10 Biggest Winners in College Football's Transfer Portal for the 2026 Season
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The window to enter college football’s transfer portal for the 2026 season closed on Jan. 16, and the dust is beginning to settle on which teams won with the best class of additions and successfully reshaped their roster to contend next fall. Unlike previous years, the window spanning Jan. 2 through Jan. 16 is the only transfer period in college football. The spring window has been eliminated, which means the bulk of any player movement for ’26 has already happened or will play out in the next few weeks as the final top names find a new home.
Indiana hasn’t finished celebrating its ’25 national title, but coach Curt Cignetti is already onto next season. The Hoosiers landed one of the top portal classes to reload the roster and make another run at the Big Ten title next fall. The team Indiana beat (Miami) is also among the biggest winners. Coach Mario Cristobal didn’t land a hefty haul of transfers, but Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah was a huge get for this team. LSU, Texas, Texas Tech, and Ole Miss are just a few of the other teams that won college football’s transfer portal for ’26.
Although the portal is closed to new entries, players that filled out the necessary paperwork to enter by Jan. 16 don’t have to select a team right away. Those decisions can come at any point in the next few months, so more commitments are likely on the way for a handful of teams.
Several teams landed standout transfer hauls and more player movement is coming over the next few months. However, let’s spotlight 10 of the biggest winners after the portal window closed on Jan. 16 for the ’26 season.
10 Biggest Winners in College Football’s Transfer Portal for the 2026 Season
Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC
Indiana
The Hoosiers aren’t a one-hit wonder under coach Curt Cignetti. After back-to-back playoff appearances and winning the national championship over Miami in the 2025 season, Indiana is poised to become an annual contender for a spot in the 12-team field. A standout transfer class will reload the depth chart and help Cignetti’s team battle for the Big Ten title again, starting with TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to replace Fernando Mendoza under center. The offensive line should be a strength thanks to the returning starters, and the Hoosiers restocked Hoover’s supporting cast with pickups at running back (Turbo Richard from Boston College) and at receiver (Nick Marsh from Michigan State and Shazz Preston from Tulane).
A defense that limited teams to just 11.7 points a contest in ‘25 is also facing a significant offseason overhaul. However, coordinator Bryant Haines has several impact starters on the way from the portal to keep this unit near the top of the Big Ten. Chiddi Obiazor (Kansas State), Josh Burnham (Notre Dame), Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State), and Joe Hjelle (Tulsa) will help right away in the trenches. And in the secondary, Preston Zachman (Wisconsin), Jiquan Sanks (Cincinnati), and A.J. Harris (Penn State) restock a group that allowed only 10 passing scores in ‘25.
The Hoosiers also brought in three specialists, including punter Billy Gowers, who arrived in Bloomington from Honolulu after booming 49 punts for 46.2 yards per punt for Hawaii last year.
Kentucky
The Wildcats are likely to have low expectations in coach Will Stein’s debut. However, a standout transfer portal haul could help Kentucky surprise the SEC in ‘26.
Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey brings intriguing upside at quarterback, while Stein reloaded the offensive line by landing left tackle Lance Heard (Tennessee) and help for the interior in Coleton Price (Baylor) and Tegra Tshabola (Ohio State). A thin receiving corps got much-needed help with Nic Anderson (LSU) and Shane Carr (Southern Utah). CJ Baxter is an intriguing pickup at running back. After rushing for 659 yards in ‘23, Baxter missed all of ‘24 due to injury and was limited to 54 carries with the Longhorns last season. With another year to return to full strength, Baxter could be a difference-maker in the Kentucky backfield.
Stein also landed additions for all three levels of the defense. Linebacker Elijah Barnes (Texas), linemen Ahmad Breaux (LSU) and Dominic Wiseman (South Alabama), and defensive backs Jordan Castell (Florida) and Aaron Gates (Florida) headline the list of incoming transfers.
Louisville
This list is largely about talent teams were able to reel in from the portal. However, Louisville’s inclusion in this space also takes into account one massive transfer victory on the retention front for coach Jeff Brohm. After opting to transfer, running back Isaac Brown removed his name from the portal to return to Louisville in ‘26. Brown should be one of the ACC’s top players this fall.
Upgrading the quarterback spot was a must if Louisville wants to contend for a spot in the ACC title game. Although he’s light on experience, Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz isn’t short on talent. He’s an intriguing addition for Brohm as the team’s projected starting quarterback for ’26. Receivers Tre Richardson (Vanderbilt) and Lawayne McCoy (Florida State), along with tight end Brody Foley (Tulsa) were key additions to restock the weapons in the receiving corps. A revamped offensive line is arguably the biggest concern for Brohm this offseason, but a couple of additions from the portal add depth and competition across the board.
