The 2026 transfer portal has produced several players who could materially change the national championship, CFP and conference races. I’d rank them based on proven production + talent + expected role + team impact, rather than simply portal recruiting grade.
Top 15 FBS Transfers for 2026
Rank Player Position 2025 School → 2026 School Why he matters
1 Sam Leavitt QB Arizona State → LSU Proven winner and dynamic dual-threat; LSU’s biggest portal addition
2 Brendan Sorsby QB Cincinnati → Texas Tech Big arm, mobility and proven production; potentially transformative for Tech
3 Drew Mestemaker QB North Texas → Oklahoma State One of the most productive passers to enter the portal
4 Cam Coleman WR Auburn → Texas Elite physical talent and explosive-play potential
5 Josh Hoover QB TCU → Indiana Experienced Power-conference QB joining the defending national champion
6 Jordan Seaton OT Tennessee → LSU Massive offensive-line addition with elite upside
7 Princewill Umanmielen EDGE Ole Miss → LSU High-level pass-rush talent; gives LSU another disruptive defender
8 DJ Lagway QB Florida → Baylor Former elite recruit looking for a reset; enormous upside if healthy
9 Nick Marsh WR Michigan State → Indiana Big, productive target who should immediately help Indiana’s passing game
10 Eugene Wilson III WR Florida → LSU Explosive slot/space weapon who could thrive in Lane Kiffin’s offense
11 Colton Joseph QB Old Dominion → Wisconsin Dual-threat QB who could give Wisconsin a different offensive identity
12 John Henry Daley EDGE Washington → Michigan Elite pass-rush production; PFF credited him with 51 pressures and 10 sacks in 2025
13 Aidan Chiles QB Michigan State → Northwestern Experienced starter with significant upside in a new environment
14 Michael Hawkins Jr. QB Oklahoma → West Virginia Athletic QB with Power Four experience; important piece of WVU’s rebuild
15 Aaron Philo QB Georgia Tech → Florida Won Florida’s QB competition and takes over for DJ Lagway
More quarterbacks
DJ Lagway — Baylor from Florida
Cutter Boley-Arizona State from Kentucky
Dylan Raiola- Oregon from Nebraska
Byrum Brown – Auburn from USF
Colton Joseph – Wisconsin from ODU
Alberto Mendoza – Georgia Tech from Indiana
Rocco Becht – Penn State from Iowa State
Biggest Defensive transfer?
John Henry Daley-Michigan from Utah
At Utah, Daley recorded 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss with 48 tackles and two forced fumbles.. He followed coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah to Michigan.
Most underrated?
S Koi Perich -Oregon from Minnesota
One of the best safeties in America. He’s also elite as a kick and punt returner.
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