The transfer portal giveth, and the transfer portal taketh.
The FCS has been impacted negatively and positively by the portal. Several FCS standouts have moved to the FBS. But the FCS has also seen many FBS transfers have a huge impact on their team. FBS teams spending more scholarships on transfers has also allowed the FCS to get a higher level of high school recruits.
Portal movement was at its high point heading into the 2024 season. There were about 387 FCS-to-FBS transfers, 830 FBS-to-FCS transfers, and 548 FCS-to-FCS transfers.
RELATED: How Did 2024 FCS-To-FBS Transfers Perform?
Many FCS programs brought in double-digit D1 transfers from other FBS and FCS schools. Some schools did it out of necessity after losing multiple transfers. Some schools did it to plug holes. Other schools did it for a roster overhaul to try and get good fast.
The results can be a mixed bag.
Sometimes an influx of transfer talent can make a team improve rapidly. Other times, too many transfers don’t mesh well on and off the field.
Of course, there are many factors in year-to-year records improving or getting worse. It isn’t always hand-in-hand with how many transfers a program brings in. Regardless, below is a look at FCS teams who brought in the most D1 transfers for the 2024 season and how their records compared to 2023.
NOTES:
- 32 FCS teams brought in more than 15 D1 transfers before the 2024 season
- 13 teams saw an increase in their number of wins
- 15 teams saw a decrease in their number of wins
- 4 teams saw their number of wins stay the same
ETSU — 37 (9 FBS, 28 FCS)
2023 record: 3-8
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: +4
Florida A&M — 36 (31 FBS, 5 FCS)
2023 record: 12-1
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: -5
Austin Peay — 29 (21 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 9-3
2024 record: 4-8
Win difference: -5
West Georgia — 29 (13 FBS, 16 FCS)
2023 record: 6-4
2024 record: 4-7
Win difference: -2
West Georgia was transitioning to D1 in the 2024 season
Tennessee State — 26 (16 FBS, 10 FCS)
2023 record: 6-5
2024 record: 9-4
Win difference: +3
Gardner-Webb — 25 (17 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 7-5
2024 record: 4-8
Win difference: -3
Murray State — 25 (23 FBS, 2 FCS)
2023 record: 2-9
2024 record: 1-11
Win difference: -1
UT Martin — 24 (17 FBS, 7 FCS)
2023 record: 8-3
2024 record: 9-5
Win difference: +1
Grambling — 23 (17 FBS, 6 FCS)
2023 record: 5-6
2024 record: 5-7
Win difference: 0
Stephen F. Austin — 23 (14 FBS, 9 FCS)
2023 record: 3-8
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: +4
Tennessee Tech — 23 (17 FBS, 6 FCS)
2023 record: 4-7
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: +3
Bethune-Cookman — 22 (16 FBS, 6 FCS)
2023 record: 3-8
2024 record: 2-10
Win difference: -1
UAlbany — 21 (10 FBS, 11 FCS)
2023 record: 11-4
2024 record: 4-8
Win difference: -7
Jackson State — 21 (13 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 7-4
2024 record: 12-2
Win difference: +5
McNeese — 21 (16 FBS, 5 FCS)
2023 record: 0-10
2024 record: 6-6
Win difference: +6
North Alabama — 21 (13 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 3-8
2024 record: 3-9
Win difference: 0
Abilene Christian — 20 (19 FBS, 1 FCS)
2023 record: 5-6
2024 record: 9-5
Win difference: +4
Campbell — 20 (12 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 5-6
2024 record: 3-9
Win difference: -2
Samford — 20 (13 FBS, 7 FCS)
2023 record: 6-5
2024 record: 4-7
Win difference: -2
UIW — 20 (13 FBS, 7 FCS)
2023 record: 9-2
2024 record: 11-3
Win difference: +2
Northern Arizona — 19 (14 FBS, 5 FCS)
2023 record: 5-6
2024 record: 8-5
Win difference: +3
Youngstown State — 19 (15 FBS, 4 FCS)
2023 record: 8-5
2024 record: 4-8
Win difference: -4
Alabama State — 18 (6 FBS, 12 FCS)
2023 record: 7-4
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: 0
Alabama A&M — 17 (9 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 5-6
2024 record: 6-6
Win difference: +1
Chattanooga — 17 (11 FBS, 6 FCS)
2023 record: 8-5
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: -1
Hampton — 17 (9 FBS, 8 FCS)
2023 record: 5-6
2024 record: 5-7
Win difference: 0
Missouri State — 17 (12 FBS, 5 FCS)
2023 record: 4-7
2024 record: 8-4
Win difference: +4
Montana — 17 (13 FBS, 4 FCS)
2023 record: 13-2
2024 record: 9-5
Win difference: -4
Bryant — 16 (12 FBS, 4 FCS)
2023 record: 6-5
2024 record: 2-10
Win difference: -4
Robert Morris — 16 (9 FBS, 7 FCS)
2023 record: 4-7
2024 record: 7-5
Win difference: +3
Southern Illinois — 16 (9 FBS, 7 FCS)
2023 record: 8-5
2024 record: 4-8
Win difference: -4
Utah Tech — 16 (13 FBS, 3 FCS)
2023 record: 2-9
2024 record: 1-11
Win difference: -1