Change is coming to the defensive side of the ball with coordinator Ron English stepping away. While the staff remains in transition for ‘26, the personnel is in a good spot thanks to the arrival of a couple of portal pickups, including safety Koen Entringer (Iowa), edge Tyler Thompson (North Carolina), cornerback DJ Waller (Kentucky), lineman Jerod Smith (Kentucky), and defensive back Kaleb Beasley (Tennessee).
- Related: Early ACC Predictions for 2026
LSU
‘The Portal King’ is at it again. New coach Lane Kiffin wasted no time significantly reshaping LSU’s roster from the moment he arrived in Baton Rouge. In addition to a top recruiting class that reeled in 11 four or five-star prospects, Kiffin landed over 40 transfers from the portal to assemble one of the top classes in the nation.
Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt was one of the top quarterbacks in the portal and should be an excellent fit for Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s offense. The offensive line was a weak spot in ‘25, but Kiffin landed arguably the top tackle in the portal in Colorado’s Jordan Seaton. The receiver room needed depth and talent to help Leavitt next fall. The staff accomplished that goal by bringing in several playmakers, including Tre Wilson (Florida), Winston Watkins (Ole Miss), Tre Brown (Old Dominion), Jackson Harris (Hawaii), and Jayce Brown (Kansas State).
Although the transfers on offense drew most of the attention, LSU’s defense also won its share of battles in the portal. Edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen (13 TFL in ‘25 at Ole Miss), defensive back Faheem Delane (Ohio State), lineman Jordan Ross (Tennessee), safety Ty Benefield (Boise State), and linebacker T.J. Dottery (Ole Miss) will help coordinator Blake Baker keep this unit near the top of the SEC.
Miami
Landing the ACC’s top transfer class will only aid the Hurricanes in their quest to make another College Football Playoff run in 2026. Coach Mario Cristobal’s portal haul is light on quantity (less than 15 committed transfers), but the quality is high with this group.
Getting Duke quarterback Darian Mensah to enter the portal and transfer to Coral Gables was a huge late victory in the portal for the ‘Canes. Mensah has ranked among college football’s top signal-callers now at two different stops (Tulane and Duke) and is arguably the ACC’s top returning quarterback for ‘26. Receiver Cooper Barkate (72 catches for 1,106 yards) followed Mensah from Duke to Coral Gables to give Miami another standout weapon on the outside with rising star Malachi Toney.
The play of the defensive line was a big reason why Cristobal’s team made the national championship game. This unit needed to reload after standouts Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor departed, with Keona Davis (Nebraska), Damon Wilson II (Missouri), and Jarquez Carter (Ohio State) arriving from the portal to provide instant help.
Oklahoma State
In the transfer portal era, the combination of the right class of transfers and coaching staff can quickly change the fortunes of one program. The Cowboys fit that mold in ‘26 as they enter a new era with head coach Eric Morris arriving after an impressive stint at North Texas.
Oklahoma State’s roster is set to look drastically different this fall. Over 60 players transferred out, with another 50-plus set to arrive from the portal. Included in Morris’ transfer class is a handful of players from North Texas, including star quarterback Drew Mestemaker (312.8 passing yards a game in ‘25) and standout skill players in running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young. With the trio of Mestemaker, Hawkins, and Young in place, Morris won’t have much trouble generating offense in his Stillwater debut.
Help is also coming on defense for new coordinator Skyler Cassity. Linebacker Ethan Wesloski (113 tackles), safety Quinton Hammonds (53), and linemen Keviyan Huddleston (9.5 TFL) and Saadiq Clements (5.5) followed Cassity from Denton to Stillwater. Florida State transfer James Williams (8.5 career sacks) should also provide help off the edge.
- Related: Early Big 12 Predictions for 2026
Ole Miss
New coach Pete Golding’s tenure is already off to a strong start thanks to two wins in the College Football Playoff. Additionally, Golding maintained Ole Miss’ recent success in the transfer portal by landing one of the top classes in the SEC.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss could receive another year of eligibility to play in ‘26. However, if Chambliss’ waiver isn’t approved, Golding landed a fallback option in Auburn transfer Deuce Knight. The former four-star prospect in the ‘25 signing class shined in limited action and should thrive in the Rebels’ offensive scheme. Whichever quarterback takes the snaps in ‘26 will benefit from the arrival of tackle Carius Curne (LSU) in the trenches, and the receiving corps restocked with commitments from Darrell Gill Jr. (Syracuse), Isaiah Spencer (Virginia Tech), Horatio Fields (Auburn), Johntay Cook (Syracuse), and Cameron Miller (Kentucky).
