As the kids say, the portal is popping. Maybe they don’t say that. We don’t know. We’re an old magazine company trying to make it in a digital world. 

But what we do know is that the college football transfer portal is filled with talented players with Texas high school roots. The list is fluid as new faces officially pop up in the portal (waiting on you, Matthew Golden) and others exit by picking a new school or returning to their old program. 

As we head into the first weekend without a full slate of college football since August, here are the 10-best former Texas high school football players currently in the transfer portal. (Friday at noon). 

1. Cam Ward – QB – Washington State (West Columbia) 

Ward was an option quarterback in high school that went underrecruited and ended up at Incarnate Word, where he became a star in Eric Morris’ offense. He followed Morris, now the head coach at North Texas, to Washington State ahead of the 2022 season and has started for the past two seasons. He’s the top quarterback in the transfer portal according to numerous insiders. 

2. Princely Umanmielen – EDGE – Florida (Manor) 

The junior from Central Texas was an All-SEC second-team selection by the AP and Coaches after leading the Gators in 2023 in sacks (7), quarterback hurries (17) and tackles for loss (11.5). He’s started 23 games over the last two years in the SEC and has four years of college experience. His position coach at Florida, Sean Spencer, took the same job at Texas A&M when the Aggies hired Mike Elko. 

3. Trey Moore – EDGE – UTSA (Smithson Valley) 

Moore was a first-team All-Texas selection by Dave Campbell’s and was the leading sacker in the state with 14 despite battling nagging injuries through the 2023 season. He has 35.5 tackles for loss over the last two years and has started the last 26 games for the Roadrunners. Moore is a top-level Power Five prospect who likely ends up at Texas or a program of that ilk. Edge rushers are always a priority and Moore possesses NFL potential. 

4. Andrew Mukuba – S – Clemson (Austin LBJ) 

After helping the Jaguars reach a state championship game as a two-way player in high school, Mukuba became a Freshman All-American in 2021 after starting 10 games. He’s credited with 149 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and an interception in the 35 games he’s participated in since arriving at Clemson in 2021. He’s started 31 of those games. 

5. Upton Stout – CB – Western Kentucky (Galena Park North Shore) 

The former three-star prospect started his career at North Texas before transferring and becoming an all-conference performer at WKU. Cover corners are a commodity in the modern game (look at the NFL draft), so Stout will be in demand. He’s only 5-foot-9, but his ability in the slot is exceptional. He broke up eight passes and recorded an interception in 2023 after missing all of October to injury. 

6. Chandler Rogers – QB – North Texas (Mansfield Lake Ridge)

Rogers started 18 games at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to North Texas, where he was second-team All-Texas by DCTF. He threw for 3,382 yards and 29 touchdowns to only five interceptions in Morris’ offense. Rogers also ran for 180 yards and four touchdowns. He might’ve pushed 4,000 yards passing if he was the starter in the first two weeks of the season. 

7. Drake Dabney – TE – Baylor (Cy Ranch) 

The 6-5, 248-pound Dabney is a two-way threat at tight end because of his ability to block and catch. He’s big enough to play in-line tight end, which he was asked to do a lot in Jeff Grimes’ offense at Baylor. He was also productive as a receiver when given the opportunity in 2023. Dabney finished the year with 33 catches for 552 yards and five touchdowns. He caught four passes for 105 yards and a score against Kansas State. 

8. Justin Mayers – OL – UTEP (Frisco Reedy) 

UTEP developed offensive lineman in the Dana Dimel era, even if it didn’t result in enough wins to extend his tenure. Mayers is the latest. He was one of the highest-graded interior lineman in America and could get P5 calls because finding quality offensive linemen in the portal is like a needle in a haystack. 

9. Chris Brazzell II – WR – Tulane (Midland Christian) 

A three-star prospect in high school, the 6-4 wide out is on the free market after Tulane head coach Willie Fritz took the job at Houston. Many expect that Brazzell could make the same move. He led the Green Wave with 44 catches for 711 yards as a freshman. He caught five touchdowns on the season. 

10. Jaise Oliver – S – Tulsa (Franklin) 

A ballhawk with loads of college experience, Oliver recorded 48 tackles and four interceptions in 2023. He’s played 32 games at Tulsa since arriving in 2019. Over that span, he has 101 tackles, six picks, and 20 pass break ups. He’s also forced a fumble.