CFB transfer portal winners, losers: Ex-Cal QB should have several options

Loser: Quarterback Malachi Nelson

From a five-star recruit to two-time transfer portal player, Nelson's college career has failed to launch.

Originally a USC recruit, Nelson left the Trojans last offseason and joined Boise State, where he backed up Maddux Madsen.

Nelson has 20 career pass attempts, so there aren't enough data points to know whether he was overvalued coming out of high school or has yet to find the right home to showcase his talent. But heading toward his third team in three seasons, it's fair to wonder why Nelson can't stick in one place.

Winner: Quarterback Jackson Arnold

Arnold started nine games for the Sooners in 2024 and went 154-of-246 (62.6%) for 1,421 yards (5.8 yards per attempt), 12 touchdowns and three interceptions overall.

He was benched for freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. but burned his redshirt after returning to the lineup during a 35-9 loss to South Carolina.

A former five-star recruit, Arnold could be the next former Sooners quarterback to thrive in a different setting. Caleb Williams won the Heisman in his first season at USC, while Dillon Gabriel has led Oregon to a 13-0 record and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Per On3, Arnold has received interest from SEC schools, including Auburn and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are led by coach Jeff Lebby, who recruited Arnold out of high school as Oklahoma offensive coordinator. 

Loser: Quarterback Matthew Sluka

Despite getting a head start in the portal, Sluka has less demand than other more talented quarterbacks.

Before departing UNLV earlier this season following an NIL dispute, Sluka led the Rebels to a 3-0 record.

A much more effective runner than thrower, Sluka rushed for 253 yards while only completing 43.8 percent of his passes in his first season at the FBS level.

Sluka played at FCS Holy Cross from 2020-23, where he fared much better. Per On3, Sluka ranks as the 21st-best transfer portal quarterback. Power conferences could likely do better than adding Sluka. At this point, he'll be an underwhelming consolation prize wherever he commits.

Winner: EDGE Ben Bell

The fifth-year senior Texas State defensive end redshirted after the Bobcats' first three games, preserving himself for a potential conference upgrade.

Bell had 10 sacks in 2023 to establish himself as one of the Sun Belt's best defensive players. 

Teams can never have too many pass-rushers, and Bell represents one of the most effective in the portal.

Loser: Quarterback Conner Weigman

Weigman's move to Houston from Texas A&M could be mutually beneficial, but it's still a disappointing end to Weigman's 2024.

The five-star 2022 recruit began the year as the Aggies' starting quarterback but permanently lost the job after an awful first half against LSU when he went 6-of-18 for 64 yards.

Backup Marcel Reed altered Texas A&M's season, leading the program to a massive regular-season finale with a spot in the SEC championship game on the line against Texas.

Weigman appeared in six games this season, going 64-of-114 (56.1%) for 819 yards (7.2 yards per attempt), three touchdowns and five interceptions. His completion percentage was 12.8 percentage points worse than in 2023.

Now, instead of leading a team that could be in the CFP mix, Weigman joins a Houston program that is 8-16 in its first two seasons as a Big 12 member. 

Winner: Tight end Max Klare

One of the few good things about Purdue's 2024 season, Klare should be headed for deservedly greener pastures.

Per Pro Football Focus, he received the third-highest receiving grade among Big Ten tight ends, trailing Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland.

This season, Klare had 51 receptions, 685 yards (13.4 yards per reception) and four touchdowns for the Boilermakers, arguably the worst power conference team.

Purdue went 1-11 and lost five games by 35 points or more.

On Thursday, Klare visited 2024 CFP finalist Texas.

After the season Klare just endured in West Lafayette, he's earned the right to play for a winner.