Top College Football Transfer Portal Players Ranked
January 7, 2026
Top 25 Players in the NCAA Transfer Portal for College Football
The NCAA transfer portal is now officially open for college football players, marking a pivotal moment for teams across the country. The offseason transfer portal window for FBS and FCS players opened at midnight ET on January 2 and extends through January 16. With no spring transfer period this year, teams have one big chance to reshape their rosters for the 2026 season.
Here are the top 25 players currently in the portal, based on production, experience, potential, demand, and feedback from coaches and general managers throughout the sport. These rankings will be updated frequently as more high-profile players enter the portal and make commitments.
1. Brendan Sorsby, QB – Transferring from Cincinnati to Texas Tech
Background:
Sorsby developed into one of the top passers in college football at Cincinnati. He produced 5,613 passing yards plus 1,027 rushing yards over his two seasons with the Bearcats, totaling 63 touchdowns and 16 turnovers. He was a top-10 QB this season in QBR and PFF grading and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors.
Scout’s Take:
Sorsby is a three-year starter with excellent size, arm strength, and mobility. He can make off-platform throws, drop the ball in when throwing downfield, and can get the ball out quickly on RPOs. He anticipates extremely well and helps players get open with his throws. He’s a powerful runner with excellent size and good quickness.
What He Brings to Texas Tech:
The Red Raiders were not going to be outbid in their battle with LSU for Sorsby. He was the Plan A for coach Joey McGuire and his staff, a proven Big 12 starter and Texas native who can elevate an offense that ranked No. 2 nationally in points per game this season before the shutout loss to Oregon in the CFP quarterfinal.
2. Cam Coleman, WR – Transferring from Auburn
Background:
Coleman, the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 Sportify300, is one of the most talented wide receivers in college football. He turned 93 catches into 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over his first two seasons in the SEC. He led the Tigers in receiving as a sophomore and proved he can take over games.
Scout’s Take:
Coleman is one of the most talented receivers in the country with one of the best highlight reels. He averages 14 yards per catch over his two seasons at Auburn. He drops some passes but has the ability to come down with contested circus catches. He has the second gear to run by corners and tracks the deep ball well.
3. Sam Leavitt, QB – Transferring from Arizona State
Background:
Leavitt helped lead the Sun Devils to a special season in 2024 and was the Big 12’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year entering 2025. He put up 3,328 total yards, 29 total TDs, and only six interceptions with a top-10 QBR (80.0) while earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Scout’s Take:
Leavitt is a two-year starter who completed 61.4% of his passes for 4,513 yards and 34 touchdowns over the past two seasons despite sitting out five games in 2025. He evades pressure with his quick feet, keeps his eyes downfield as he negotiates the pocket, and makes off-platform throws.
4. Jacarrius Peak, OT – Transferring from NC State
Background:
Peak is a rare offensive tackle with extensive experience. He developed into a 33-game starter for the Wolfpack and earned honorable mention All-ACC recognition as a junior. He made the move from right to left tackle in 2025 and has surrendered only four sacks in more than 1,100 career snaps in pass protection.
Scout’s Take:
Peak is athletic with the ability to seal the edge, reach backside defensive tackles, and work up to the second level as a zone blocker. He has explosive power, there’s an edge to his game, and he can uncoil on defenders. His footwork is inconsistent, but he recovers well and has the tools to develop into an elite pass blocker.
5. Mateen Ibirogba, DT – Transferring from Wake Forest to Texas Tech
Background:
Ibirogba made his move to the ACC in 2024 after two seasons as a starter at FCS Georgetown. He bulked up past 290-plus pounds to focus on playing interior defensive line. This season, he put together a breakthrough year with 21 tackles, 19 pressures, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
What He Brings to Texas Tech:
This is another massive get for the Red Raiders as they add depth to their defensive line for 2026. They hit on all three of their defensive tackle additions a year ago with transfers Lee Hunter, A.J. Holmes Jr., and Skyler Gill-Howard (when healthy) all exceeding expectations.
6. Drew Mestemaker, QB – Transferring from North Texas to Oklahoma State
Background:
Mestemaker led the nation’s leading passer after a prolific season leading the No. 1 scoring offense in college football. He threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading the Mean Green to the conference title game and a school-record 12 wins.
What He Brings to Oklahoma State:
The Cowboys will try to pull off one of the most ambitious roster flips in college football in 2026. Mestemaker stayed loyal to coach Eric Morris and offensive coordinator Sean Brophy and trusted this is the best coaching and offensive system for his continued development.
7. Koi Perich, S – Transferring from Minnesota
Background:
Perich is a dynamic athlete who turned down big-time offers to stay home and play for the Gophers. He earned Freshman All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors after grabbing five interceptions in his debut season. He was a three-way player as a sophomore, adding snaps at receiver while putting together another All-Big Ten season at safety.
Scout’s Take:
Perich is a dynamic athlete with top-level production on defense and special teams. He has a good frame with room for added bulk and strength. He’s a multidimensional playmaker who excelled in basketball and track and field out of high school.
