Transfer portal rankings 2026: Updated list of top college football players by position, from DJ Lagway to Dylan Raiola

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Transfer portal rankings 2026: Updated list of top college football players by position, from DJ Lagway to Dylan Raiola

Transfer portal rankings 2026: Updated list of top college football players by position, from DJ Lagway to Dylan Raiola originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

College football recruiting never stops, and that's true even in 2026. One of the biggest tools coaches use to build their respective rosters is the transfer portal.

Thanks to players having immediate eligibility when entering the portal, football rosters are now built by utilizing both the portal and traditional recruiting classes.

This year's college football transfer portal is a bit different from last year's. Starting in 2026, the winter transfer portal window opens Jan. 2 and runs for two weeks through Jan. 16. That is a change from recent years, during which the portal window opened in early December. The move to January allows players to enroll in spring classes on time at their new schools.

Another change to the portal window is that there was previously a spring window, but the NCAA has done away with it entirely. So if players want to go to a new school, this window is their only opportunity to do so.

So who are the biggest names to enter the portal so far? Here's a look at the top players to enter the portal and a breakdown of the biggest names by position.

MORE: List of QBs headed to the portal in 2026

Transfer portal rankings 2026: Top players available

Florida QB DJ Lagway 

Although some suspected DJ Lagway would stay on with new head coach Jon Sumrall coming to Gainesville, he is expected to enter the portal. The former five-star quarterback prospect from Willis, Texas had a solid true freshman season in 2024, throwing for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But he regressed in 2025, throwing for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, which led the SEC. 

With a fresh start elsewhere, he could immediately elevate a roster, assuming his turnover issues can be fixed. Expect some Texas schools to potentially be in the mix for Lagway. 

Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby

Sorsby has entered the portal after two highly productive seasons. The Denton, Texas native first transferred from Indiana and immediately established himself as the Bearcats' starter, posting 2,813 passing yards alongside 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2024, plus 447 rushing yards and 9 rushing scores. He cemented his status in 2025 by throwing for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions, while adding another 580 yards and 9 scores on the ground—a season that earned him All-Big 12 Second Team honors.

Sorsby is now widely considered one of the top quarterbacks available in the transfer market, receiving reported interest from LSU, Texas Tech, and Miami. His proven ability to be an efficient passer while simultaneously providing elite rushing production makes him a massive upgrade for any Power Four offense. Given his home-state roots and the Red Raiders' recent success, expect Texas Tech to be a particularly aggressive suitor for the dynamic quarterback's final season of eligibility.

Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer

Ethan Grunkemeyer spent the 2024 season backing up Drew Allar, and started his 2025 season doing the same. But Allar tore his ACL midseason, and Grunkemeyer threw for 1,339 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. As a redshirt sophomore in 2026, he will have at least three years of eligibility. 

Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola 

Nebraska signal-caller Dylan Raiola threw for 4,819 yards with 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over two seasons. His 2025 season was cut short in early November after he suffered a broken fibula. 

Raiola, the former five-star quarterback prospect from Buford, Georgia was a longtime UGA commit before flipping late to Nebraska. Raiola would have to compete for the starting job with Gunnar Stockton, in Athens, however. 

JMU QB Alonza Barnett II

Alonza Barnett helped lead the James Madison Dukes to a historic CFP berth in 2025, helped by his 2,806 yards passing with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added another 589 yards with 15 touchdowns on the ground. 

Barnett, from Greensboro, N.C., will be a welcomed addition to a power-conference school in need of a dual-threat quarterback. 

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt

This is Sam Leavitt's second time in the portal, transferring from Michigan State to ASU before the 2024 season. Although he helped lead the Sun Devils to a first-ever CFP berth last season, his numbers regressed in 2025, as he dealt with injuries. His season was ultimately cut short after a season-ending foot injury in late October. 

MORE: Explaining the sometimes strange bond linking Dylan Raiola to Patrick Mahomes

Transfer portal rankings 2026 by position 

Other notable names expected to enter the portal include Texas running back CJ Baxter, Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards, Auburn receiver Cam Coleman, Colorado receiver Omarion Miller, and Louisville defensive lineman AJ Green.

Quarterback 

  1. DJ Lagway, Florida
  2. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
  3. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
  4. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
  5. Bynum Brown, USF

Wide Receiver 

  1. Cam Coleman, Auburn 
  2. Omarion Miller, Colorado
  3. Nick Marsh, Michigan State
  4. Deandre Moore Jr., Texas
  5. Jayce Brown, Kansas State

Running Backs 

  1. CJ Baxter, Texas
  2. Isaac Brown, Louisville
  3. Caleb Hawkins, North Texas
  4. Hollywood Smothers, NC State
  5. Cam Cook, Jacksonville State

Tight End 

  1. Dorian Thomas, New Mexico
  2. Luke Reynolds, Penn State
  3. Walker Lyons, USC
  4. Hayden Hansen, Florida
  5. Gabe Burkle, Iowa State

Offensive lineman

  1. Lance Heard, Tennessee
  2. Xavier Chaplin, Auburn
  3. Andrew Sprague, Michigan
  4. Josh Atkins, Arizona State
  5. Nick Del Grande, Coastal Carolina

Defensive linemen

  1. AJ Green, Louisville 
  2. Mateen Ibirogba, Wake Forest
  3. Ian Geffrard, Arkansas
  4. Devan Thompkins, USC

EDGE rushers

  1. John Henry Daley, Utah
  2. Chaz Coleman, Penn State
  3. Jayden Woods, Florida
  4. Amaris Williams, Auburn
  5. London Merritt, Colorado

Linebackers

  1. Rasheem Biles, Pittsburgh
  2. Austin Romaine, Kansas State
  3. Robert Woodyard Jr., Auburn
  4. Ray Coney, Tulsa
  5. Owen Chambliss, San Diego State

Defensive backs 

  1. Koi Perich, Minnesota
  2. Zeke Berry, Michigan
  3. Jontez Williams, Iowa State
  4. Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State
  5. Marcus Neal, Missouri

Kickers/punters 

  1. Rhys Dakin, Iowa
  2. Mateen Bhaghani, UCLA
  3. Atticus Bertrams, Wisconsin
  4. Max Gilbert, Tennessee
  5. David Olano, Illinois

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos