In the current era of college football, the final game of the season doesn’t just mean that the offseason begins.

It also means that the transfer portal gets a lot more wild.

Some of the best players from levels outside of the FBS from this past season are testing the waters and garnering offers from major programs after standout seasons, up to and including major award finalists and winners.

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The portal is often home to proven stars who can play right away, and for the five players listed below (along with many more not mentioned), moves to high levels could be of large benefit to their stocks to play the game at a professional level one day.

Here’s a look at some of the biggest transfer portal moves from players who stood out this season on FloFootball, along with where they’re going next:

Max Brosmer, QB, New Hampshire

New school: Minnesota

The FCS leader in passing and total offense at the end of the regular season, Brosmer did it big with the Wildcats this season. Now, the 6-foot-2 Georgia native will get to do it big in the Big Ten Conference. 

A First Team All-CAA gunslinger and Second Team AP FCS All-American, UNH’s season disappointingly ended without a playoff run — even with a win over eventual playoff semifinalist Albany on its resume — but Brosmer did little to hurt his stock throughout the year, entering the portal after 3,464 passing yards and 29 touchdowns to just five interceptions. 

No one in the FCS threw for an average of more yards per game than Brosmer’s 313.6, and after visiting the Minnesota campus shortly after the Wildcats’ season ended, he quickly committed to the Golden Gophers in early December. 

With one year of eligibility remaining, the Walter Payton Award finalist now gets a massive chance to prove himself at the FBS level with a shot at a major-conference starting job, though he’ll probably have to compete for the role under center with the likes of Fresno State QB transfer Logan Fife, who also committed to the Golden Gophers over the weekend.

😱💣 WHAT! @maxtbro with a GREAT pass and @MylesThomason with an incredible catch! Wildcats up! @UNH_Football | @CAAFootball pic.twitter.com/3fPTOBJCqq

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 11, 2023

John Pius, LB, William & Mary

New school: Wisconsin

A tackle-for-loss machine with the Tribe, Pius finished second in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award as a sophomore in 2022 and was the only FCS player to be named to the Butkus Award Watch List — given annually to the best linebacker in college football, FBS included — entering the 2023 season. 

Finishing third in the CAA a season ago in both tackles for loss (16) and sacks (9.5), the former AP FCS All-American, CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time First Team All-CAA stud, Pius has legit pro potential as a 6-2, 235-pound edge rusher and someone who could wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines for years to come. Perhaps that played into the reasons why Pius opted to enter the portal and test himself at the FBS level, committing to Wisconsin earlier this month with a season of eligibility remaining and a year to prove himself to NFL scouts and general managers against a higher level of competition. 

There’s already some evidence that Pius will thrive there: William & Mary’s lone game against a power-conference opponent in 2023 was at Virginia in early October, and Pius had a beastly game against the Cavaliers as he tallied eight tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in the Tribe’s defeat in Charlottesville. 

Tribe ➡️ Badger@john_pius8, former LB for @WMTribeFootball and @CAAFootball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, entered the transfer portal this December and has announced his commitment to @BadgerFootball. pic.twitter.com/wVezRLWzDW

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) December 15, 2023

Caleb Curtain, DB, Elon

New school: Undecided

Curtain had 16 career tackles across his first two years at Elon entering this season, being an otherwise unheralded bench player on the Phoenix’s defense. Curtain’s incredible 2023 season, however, ensured that everyone who watched the CAA this year — along with many other observers at the power-conference level — got to know and remember his name. 

The speedy redshirt sophomore had a team-high 80 tackles for an Elon defense that held opponents to less than 200 passing yards per game on average and was picked to be a Second Team AP FCS All-American, as well as a First Team All-CAA nod as the only sophomore on the First Team defense. 

Curtain also had four interceptions on the season (including an electric pick-six in Elon’s season opener against Wake Forest) to boot, as well, making it little surprise that FBS programs have come calling for his commitment. 

Per Curtain’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account, he has received offers from the likes of Akron, Ball State, Western Michigan, and others to go with FCS offers from programs such as Delaware, Austin Peay, Wofford and several more as he looks for a new spot to continue his career with two seasons of eligibility left. 

The 4⃣ C's of an unstoppable defense: Crafty, Comanding, and Caleb Curtain.

Defensive back @CalebCurtain's breakout season is setting the tone for an @ElonFootball defense that ranks among the best in FCS in 2023.

Read More: https://t.co/773RjKHfHB pic.twitter.com/dylwN77n9j

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) October 5, 2023

Dymere Miller, WR, Monmouth

New school: Rutgers

One of the most coveted wide receiver targets in the transfer portal regardless of prior level, Miller was a monster for Monmouth this past season as arguably the top deep threat in FCS. The Hawks’ new all-time single-season leader in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,293), the First Team AP FCS All-American was the division’s receiving champion and had a slew of major FBS interest, visiting Texas Tech and planning another trip to Pitt after entering the transfer portal earlier this month. 

However, a visit with Rutgers and coach Greg Schiano this past weekend sealed the deal for Miller as the Pitt visit was canceled and he’ll be one of (if not the) top wideout for the Scarlet Knights in 2024 with a season of eligibility left to go. Miller won’t be going too far from the Monmouth campus for his next move — Rutgers’ campus in Newark, New Jersey is located about an hour’s drive away — but it’s a step up in level regardless as Miller will likely be one of the gems of offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca’s schemes and passing attack. 

With 10 career 100-yard games, Miller is explosive on routes and can flip a game upside down in a matter of a few plays — something the Scarlet Knights could use as they attempt to stay afloat for good in the Big Ten, posting a 6-6 record this season to earn their first winning regular season since 2014. 

Dymere Miller put on a clinic this weekend with an FCS season high of 333 receiving yards 👏@miller_dymere | @MUHawksFB | @CAAFootball pic.twitter.com/WTPySDjeQb

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 13, 2023

Alan Herron, OL, Shorter

New school: Penn State

How in the world did Herron, an underclassman from Jamaica who played for a 3-8 team in Division II this past season, earn a transfer to one of the most storied programs in college football? Gems slip through the cracks at first sometimes in the sport, and Herron — a 6-6, 310-pound wrecking ball on the O-line who reportedly had his share of major-conference offers once he entered the portal in the offseason — is no exception. 

Despite its struggles for much of the year, Shorter was third in the Gulf South Conference in rushing touchdowns (23) as Herron, an offensive tackle, helped make gaping holes for tailbacks to push through with his towering frame. 

As for the Nittany Lions, they’ll welcome getting a promising talent from the D-II ranks with two years of eligibility remaining as it should be an open competition for playing time on the PSU O-line next year; four of the team’s starters in the trenches are expected to be gone including All-American, First Team All-Big Ten nominee and highly-heralded future NFL Draft pick Olu Fashanu. 

Herron has a major test ahead of him as he’ll be blocking against some of the strongest and most talented D-linemen college football has to offer in the Big Ten, but after his humble beginnings at the D-II level, what’s there left to stop him now?

Blessed to received an offer from Penn State!!@RivalsPortal @Rivals @RecruitGeorgia pic.twitter.com/O5bIFjAoeG

— Alan Herron (@AlanHerron72) November 29, 2023