Shaking Up the ACC: Key Transfers Set to Make an Impact in the 2024 Season (Pt. 1)
The 2024 college football season will kick off in August, and the ACC will have a new look with three additional teams joining the conference. Across the conference and college football, the transfer portal has sparked a new wave of recruiting.
Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some transfers heading to the ACC that we expect to make an immediate impact on the 2024 season. The portal opens again for the spring transfer period from April 15-30, so there could be more additions by the start of fall camp.
- Shaking Up the ACC: Key Transfers Set to Make an Impact in the 2024 Season (Pt. 1)
- Shaking Up the ACC: Key Transfers Set to Make an Impact in the 2024 Season (Pt. 2)
Upcoming:
- Shaking Up the ACC: Key Transfers Set to Make an Impact in the 2024 Season (Pt. 3)
- Shaking Up the ACC: Key Transfers Set to Make an Impact in the 2024 Season (Pt. 4)
- Shaking Up the ACC: Key Transfers Set to Make an Impact in the 2024 Season (Pt. 5)
Duke Blue Devils
Maalik Murphy, QB: In the 2023 season, Murphy got two starts over Quinn Ewers and led Texas to two wins over BYU and Kansas State. Murphy threw for 477 yards and three touchdowns as he served as Texas' primary backup behind Quinn Ewers and ahead of freshman Arch Manning.
Duke's starting job opened when star quarterback Riley Leonard decided to commit to Notre Dame. Murphy was the second transfer to commit to Duke since coach Manny Diaz's hiring in December.
Eric Schon, OL: A 3-star lineman committed to play for the Blue Devils after playing four years at Holy Cross. Duke is working on strengthening their offensive line, and by adding some experienced bodies, they are working towards reaching that goal.
After playing four years in an FCS program, the lineman looks to join a dynamic program in Durham. The 6-foot-3, 311-pound lineman looks to bring some experience to the Blue Devil offense.
Other top portal acquisitions for Duke
- Kendy Charles, DL from Liberty
- Javon Harvey, WR from Old Dominion
- Ozzie Nicholas, LB from Princeton
- Jack Purcell, OL from Penn
- Will Seiler, DL from Penn
Florida State Seminoles
DJ Uiagalelei, QB: The former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback makes a return to college football for a fifth year. The fifth-year senior has 57 passing touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns in 47 career games. He's set to replace Jordan Travis, who is out of eligibility after five years at Florida State.
After finishing the 2023 season 13-1, the Seminoles hope to make another run to the ACC Championship game and, hopefully, the College Football Playoff. Florida State is currently ranked No. 4 in 24/7’s Transfer Team Rankings for the upcoming season.
Shawn Murphy, LB: The Seminoles continue to get used out of the transfer portal by picking up former Alabama linebacker Shawn Murphy. Murphy spent two years playing under Nick Saban and shortly after his announcement to retire, he entered the transfer portal.
He appeared in 13 games during the 2023 season, the majority of his time coming on special teams. Murphy was a top recruit in the 2022 class and visited Florida State back in 2021. In his time with the Crimson Tide, he appeared in 18 games and recorded five tackles.
Other top portal acquisitions for Florida State
- Marvin Jones Jr., LB from Georgia
- Jalen Brown, WR from LSU
- Roydell Williams, RB from Alabama
- Terrence Ferguson II, OL from Alabama
- Malik Benson, WR from Alabama
- Earl Little II, DB from Alabama
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
EJ Lightsey, LB: Lightsey was a signing day addition for the Yellow Jackets in December and has hopes to make an immediate impact for Georgia Tech in the 2024 season. The linebacker did not see any action with the Bulldogs in 2023 due to injury after redshirting in 2022.
The junior linebacker will have two remaining years of eligibility. The Fitzgerald, Georgia native, came to Georgia late in the 2021 signing class after having been committed to Florida for an extended period of time. Georgia Tech recruited him out of high school and the coaching staff is excited to get to see him perform in the upcoming season.
Warren Burrell, CB: Former Tennessee starter and graduate transfer Warren Burrell announced on social media that he would be transferring to Georgia Tech. At Tennessee, the 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback played in 40 games, including 22 starts for the Vols.
Burrell is originally from Suwanee, Georgia, and was listed as a 4-star recruit by Rivals. He enrolled at Tennessee in 2019 and accumulated 89 total tackles in his four years in Knoxville. Burrell has two years of eligibility remaining and will bring experience to the Yellowjacket’s defensive backfield.
Other top portal acquisitions for Georgia Tech
- Keylan Rutledge, OL from Middle Tennessee
- Ayobami Tifase, DL from Florida State
- Jack Barton, DE from Furman
- Syeed Gibbs, DB from Rhode Island
Check back in later as we continue to unpack and highlight some more key transfer players that will make an impact across the ACC.