8. John Henry Daley, Edge – Transferring from Utah
Background:
Daley earned All-America honors in his first season as a full-time starter with the Utes and ranked among the top five nationally in tackles for loss (17.5) and sacks (11.5). He also logged the fourth-best pressure rate on edge rushes (19.6%) among all FBS pass rushers.
Scout’s Take:
He is a proven plug-and-play veteran who is a very productive edge defender. He is stout and very physical in the run game, excels holding gap integrity, and understands how to fit with nasty intentions in the run game.
9. Chaz Coleman, Edge – Transferring from Penn State
Background:
Coleman wowed Penn State coaches during his first offseason in the program and generated a lot of hype that he had all the tools to develop into a first-round pick down the road. He played 144 snaps during his debut season and showed flashes with 12 pressures, 3 TFLs, and 1 strip sack against FIU.
Scout’s Take:
Coleman is an ascending pass rusher who can keep blockers’ hands off him, turn the corner as a speed rusher, and drive tackles when he transitions from speed to power. He can work inside when tackles try to take away the edge and is fluid enough to win with weave moves.
10. Jayden Woods, Edge – Transferring from Florida
Background:
Woods earned a good role in his true freshman season with the Gators and produced 28 tackles, 13 pressures, 5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception against Ole Miss. He showed the ability to play major snaps right away in the SEC.
Scout’s Take:
Woods is a dynamic athlete with an exceptional frame. He was an all-state discus and shot putter in high school and an accomplished wrestler at 230 pounds. He now weighs 248 and is as explosive as any young edge defender in the country.
11. Omarion Miller, WR – Transferring from Colorado to Arizona State
Background:
Miller delivered a stunning 197-yard receiving performance against USC as a true freshman in 2023. After a season-ending leg injury cut his sophomore season short, he came back strong in 2025 with 45 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors.
What He Brings to Arizona State:
Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils developed former Colorado transfer Jordyn Tyson into a projected first-round NFL draft pick. Now they’re bringing in one of the Big 12’s best wideouts as their next No. 1 receiver.
12. Nick Marsh, WR – Transferring from Michigan State to Indiana
Background:
Marsh caught 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns over his two seasons with the Spartans, leading the team in receiving in back-to-back seasons. He broke the program’s true freshman receiving records in 2024 and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection this season.
What He Brings to Indiana:
Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers are reloading for 2026 and now have an opportunity to compete for the best of the best in the transfer portal. Marsh is a terrific get for the Hoosiers offense who should step right in for graduating senior Elijah Sarratt as a true No. 1 receiver next year.
13. Trey White, Edge – Transferring from San Diego State to Texas Tech
Background:
White has been a dominant force for the Aztecs and one of the top pass rushers in college football, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors in back-to-back seasons while producing a combined 29 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks.
What He Brings to Texas Tech:
The Red Raiders know elite pass rushers are worth every penny and just helped David Bailey develop into a first-round NFL draft pick in his lone season in Lubbock. White was a must-get for Tech as it works to replace Bailey and Romello Height.
14. Byrum Brown, QB – Transferring from South Florida to Auburn
Background:
Brown led all FBS quarterbacks with 42 total touchdowns in the regular season and had the No. 1 QBR and PFF grade among all Group of 5 starters while leading an offense that averaged 43 points, fourth most nationally. He’s dangerous on the move and rushed for 1,008 yards this season.
What He Brings to Auburn:
This was a no-brainer as soon as Golesh got the job at Auburn, and the Tigers lost all three of their QBs who started games in 2025 because it was obvious Brown was on the way. It’ll be exciting to see him take a step up in competition with his USF teammates.
15. Demond Williams Jr., QB – Transferring from Washington
Background:
Williams flashed big-time potential in his first full season as the Huskies’ starter, finishing second in the Big Ten in total offense with 3,676 yards, 31 total touchdowns, and 11 turnovers. The former Sportify300 recruit originally signed with Arizona but followed coach Jedd Fisch and his staff to Seattle.
Scout’s Take:
Williams is built like a slot receiver and runs like one. He’s extremely talented and a true dual-threat who’s at his best when the play breaks down and he’s creating with his feet and instincts. He’s very explosive as a runner and is really elusive in the open field.
16. Josh Hoover, QB – Transferring from TCU to Indiana
Background:
Hoover took over for injured Chandler Morris during his redshirt freshman season in 2023 and never looked back, starting 31 consecutive games for the Horned Frogs and developing into one of the Big 12’s most productive passers. He broke TCU’s single-season passing record with 3,949 yards in 2024.
What He Brings to Indiana:
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and his staff have coached five QBs who’ve earned conference Offensive Player of the Year honors since 2019. Hoover gets to try to be next in line as an overqualified successor to potential No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
17. Rocco Becht, QB – Transferring from Iowa State to Penn State
Background:
Becht will be the most experienced returning Power 4 starter in the game next season, a 39-game starter with significant big-game experience who far exceeded three-star expectations during his career with the Cyclones. He has won 26 games as a starter and led Iowa State to the Big 12 title game in 2024.
