The December and January transfer window officially closed last week, and while there will still be plenty of commitment moves in the coming days, most programs have settled on the majority of their offseason transfer additions heading into the spring semester.
In this feature, Rivals.com looks at the 10 transfers that will have the biggest impact on the 2023 season for SEC teams.
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1. QB Devin Leary — Kentucky
Kentucky loses top-five draft pick Will Lewis, but will replace him with the best quarterback on the market. Devin Leary burst onto the scene in 2021 passing for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns with just five interceptions for NC State. His redshirt junior season was cut short last year after he tore his pectoral on Oct. 8 against Florida State, but he is expected to be cleared in time to participate in spring practice with the Wildcats.
Leary’s stylistic skill set should be a good fit for offensive coordinator Liam Cohen, who returned to Kentucky last year after spending one season with the Los Angeles Rams. The Wildcats return their top five from last season, giving Leary plenty of weapons to work with.
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2. WR Dominic Lovett — Georgia
Brock Bowers returns as a star tight end, but Georgia will need to overhaul its offense if it wants to win another title this year. Dominic Lovett is coming off a breakout season in which he led Missouri with 56 receptions for 846 yards while scoring three touchdowns. He could see those numbers go up this year as defenses focus on Bowers.
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3. WR Dont’e Thornton — Tennessee
Could Dont’e Thornton to be the next receiver to take advantage of Josh Heupel’s offense at Tennessee. The Volunteers are losing stars Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman to the NFL and need to find a new top target for the upcoming season. While Thornton posted modest numbers during his two years at Oregon, the former Rivals100 receiver showed promise late last season, tallying four catches for 151 yards in the Ducks’ 20-17 win over Utah. The 6-foot-5, 199-pound playmaker has plenty of speed to go with his tall frame. Look for Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III to throw some deep balls his way this fall.
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4. CB Tony Grimes — Texas A&M
Texas A&M was in dire need of defensive backs after its secondary was decimated by the transfer portal this offseason. After starting 28 games for North Carolina over the past three years, Tony Grimes should step in and immediately fill a first-team role for the Aggies. Grimes, a former five-star recruit, totaled 16 pass deflections over the past two seasons. The 6-foot, 195-pound linebacker can play either outside cornerback or outfield.
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5. CB Denver Harris — LSU
After playing in just five games last season with Texas A&M due to suspension, Denver Harris is set to take over a starting role at LSU. The former five-star recruit brings elite athleticism to the cornerback position and should be able to make it big playing behind the Tigers’ dangerous group of pass rushers.
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6. QB Graham Mertz — Florida
Florida was in desperate need of a quarterback after Anthony Richardson left for the NFL, Jalen Kitna was decommitted and Jaden Rashada decommitted due to NIL issues. After starting the past three seasons at Wisconsin, Graham Mertz will now fill the Gators’ void behind center.
Mertz, the No. 2 linebacker in the 2019 class, didn’t quite live up to his lofty projections, throwing for 5,332 yards and 38 touchdowns with 26 interceptions in 32 starts for the Badgers. However, Florida’s fresh start could see him improve his production this season.
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7. L.B. Monty Montgomery — Ole Miss
Monty Montgomery must immediately answer Ole Miss’ needs in the middle of its defense. Last season, the Louisville transfer recorded 11 tackles for loss and six sacks while collecting five defensive hurries and forcing four fumbles. First-year Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding found instant success with Henry ToToo after the linebacker transferred from Tennessee to Alabama two seasons ago. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Montgomery catch just as quickly for the Rebels.
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8. DL Justin Rogers — Auburn
Hugh Freeze hit the transfer portal hard after taking over for Auburn this offseason. Meanwhile Justin Rogers Seemingly the flashiest addition, the five-star nose tackle should play a huge role in reinvigorating the Tigers’ defense. The 6-foot-3, 332-pound defensive tackle won’t fill the stat sheet, but he’ll do a great job clogging running lanes.
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9. WR Aaron Anderson—LSU
Even though LSU returns four of its top five receivers this year, it’s very hard to pass up Aaron Anderson off this list. The five-star receiver ranks No. 2 overall Competitors transfer traces and should be a big part of the Tigers offense going forward. Anderson suffered a knee injury last offseason and played in just one game for Alabama last season. Now fully healthy, the New Orleans native offers elite speed and mobility as both a receiver and in the return game.
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10. TE CJ Dippre — Alabama
Alabama hasn’t been very active in this foreign transfer portal, but it has added an important piece to its offense at the end. CJ Dippre. The Maryland transfer had 30 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns last season. He could see more production at Alabama, given that the Crimson Tide may lean more on the tight end position as it looks to break in a new quarterback this offseason.