Big 12 football transfers: New QBs at Baylor, UCF ready to make an immediate impact in 2024 season

The transfer portal has revolutionized roster building in college football, and the Big 12 are no exception. Every team in the conference has experienced turnover and hopes a newcomer can quickly step into a new role. Four schools tapped the transfer portal for starting quarterbacks, while four others returned a previous transfer as a 2024 starter.

Sometimes the transfer portal has raised a team’s ceiling. TCU built a defense with key transfers and reached the national title game in 2022. Other times, overconfidence has sunk programs. Look no further than BYU and Houston, who made more than 20 transfers last season and finished with a 4-14 record in Big 12 play.

While the Big 12 teams have added a handful of star players, others have chosen to lean on internal improvement. Five schools added 10 or fewer transfers. Among them were Iowa State and Oklahoma State — two of the top three teams in the country in returning production.

Here are the top transfers entering the Big 12 in 2024, headlined by a handful of key offensive targets.

Utah WR Dorian Singer

Revamping a miserable passing game was a priority for Kyle Whittingham and his staff heading into 2024, and Singer adds immediate firepower. The fourth-year player caught 66 passes for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns in 2022 at Arizona and impressed with 16.7 yards per catch. He adds a downfield threat to returning quarterback Cameron Rising.

Singer is the headliner, but Utah added three receivers overall, including Washington’s Taeshaun Lyons and Syracuse’s Damien Alford. The Utes finished last in the Pac-12 in passing offense last season, but the new additions should revamp the unit and potentially secure a run at the Big 12 title. Singer classified as receiver #29 on the portal.

Baylor QB DeQuan Finn

The Bears struggled mightily on both sides of the ball last season, but the addition of Finn — the former MAC Player of the Year — gives them a huge advantage on offense. Finn threw for 2,657 yards, rushed for 563 and scored 29 total touchdowns for Toledo as the Rockets went 11-2 with a trip to the MAC title game.

He comes into the attack with some interesting talent and a new outlook. Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital takes the Bears back to a spread look, which should allow Finn to lean on his natural ability in space. While former quarterback Blake Shapen was far from the problem in Waco last season, Finn could provide the solution. Finn was ranked as the 11th quarterback on the portal.

Colorado DL Dayon Hayes

The Buffaloes were aggressive at every position in the transfer portal, but the trenches were the top priority. While Colorado added a mix of experience and potential along the defensive line, Hayes stood out as a mix of the two.

Hayes would have been considered one of Pitt’s highest-paid players after leading the team with 10.5 tackles for loss. At Colorado, he provides much-needed leadership on defense heading into a year with high expectations. If the team takes a big step forward in Year 2 under Deion Sanders, the defensive line will lead the way. Hayes was ranked as the #39 defensive lineman on the portal.

Texas Tech TE Jalin Conyers

The Red Raiders return tight end Mason Tharp, but Conyers, a transfer from Arizona State, offers a different skill set. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound giant has recorded nearly 800 yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons. He expects to earn a lot of snaps in 2024.

What makes Conyers special is his versatility. Think of him as the ultimate safety net for quarterback Behren Morton. In addition to making big catches, Conyers’ frame allows him to play a crucial role in protecting the quarterback and blocking runs. Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley is one of the most creative minds in the conference, and Conyers fits perfectly into his scheme. Conyers classified as the #5 tight end in the transfer portal.

TCU LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr

The Horned Frogs hit the transfer portal hard after a disappointing 5-7 season, but Elarms-Orr is perhaps the best of the bunch. The California transfer recorded 92 tackles and five passes defended in his first real season as a starter for the Golden Bears, and now arrives at TCU as a major contributor.

TCU hired former Boise State coach Andy Avalos as defensive coordinator and a lot of attention will be paid to the linebacker corps. Elarms-Orr will combine with returnees Johnny Hodges and Namdi Obiazor to try and sort out a defense that lost its identity last year. Most importantly, Elarms-Orr brings a wealth of experience to a position that truly matters. He classified himself as the #12 linebacker in the transfer portal.

Key transfers to the remaining Big 12 teams

Arizona DL Tre Smith: The Wildcats lost several key defensive line contributors in the portal, but Smith arrives after posting 6.5 sacks at San Jose State. He will play a key role in the pass rush if the Wildcats want to compete for the Big 12.

Arizona State’s RB Raleek Brown: Brown was a former five-star prospect who never caught on at USC. However, his abilities as a tackler and receiver mean that Kenny Dillingham can find unique ways to get him the ball.

BYULB Jack Kelly: Kelly reunites with his former Weber State coach Jay Hill, who is now BYU’s defensive coordinator. The do-it-all junior posted 57 tackles, five passes defensed and 8.5 sacks in a sophomore season.

UCF QB KJ Jefferson: Gus Malzahn loves a dual-threat quarterback, but Jefferson has him closer to Cam Newton than John Rhys Plumlee. Jefferson started three years at Arkansas, recording nearly 8,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing, with 88 total touchdowns.

Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati QB: Sorsby played well at Indiana as a freshman and has quickly impressed coaches since arriving in Cincinnati. He hopes to revamp one of the Big 12’s worst passing attacks.

Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards: Edwards was linked to Kansas State for a long time before switching to Colorado at the last second. Now, he returns to complement running back DJ Giddens and quarterback Avery Johnson.

Houston WR Mekhi Mews: Mews moved on at Georgia, but managed to find the field as a dynamic receiver and returner. Willie Fritz is an expert at finding ways for sprinters to get the ball into space, and Mews fits that bill.

Iowa State DE Kenard Snyder: The Cyclones brought in very few transfers, but ULM’s Snyder has an interesting upside as an active defensive end. In two seasons playing with the program, he recorded 24.5 tackles for loss.

Kansas OL Shane Bumgardner: Bumgardner won the Rimington Award as the best center in Division II in 2023 and coaches are excited about his potential. He will replace veteran leader Mike Novitsky in the middle of the Jayhawks’ offensive line.

Oklahoma State TE Tyler Foster: Oklahoma State hasn’t always targeted tight ends under Mike Gundy, but the Ohio transfer could change that. With a 6-foot-2 frame, Foster provides a big target who can help an offense that ranks in the bottom half of the Big 12 in converting red zone trips into touchdowns.

West Virginia WR Jaden Bray: Bray shined during his time at Oklahoma State, but never put the pieces together. In West Virginia, Bray could star in a wide receiver room that replaces several contributors.