What He Brings to Penn State:
Matt Campbell getting his trusted starter and team leader to join him in Happy Valley was never really in question once Becht officially entered the portal. They’re going to face new challenges together in their first year in the Big Ten.
18. Reed Harris, WR – Transferring from Boston College
Background:
Harris, a three-star gem out of the state of Montana, developed into a two-year starter for the Eagles and has turned 57 career catches into 1,161 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He’s an explosive threat who averaged a whopping 28.6 yards per reception in 2024.
Scout’s Take:
Harris is physical and a matchup issue for defenses based on his big frame and can play in the slot or outside. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch this season and was a threat after the catch because of his size and ability to break tackles.
19. Amaris Williams, Edge – Transferring from Auburn
Background:
Williams arrived at Auburn with big-time expectations and is still working toward a breakthrough after two years with the Tigers. He played 196 snaps as a sophomore and produced 14 tackles, 8 pressures, 6 TFLs, and 2 sacks while playing in a rotational role behind projected first-round pick Keldric Faulk.
Scout’s Take:
Williams wins with explosive power, pad level, and violent hands as a run defender. He has a good motor and closes well chasing from the backside. He’s a relentless pass rusher who gets off the ball well and drives blockers when he transitions from speed to power.
20. Ian Geffrard, DT – Transferring from Arkansas to Texas
Background:
Geffrard started all 12 games for the Razorbacks and was credited with 25 tackles, 5 pressures, 4 TFLs, and 1 pass breakup. He logged 446 snaps on the season, an impressive total given his size, and was effective against the run with nine run stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.
What He Brings to Texas:
Geffrard is a much-needed big force up the middle for new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and the Longhorns. He’ll step in for departing seniors Hero Kanu and Cole Brevard as a plug-and-play starter with real SEC experience.
21. DeAndre Moore Jr., WR – Transferring from Texas
Background:
Moore, a top-100 recruit coming out of St. John Bosco in California, put together two productive seasons with the Longhorns, logging 77 career catches for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns. He put together several breakout games in his first season in the SEC.
Scout’s Take:
Moore can sink his hips and accelerate out of cuts at the top of routes. He runs well and is effective at running deep crossing routes. As an explosive, open-field runner, Moore can make the first defender miss and threaten after the catch.
22. Caleb Hawkins, RB – Transferring from North Texas to Oklahoma State
Background:
In his first college season, Hawkins led all FBS players with 29 total touchdowns and produced 1,804 yards from scrimmage (third most in FBS) to earn All-America honors and American Conference Rookie of the Year. He surpassed 200 total yards in six games for the Mean Green.
What He Brings to Oklahoma State:
No surprise here that Hawkins is joining Mestemaker and Morris in Stillwater. Hawkins will have a lot of hype to live up to in his first season in the Big 12, but he’s also going to benefit from a full year of offseason development.
23. Hollywood Smothers, RB – Transferring from NC State to Alabama
Background:
Smothers led the ACC and ranked among the top 10 in FBS in missed tackles forced (71). He’s a patient runner who can sift through traffic between the tackles and bounce runs outside. He’s quick through the hole as an inside runner.
What He Brings to Alabama:
The Crimson Tide ranked No. 125 nationally in rushing yards per game (104.1) this season, a stat that would have been unimaginable in the Nick Saban era. Kalen DeBoer needed to get a featured back he can rely on in 2026 and landed an explosive one in Smothers.
24. Raleek Brown, RB – Transferring from Arizona State
Background:
Brown had a fascinating journey before finally breaking through in 2025. He transferred to Arizona State for a fresh start in 2024 and to play running back again, but struggled with a nagging hamstring injury in his first year. After bulking up 25 pounds without losing speed, Brown earned first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Scout’s Take:
Very similar to Isaac Brown at Louisville and Hollywood Smothers at NC State. Brown is on the shorter side but has elite short-area quickness and 0-to-60 burst. He’s a home run threat in the open field.
25. Dylan Raiola, QB – Transferring from Nebraska
Background:
Raiola led all FBS freshmen and broke the program’s freshman record with 2,819 passing yards in 2024 while leading the Huskers to their first bowl game since 2016. He struggled at times to operate behind a poor offensive line, taking 27 sacks over nine games, but still threw for 2,000 yards on 72% passing with 18 TDs and eight turnovers.
Scout’s Take:
Raiola is accurate and can make layered throws over the middle when he gets the ball out on time and throws with a strong base. He’s effective when rolling to his right and keeps his eyes downfield as he climbs the pocket.
Final Thoughts
The NCAA transfer portal is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and impactful periods in college football history. With these top 25 players, teams across the country are set to make bold moves to strengthen their rosters for the 2026 season. Whether it’s a quarterback looking to prove himself at the Power 4 level or a defensive tackle aiming to become a first-round pick, the opportunities are vast. As the portal continues to evolve, fans can expect more surprises and high-stakes decisions that will shape the future of college football.