The most hectic time on the college football calendar has finally, and a bit unfortunately, relaxed.

Ohio State recently beat Notre Dame to win a national championship, so we're officially in that dreaded seven-month stretch with no games. In this early stage of the offseason, though, the break allows a moment to catch up on the last two whirlwind months.

More precisely, we mean the transfer portal.

Player movement has become the defining story of the winter. Coveted quarterbacks, rising stars and promising young talents alike create some noticeable trends around the sport.

Some teams do well; others not so much. It's all subjective because of context, but a few winners and losers have emerged.

Winner: Oregon

The season ended in disappointing fashion for Oregon, which rolled to a Big Ten title and entered the College Football Playoff as the nation's top team at 13-0. But in the Rose Bowl, a CFP quarterfinal, Ohio State thrashed the Ducks in a blowout.

But there's certainly no panic in Eugene.

Among the 11 outgoing transfers, none held a significant role in 2024. While that doesn't mean they aren't talented, Oregon is only replacing the production of graduating seniors or NFL-bound players.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have added a wave of experience. The offensive group includes linemen Isaiah World (Nevada), Emmanuel Pregnon (USC) and Alex Harkey (Texas State) in front of running back Makhi Hughes (Tulane). Tight end Jamari Johnson (Louisville) and wide receiver Malik Benson (Florida State) should contribute, too.

Defensive tackle Bear Alexander (USC) is a high-upside player up front, while cornerback Theran Johnson (Northwestern) and safety Dillon Thieneman (Purdue) will bolster the secondary.

Loser: Purdue

It's a good news/bad news kind of situation at Purdue.

New coach Barry Odom and his staff quickly worked to bring in 27 transfers (so far) and will continue reshaping the roster. Odom inherited a rebuild in West Lafayette and has embraced the challenge.

Still, that process begins with needing to replace an extensive group of starters from the 2024 team.

Young quarterback Ryan Browne went to North Carolina, and star tight end Max Klare bolted for Ohio State. Top receivers Jahmal Edrine and Jaron Tibbs headed to Virginia and Kansas State. Left tackle Mahamane Moussa chose Louisville, and right guard DJ Wingfield picked USC.

Dillon Thieneman, an All-American safety, left for Oregon. Linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (to Northwestern), edge-rusher Will Heldt (Clemson) and safety Antonio Stevens (TBD) were all top-five tacklers. Interior linemen Jeffrey M'Ba (SMU) and Cole Brevard (Texas) and corners Kyndrich Breedlove (Arizona State), Nyland Green (ASU) and Botros Alisandro (Old Dominion) each had significant roles, too.

Winner: Auburn

Auburn is desperate for improvement at quarterback. There are worse places to start than Jackson Arnold and Ashton Daniels.

It's undeniable that Arnold didn't play to expectations in 2024—he likely wouldn't have left Oklahoma otherwise. Still, his upside is worth chasing. Daniels also had a rough season at Stanford but brings two years of starting experience to bolster depth at the position.

The important thing is the Tigers both understood they needed and aggressively chased more surrounding talent.

Auburn brought in receivers Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech) and Horatio Fields (Wake Forest), along with likely starting tackles Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC). Running back Durell Robinson (Connecticut) eclipsed 800 total yards as a freshman, too.

Among the defensive transfers, the Tigers added edge-rusher Chris Murray (Sam Houston) and corner Raion Strader (Miami (OH)). Both of them earned first-team all-conference honors in 2024.

Loser: Arizona

Arizona surged in 2023 under Jedd Fisch, but the program struggled in Brent Brennan's first year during its Big 12 debut.

Now, the Wildcats are faced with a rebuild.

To date, 30 players have entered the portal. That includes three key defenders—lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, linebacker Jacob Manu and cornerback Tacario Davis—who have reunited with Fisch in Washington. The defense also needs to replace corner Emmanuel Karnley and safety Gunner Maldonado, who went to Miami and Kansas State, respectively.

Left guard Wendell Moe (Tennessee) and tight end Keyan Burnett (Kansas) round out the notable list of departures.

In the meantime, Arizona is putting a lot of trust into productive G5/FCS and inexperienced Power 4 transfers sparking the roster. It might work! But the 'Cats are committed to a gamble.

Winner: Miami

The main reason Miami wasted a chance to play for an ACC crown and/or make the College Football Playoff is the defense imploded. In particular, poor coverage was a major problem.

Safe to say the 'Canes are aware.

Miami attracted a mix of veterans and youth with corners Charles Brantley (Michigan State), Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin), Emmanuel Karnley (Arizona) and Ethan O'Conner (Washington State) and safety Zechariah Poyser (Jacksonville State) to restock the secondary. First-team All-Conference USA defensive tackle David Blay is a quality addition, as well.

The biggest name, of course, is Carson Beck. The former Georgia QB withdrew from the NFL draft to succeed Cam Ward. Beck will handle snaps from James Brockermeyer (TCU) and throw to wideout CJ Daniels (LSU) and third-team All-AAC tight end Alex Bauman (Tulane).

Losing wideout Isaiah Horton will sting, but Miami's other outgoing transfers either hadn't yet contributed or were in serious jeopardy of losing snaps because of the incoming players.

Loser: Wisconsin

Intentionally placed here behind Miami, Wisconsin has accused the Hurricanes of improperly contacting Xavier Lucas. There may or may not be lawsuits to follow in the future. (Did it happen? Maybe. Does everyone do it? Most likely. Can anything be done? Doubt it.)

Even beyond that situation, though, the Badgers are dealing with a hefty amount of turnover—especially behind center.

Tyler Van Dyke, who started the season as QB1 before a knee injury derailed his year, exited for SMU. His replacement, Braedyn Locke, went to Arizona, and presumed successor Mabrey Mettauer followed former UW offensive coordinator Phil Longo to Sam Houston.

Wisconsin is hoping Billy Edwards Jr., previously Maryland's starter. will solve that dilemma. However, he won't have top running back Tawee Walker (Cincinnati) and key receiver Will Pauling (Notre Dame).

In addition to losing Lucas, the Badgers saw D-linemen Curt Neal, Leon Lowery Jr. and James Thompson Jr. all bolt for Illinois.

Wisconsin just finished 5-7 and doesn't seem in a better position today.

Winner: LSU

LSU's offseason is off to an encouraging start.

Wide receiver CJ Daniels (to Miami) didn't produce as hoped in 2024, but he and safety Sage Ryan (Ole Miss) are notable losses. The rest of the Tigers' outbound group had some untapped upside—like defensive end Da'Shawn Womack (Ole Miss) and cornerback JK Johnson (Oklahoma State)—yet really hadn't produced in Baton Rouge.

On the other hand, LSU's incoming list features a host of transfers who are expected to impact the 2025 roster.

As quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns, an upgraded pass-catching group will include established wide receivers Nic Anderson (from Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky) and tight end Bauer Sharp (OU). Both center Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech) and guard Josh Thompson (Northwestern) bring multiple years of starting experience.

Edge-rushers Patrick Payton II (Florida State), Jack Pyburn (Florida) and Jimari Butler (Nebraska) upgrade the defensive front. Third-team All-ACC cornerback Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech) and nickel Tamarcus Cooley (North Carolina State) bolster the back end.