Improving a defense that allowed 26.3 points in SEC play in ‘25 was a priority for Golding in the portal. Help is on the way, as Golding scored a late flip of California linebacker Luke Ferrelli from Clemson. Ferrelli joins former Baylor standout Keaton Thomas to solidify a second level that saw T.J. Dottery depart for LSU. Jehiem Oatis (Colorado) and Michai Boireau (Florida) fortify the trenches, while Blake Purchase (Oregon), Jordan Renaud (Alabama), and Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada) help at edge. Cornerbacks Jay Crawford (Auburn) and Sharif Denson (Florida), along with fellow defensive backs in Edwin Joseph (Florida State) and Joenel Aguero (Georgia) restock the secondary.
Texas
Quality over quantity is the theme for coach Steve Sarkisian’s portal haul. The Longhorns reeled in one of the SEC’s smaller transfer hauls (19 players), but this portal class is high on value and potential impact.
Auburn transfer receiver Cam Coleman is the biggest get for Sarkisian. With the ability to stretch the field and make plays in the red zone (13 career touchdown grabs), Coleman gives quarterback Arch Manning a valuable No. 1 option. The rushing attack should find a spark with the arrival of Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State). Smothers brings more of a physical presence to the backfield, while Brown can serve as an all-purpose threat. Michigan State transfer tight end Michael Masunas should alleviate the loss of Jack Endries to the NFL. Also, Melvin Siani (Wake Forest), Jonte Newman (Texas A&M), Laurance Seymore (Western Kentucky), and Dylan Sikorski (Oregon State) add depth and options to an offensive line that struggled at times in ‘25.
Six transfers arrive to restock the defense under new coordinator Will Muschamp. That haul includes standout Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles, along with cornerback Bo Mascoe (Rutgers) and defensive lineman Ian Geffrard (Arkansas) as likely starters or major impact contributors in ‘26.
Texas A&M
After Texas A&M won 11 games and earned a trip to the College Football Playoff in ‘25, coach Mike Elko clearly has this program trending in the right direction. The Aggies needed to win in the portal to make a deeper run in ‘26, and Elko certainly filled the team’s biggest needs.
With dynamic receiver Kevin Concepcion off to the NFL, Elko landed Isaiah Horton (Alabama) and tight ends Richie Anderson (Fresno State) and Houston Thomas (UTSA) to restock the weapons for quarterback Marcel Reed. Turnover along the offensive line is a major concern, but help is on the way from the portal. Four transfers from SEC programs – Wilkin Formby (Alabama), Trovon Baugh (South Carolina), Coen Echols (LSU), and Tyree Adams (LSU) – are expected to push for snaps right away.
Texas A&M’s defense ranked among the best in the SEC (21 points a game allowed) but was vulnerable to the run at times. This unit has reinforcements coming from the portal, including CJ Mims (North Carolina), Angelo McCullom (Illinois), and Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado). Edge rushers Anto Saka (Northwestern) and Ryan Henderson (San Diego State) will help a pass rush losing Cashius Howell (11.5 sacks in ‘25). Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson could be among the top cornerback pickups in the portal, while safety Tawfiq Byard (Colorado) is an impact add at safety.
Texas Tech
For the second offseason in a row, the Red Raiders landed the Big 12’s top transfer haul and easily one of the best classes in the nation.
Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati) is one of the top quarterbacks in the portal and arrives in Lubbock after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in ‘25. Texas Tech returns one of the top running back units in the nation, so coach Joey McGuire spent a lot of portal resources on shoring up the receiving corps with Malcolm Simmons (Auburn), Kenny Johnson (Pitt), Donte Lee (Liberty), and Jalen Jones (Alabama State).
Marked improvement on defense was a big reason why Texas Tech won the Big 12 in ‘25, but this unit is losing a handful of key pieces, including edge rushers David Bailey and Romello Height, tackle Lee Hunter, and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. While those losses are massive, McGuire has this unit positioned for a quick reload after landing standouts in Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest), Trey White (San Diego State), Adam Trick (Miami, Ohio), and Julien Laventure (Akron) in the trenches. Linebacker Austin Romaine earned second-team All-Big 12 honors at Kansas State last season and will help to alleviate the loss of Rodriguez on the second level next fall.
Next Tier of Transfer Portal Winners
Arizona State
Auburn
Michigan
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Penn State
Virginia Tech
Related: College Football Top 25 for 2026: Athlon’s Way-Too-Early Picks
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Related: Way-Too-Early Heisman Trophy Contenders for the 2026 College Football Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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