Transfer Portal Tracking: Day 1 included players following coaches to new teams

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Transfer Portal Tracking: Day 1 included players following coaches to new teams

Transfer Portal Tracking: Day 1 included players following coaches to new teams originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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January 2, 2026, was a day circled on many calendars. However, very little was learned on day one that we did not already know. Day one did not deliver and big-name signings that moves the needle. Friday seemed to be more about positioning and setting up visits than actual signings.

Many of the names' viewers are excited about have made yet to make moves this early. While names like DJ Lagway, Dylan Raiola, Quintrevioun Wisner, Dylan Edwards, Omarion Miller, DeAndre Moore Jr, Nick Marsh, Chaz Coleman, Jayden Woods, Koi Perich and Boo Carter have not yet made any public indications, several others have.

Of the names that have indicated their transfer intentions, you should begin to see a theme revealing itself. The majority of players who are aligned with new teams, can be connected back to their previous head coach, continuing to be their future head coach at a different location.

The following are confirmed by 247Sports as of the end of business on January 2nd, 2026.

Quarterbacks

Late season darling and the nation's leading passer Drew Mestemaker plans to leave North Texas and follow his coach Eric Morris who is taking over at Oklahoma State. South Florida QB Byrum Brown is expected to leave USF to follow his former coach Alex Golesh to Auburn. Rocco Becht similarly from Iowa State to follow his Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State.

The remaining quarterbacks simply have new destinations without necessarily following their previous coach to a new location. Josh Hoover is expected to leave TCU and to sign with Curt Cignetti’s No. 1 playoff ranked Indiana Hoosiers. Kenny Minchey of Notre Dame to Nebraska, potentially to compete for the spot vacated by Dylan Raiola. Finally, Aaron Philo from Georgia Tech and to Florida.

Running Backs

While the list is not as long, there are two running backs who have also confirmed they are leaving their existing team to follow their coach to the coach’s new team. Caleb Hawkins of North Texas, like Mestemaker, going from North Texas to join Eric Morris at Oklahoma State. Carson Hansen of Iowa State joining Matt Campbell at Penn State.

Issac Brown from Louisville to the Texas Longhorns. While Turbo Richard was indicated to go to the Indiana Hoosiers. The running back group is not as loaded as the quarterback group, but like the quarterback group, they have some serious names who have yet to make their intentions known. The Wide Receiver and Offensive lineman position groups have not included any significant names by the end of the day on Friday.

Tight Ends

The Tight End group is more of players following coaches or a player in one case, to new destinations. Luke Reynolds to leave Penn State and follow James Franklin to Virginia Tech. Benjamin Brahmer leaving Iowa State for a reunion with Matt Campbell at Penn State. The player following a player should also not come as a surprise. USC TE Walker Lyons leaving Southern California to join his brother, 5-star QB Ryder Lyons in Provo Utah with BYU.

Defense has shown very little movement

The Defensive line players in the portal have given no indications of their intentions. With plenty of 4 and even some 5-star lineman and edge rushers are poised to make a decision, no decisions have been confirmed yet. Linebackers are almost the same story. Liona Lefau could leave Texas for BYU. As it pertains to the defensive backfield, only two names have revealed who they intend to sign with. Donovan Starr could leave Auburn for Vanderbilt. Marcus Neal Jr from Iowa State to follow Matt Campbell to Penn State. However, after the first day of the open Transfer Portal window is in the books, that is the list.

Most teams expected to be rather active in the Transfer Portal have yet to announce any official signings. Instead, a fair amount of those teams has confirmed visits in the immediate future. For example, the Colorado Buffaloes and Deion Sanders who have lost over 25 players to the portal and who’s defensive line has been decimated, have confirmed by multiple sources, four visits from four defensive lineman over the next five days. Coach Sanders, almost famous for his activity in the portal, has not publicly acknowledged anything official as of yet. 

Expect more portal movement news as those moves are confirmed over the next 14 days. College football is now in the only open portal window of the 2026 calendar.

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