The college football transfer portal officially slammed shut Jan. 16, but the player movement hasn’t completely stopped. A brief extension (Jan. 20-24) allows potential transfers from national championship participants Indiana and Miami to join new schools.
While some transfers are still shopping for the right fit, many of the biggest names available didn’t waste much time finding their next stop.
As the dust settles on another chaotic portal cycle, here’s a look at 10 of the most impactful transfers you need to know — and where they’ll be playing in 2026 — listed in alphabetical order:
WR Cam Coleman | Auburn to Texas
Key 2025 stats: 56 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Five stars, No. 6 overall and No. 1 at wide receiver
Coleman (6-foot-3 and 201 pounds) is a terrific pick-up for the Longhorns, although he must be more consistent on the field. He’ll join QB Arch Manning and No. 1 wideout Ryan Wingo, who led Texas with 834 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches as a sophomore. “What a win for the Longhorns in a battle against Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Alabama for one of the top returning players in the sport,” ESPN noted recently.
Edge Chaz Coleman | Penn State to Tennessee
Key 2025 stats: Six solo tackles, eight total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one pass breakup
Transfer portal ranking from 247Sports: Five stars, No. 7 overall and No. 2 at edge
While Coleman (6-foot-4 and 246 pounds) didn’t play a ton as a freshman with the Nittany Lions, he figures to have a key role with the Volunteers. He’s an agile, explosive athlete. He’ll play under new Volunteers DC Jim Knowles, who coached him last season at Penn State.
RB Caleb Hawkins | North Texas to Oklahoma State
Key 2025 stats: 231 carries for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Four stars, No. 23 overall and No. 1 at running back
Hawkins (6-foot-2 and 200 pounds) had a fabulous 2025 campaign and should start for Oklahoma State. “He catches the ball well, he’s quick to reach his top-end speed and he’s tough to tackle in space as a receiver out of the backfield,” ESPN’s Steve Muench noted recently.
DL Mateen Ibirogba | Wake Forest to Texas Tech
Key 2025 stats: Seven solo tackles, 21 total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Four stars, No. 10 overall and No. 2 at defensive lineman
Landing one of the top DLs in the portal was a huge recruiting win for the Red Raiders, an NIL powerhouse. Ibirogba (6-foot-3 and 296 pounds) has NFL potential. “He primarily lines up on the inside, but he’s versatile enough to play anywhere along the defensive line,” ESPN’s Steve Muench wrote recently.
QB Sam Leavitt | Arizona State to LSU
Key 2025 stats: Completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,628 yards. Also threw for 10 touchdowns and three interceptions
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Five stars, No. 1 overall and No. 1 at QB
In Leavitt (6-foot-2 and 205 pounds), new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin picked up perhaps the top QB in the portal. This is a huge win for a program that needs a quality starter at the most important position. Leavitt missed five games last season because of a right foot injury.
QB Drew Mestemaker | North Texas to Oklahoma State
Key 2025 stats: Completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,379 yards He threw for 34 TDs and tossed nine interceptions
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Five stars, No. 3 overall and No. 3 at quarterback
Mestemaker (6-4 and 211 pounds) had a massive 2025 season and will start for the Cowboys, who finished last in the Big 12 last season (1-11). According to the Tulsa World, he will make $3.5 million in his first season with Oklahoma State (h/t Denton Record-Chronicle).
WR Omarion Miller | Colorado to Arizona State
Key 2025 stats: 45 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Four stars, No. 13 overall and No. 3 at wide receiver
Miller (6-foot-2 and 210 pounds), who had a breakout 2025, is a speedy wideout and YAC threat. He projects as the Sun Devils’ No. 1 receiver.
QB Brendan Sorsby | Cincinnati to Texas Tech
Key 2025 stats: Completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Five stars, No. 2 overall and No. 2 at quarterback
Sorsby will be Texas Tech’s starting QB and a likely contender for the Heisman Trophy. This is a huge win for the NIL powerhouse Red Raiders, who could return to the College Football Playoff with a strong season from Sorsby. “This is an instinctive player in the pocket with elite processing and navigation skills when pressured,” ESPN’s Tom Luginbill wrote recently about the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder.
Edge Princewill Umanmielen | Ole Miss to LSU
Key 2025 stats: 18 solo tackles, 45 total tackles, nine sacks, one interception and one pass breakup
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Five stars, No. 5 overall and No. 1 at edge.
Umanmielen (6-foot-5 and 245 pounds) will be one of the nation’s leading pass-rushers for Kiffin, who coached him last season at Ole Miss. According to Grant Hughes of 247Sports, “LSU’s class is already the highest-rated transfer haul since 2022.” His older brother, Princely, is a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers.
Edge Damon Wilson II | Missouri to Miami
Key 2025 stats: Nine solo tackles, 23 total tackles, nine sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception and two pass breakups
Transfer portal rankings from 247Sports: Four stars, No. 8 overall and No. 3 at edge
Wilson (6-foot-4 and 250 pounds) is a freak athlete and will help fill the void left by star edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who is expected to be a high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. “Explosive and relentless,” ESPN’s Steve Muench wrote of Wilson.
