As the college football season gets closer to bowl season, players begin to announce their decisions for the future. Whether to declare for the NFL, return to their school for another season, or transfer. With the current landscape of the transfer portal, it’s a wild world to navigate. Here are the notable players returning or transferring and the few who have decided to forgo their eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 NFL Draft Decisions

The 2024 NFL Draft prospects have entered a crucial juncture in their collegiate careers, faced with the pivotal decision of declaring for the draft, returning for another season, or even contemplating transferring to enhance their opportunities. As the players weigh their options, factors such as individual performance, team success, and feedback from NFL scouts play a significant role in their choices. Some prospects may declare early, while others may return for another season or transfer to another school to get the best exposure for their future. Keep an eye out for the 2025 NFL Draft class as well.

Declared

Kentucky RB Ray Davis: After a tremendous year, Davis announced on November 27 that he will enter the 2024 NFL Draft. He currently has 1066 yards on 186 carries with 13 touchdowns, and with a questionable class of running backs, Davis’ name will be one to watch as a potential early day three pick.

Returning

Houston QB Cameron Rising: As he announced on November 21, Rising will return to Houston for his 7th year of college football. He started his college career by committing to Oklahoma, de-committing there to commit to Texas, and then transferring to Houston in 2021. After a year of dealing with multiple torn ligaments in his knee, the longstanding quarterback will look to bounce back and improve his draft stock for 2025.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart: It’s been a tremendous season for Dart, but with the depth of talent of the 2024 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks, it’s not surprising that he’s returning for next season. Currently, with 2985 yards and 20 touchdowns with just five interceptions, Dart becomes one of the better quarterbacks for the 2025 draft.

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels: After spending the majority of the season sidelined with a back injury, Daniels elected to return to Kansas next season. He ended the 2022 season with 2014 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just four interceptions—a promising season that he’ll look to get back to after he gets back from his injury.

South Carolina WR Antwane Wells Jr.: A wide receiver who was regarded as a potential day-two pick heading into the season, Wells has been dealing with a foot injury suffered against Georgia in Week 3. The big-bodied target will look to bounce back next season fully healed and ready to show what he’s capable of.

Transferring

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers: It was an up-and-down season for Rogers. He’s been dealing with a shoulder injury that happened against Western Michigan and hasn’t been his 2022 self. With another year of eligibility left, Rogers has decided he’s transferring. Whatever school he goes to, they’re getting a very talented gunslinger.

Texas A&M QB Max Johnson: On the search for his third college team, Johnson has elected to enter his name into the transfer portal. He’s dealt with a rib injury this season and was replaced by rSo Jaylen Henderson. There are rumors that North Carolina is the likely landing spot, and we should have some clarity in the near future.

Kansas QB Will Howard: After spending four years with the Wildcats, Howard is on the move to another school. Leading Kansas State to a current 8-4 record, he’s been solid under center, with 2643 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Howard will look to boost his draft stock on a new team next season.

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke: It’s been a rollercoaster the past two seasons for Van Dyke. He was considered a first-round pick coming into last season, but after an inconsistent year, he returned to school to have another up-and-down 2023 season. It’s not the end for Van Dyke, as he’s headed to new pastures to get his draft stock back to what it was.

Underclassman Watch (Current Stats)

• Arizona QB Noah Fifita (rFr): 11g | 73.6cmp% | 2515pyds | 23tds | 5int
• Penn State QB Drew Allar (So): 12g | 61.3cmp% | 2336yds | 23tds | 1int
• Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II (So): 12g | 245car | 1580yds | 20tds | 0fum
• North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton (So): 12g | 234car | 1442yds | 15tds | 0fum
• Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan (So): 12g | 80rec | 1242yds | 10tds
• Missouri WR Luther Burden III (So): 12g | 83rec | 1197yds | 8tds
• USC DL Bear Alexander (So): 11g | 43tot | 1.5sacks | 2pd
• LSU DL/LB Harold Perkins (So): 12g | 72tot | 4pd | 7.5sacks | 3ff | 1int
• Oklahoma State LB Nickolas Martin (rSo): 12g | 120tot | 6sacks | 1ff | 1int
• Oklahoma LB Jaren Kanak (So): 12g | 60tot | 2sacks | 1ff | 2pd
• Iowa State DB Jeremiah Cooper (So): 10g | 41tot | 1ff | 5int | 1td | 9pd
• Alabama DB Caleb Downs (Fr): 12g | 95tot | 1ff | 2int | 1fr | 3pd

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