The transfer portal has become a valuable tool for college football teams each offseason to add quality of talent to their roster. Recruiting the high school ranks is still incredibly important, but mixing it with adding high impact transfers is the strategy the best teams are going to utilize. Evaluating what the portal can bring has now become a year round job.

One huge positive the portal has brought is the ability for under the radar players to explore bigger opportunities. There are several of these diamonds in the rough that could be in major demand when the portal officially opens next month. Here are a few talented offensive players to keep a close eye on.

QB Darian Mensah (Tulane)

After losing quarterback Michael Pratt this past offseason, nobody really knew what to expect for Tulane under center in 2024. Then all of a sudden we get acquainted with Mensah, who is just a redshirt freshman. There’s an argument that he could be more physically gifted than Pratt, having thrown for 2,059 yards and 16 touchdowns in only 10 games. Mensah has also completed just under 66 percent of his passes, while only throwing four interceptions. If he enters the portal this offseason, the market is going to be robust.

RB Chavon Wright (Charleston)

Making the jump from D2 to the FBS level is a massive one, but if anyone can do it, Wright can. So far in 2024, Wright has rushed for 1,845 yards and 33 touchdowns in just 10 games. He hasn’t had a game with less than 117 rushing yards or two touchdowns this season, and those lows occurred in a blowout where he barely played into the third quarter. At 5-8 and 200 pounds, Wright is quick, elusive, and demonstrates outstanding contact balance.

WR Jeff Caldwell (Lindenwood)

It doesn’t take long to find Caldwell on the field once you pop on his film. Standing at 6-5 and 200 pounds, he is an impressive athlete who is having a tremendous season for the Lions. In 11 games this year, Caldwell has hauled in 45 receptions for 933 yards and 10 touchdowns. That is a healthy 20.7 yards per reception average, showcasing his propensity to make explosive plays down the field. Teams love length and speed at wide receiver, and you can bet there will be a demand for Caldwell this offseason.

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WR Devonte Ross (Troy)

Ross is a smaller pass catcher at 5-11 and 161 pounds, but he is dynamic both as a wide receiver and return man for the Trojans. On the season, Ross has hauled in 53 receptions for 784 yards and nine touchdowns. He is arguably an even bigger threat in the return game, where he is averaging 20.9 yards per punt return on limited opportunities. That includes a 77-yard return for another touchdown.

TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)

In terms of biggest names, Fannin is at the top of this list. He is one of the dominant tight ends in all of college football, recording 83 catches for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, Fannin is a smaller movement-based tight end who wins consistently after the catch. There’s a chance that Fannin could enter the 2025 NFL Draft class, but returning is also on the table. If he does, it sounds like the portal is very much on the table.

OT Conner Moore (Montana State)

When you talk about the top offensive lineman on the FCS level, Moore should be on the short list. He has been tremendous for Montana State, having started games at both left tackle and left guard over the last two seasons. At 6-5 and 310 pounds, Moore is an incredibly smooth mover and has impressive core strength. Moore has the look of a future NFLer and Power Five teams should have high interest considering he has two seasons of eligibility remaining.