bit undersized, it allows him to gain an advantage against offensive linemen and block running lanes effectively. As with other defensive linemen on this list, strong play at the power conference level will serve to boost his pre-existing NFL profile.
Old school: Gardner-Webb | 247Sports Ratings: 88
French’s size — he’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds on West Virginia’s roster — could limit his NFL potential as a true edge rusher prospect, but he has a proven track record of dominance in college. He holds Gardner-Webb career records in sacks (34.5) and tackles for loss (61). He has had at least 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks in each of the last three seasons, while averaging just under 1.5 tackles for loss in 41 total games. West Virginia is working on French at its “Spur” position, which is essentially an outside linebacker who specializes in chasing the passer. This is a role in which the Frenchman should flourish.
