Transfer portal season is now upon us. For high-major programs, this is a time to add new faces and fill holes on the roster to reload for another try at making a deep run in March.
For many mid-majors, it’s a time that will see a lot of talent depart into the higher ranks. While they can still add, a lot of the top players will seek greener pastures.
So, who are some of the names to look at this cycle? Who are the hottest commodities on the market from mid-major programs?
Donovan Dent
Any list of best transfers in the nation begins and ends with New Mexico guard Donovan Dent. Dent has spent his entire three-year career with the Lobos, entering the portal with one year remaining eligibility.
In 2024-25, he was one of the best scorers in the nation, ranking eighth in the nation with 20.4 points per game in a good Mountain West Conference.
Schools with interest: Kentucky, UCLA, Texas Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, Gonzaga, USC and Tennessee.
Bennett Stirtz
Stirtz is the 1B to Dent’s 1A. Everyone knows his story by now. He started in Division II, followed head coach Ben McCollum to Drake and captured the nation’s heart with his season with the Bulldogs.
Stirtz led Drake to an MVC regular-season and tournament titles, finishing the season with a 31-4 record. He led the team in points (19.2) and assists (5.7), while shooting nearly 50% from the field with volume.
While many teams were interested in Stirtz, he will reportedly follow McCollum to Iowa next season.
Ante Brzovic
Brzovic will be a risky add for anyone who decides to make a push for him in the portal. Due to his prior experience at the Division II level, Brzovic is applying for a waiver to grant him one final year of eligibility. Per reports, a lawsuit is likely to follow if the NCAA denies his waiver.
On the court, Brzovic is one of the most dynamic big men in the country. At 6-foot-10, the Croatian shot 32.2% from 3, scoring 18.4 points and grabbing 8.1 rebounds per game.
While the list of schools in contact with Brzovic is not yet known, many programs will have interest.
Oscar Cluff
If you want rebounds, South Dakota State big man Oscar Cluff is your guy. Cluff was second in the nation at 12.3 rebounds per game for the Jackrabbits in 2024-25, and was one of the country’s most efficient players at 63.4%.
So far, Cluff has been linked to Iowa State, Memphis and Purdue this offseason.
Blake Harper
Harper probably comes from the smallest school on this list, hailing from Howard out of the MEAC. However, that shouldn’t dissuade you from wanting him on your favorite team. Harper scored 19.5 points per game before being honored as the Player of the Year among all HBCUs.
He is also very versatile, hauling in 6.2 rebounds per game as a 6-foot-8 guard.
Michael Rataj
Just a year ago, Oregon State wasn’t considered a mid-major. They were a part of the Pac-12 but were left behind after the conference was pillaged by the Big 12 and Big Ten, completely absorbing all but two teams.
Oregon State then joined the West Coast Conference, one of the best conferences at the mid-major level. Rataj blossomed in his junior season, improving from 8.3 points per game to 16.9. The Augsburg, Germany native is expected to have many suitors in the coming weeks.
Dedan Thomas
As of Wednesday morning, Thomas is ranked third on 247’s top transfer portal rankings for this cycle. He’s simply a shot maker who can make a bucket at all three levels. He averaged 15.6 points per game for the UNLV Rebels this past season.
Kentucky is one of Thomas’s top suitors, as the Wildcats have reportedly been in contact with the guard.
