Transfer Portal News: Top 6 Offensive Transfers That Haven't Committed

Most college football rosters are settled for the 2024 season, but a few potential impact transfers are still making a decision.

On the offensive side of the ball, the list includes former UTSA standout Zakhari Franklin. He'd been a prolific wide receiver with the Roadrunners before spending one year at Ole Miss.

Among others, center Bryce Foster—an All-Freshman pick in the SEC three seasons ago—also remains in the portal.

To identify the best remaining players in the portal, we considered past performance and recruiting billing for less proven transfers.

Jalen Berger, RB

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Jalen Berger #8 of the Michigan State Spartans runs up the field in the second quarter of a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 01, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

After Kenneth Walker III's breakout season in 2021, Jalen Berger transferred from Wisconsin to Michigan State the following offseason.

Although Berger's best-case scenario never materialized, he had a nice season in 2022. He scampered for 683 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and he added 19 receptions for 128 yards.

Unfortunately for Berger, the 2023 campaign wasn't as kind. He appeared in five games before an injury ended his year.

Berger, who's entering his final college season, would bolster the depth of a power-conference backfield or potentially start at many Group of Five programs.

Star Thomas, RB

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LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO - AUGUST 26: Star Thomas #4 of the New Mexico State Aggies runs for yardage against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the first half of their game at Aggie Memorial Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

Star Thomas, on the other hand, is aiming for a power-conference jump.

While at New Mexico State, he put together two decent years as the offense's top running back.

In 2022, Thomas rushed for a team-high 518 yards, caught 12 passes for 151 yards and totaled eight touchdowns. Last season, the second-team All-Conference USA pick tallied 653 yards on the ground with 22 receptions for 200 yards and six total scores.

According to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Thomas is expected to land at Cal. That move is not yet official, though.

John Emery Jr., RB

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OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 30: Running back John Emery Jr. #4 of the LSU Tigers looks to run the ball by safety John Saunders Jr. #5 of the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Back in 2019, John Emery Jr. arrived at LSU as a 5-star prospect and the Tigers' potential running back of the future.

It never worked out that way.

Emery missed time due to injuries and academic issues throughout his five seasons in Baton Rouge. He ultimately played in 37 games, rushing for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns to go with 36 catches for 320 yards and two scores.

While a move to a Group of Five school may afford Emery his best chance at a long-awaited breakout year, he visited UCLA in May. He might have one final opportunity for a big-brand program.

Karmello English, WR

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 14: Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Karmello English (5) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (25) during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Michigan Wolverines on October 14, 2023 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Karmello English, a top-200 prospect in the 2023 class, was a part of Michigan's national championship-winning team.

Yes, the wideout didn't contribute much as a true freshman. He returned one punt against East Carolina for eight yards and caught a four-yard touchdown against Indiana in scattered snaps across six games.

From that perspective, he's an unproven player in college. But some program will probably take a gamble on his talent.

English, who wasn't included on Michigan's spring roster, may be looking at a prove-it season wherever he lands in 2024.

Zakhari Franklin, WR

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AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 21: Wide receiver Zakhari Franklin #5 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Zakhari Franklin seemed like a perfect fit at Ole Miss.

Franklin had previously spent four seasons with UTSA and become a feared receiver. He posted a pair of first-team All-Conference USA campaigns, reeling in 81 passes for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021 before snagging a career-high 94 catches for 1,136 yards and 15 scores in 2022.

Franklin ended up taking a redshirt with the Rebels, though, and he entered the portal after spring practice. Since then, he's visited Big Ten programs Illinois and Washington.

Franklin may be the best available offensive transfer remaining.

Bryce Foster, C

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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 25: Bryce Foster #61 of the Texas A&M Aggies in action against the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Experience on the offensive line can be tough to find, but Bryce Foster certainly isn't lacking in that department.

Over the last three seasons at Texas A&M, he started in all 28 of his appearances. Only a few health setbacks during the 2022 campaign kept Foster off the field, limiting him to four games.

An under-the-radar element to Foster's recruitment is that he competed with Texas A&M's track and field team in the spring. Dual-sport involvement at his next school may be especially attractive for Foster.

Not coincidentally, T&F power Oregon may be firmly in the mix for Foster along with Kansas.