Top College Teams Making Big Moves in Transfer Portal

College football is buzzing with excitement as teams rush to secure top talent through the transfer portal. With the portal open until January 16, programs are scrambling to sign new players and set the stage for the 2026 season. Let's take a closer look at some of the top classes and the impact these moves could have on next year's national championship race.

LSU

Quarterback Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
Receiver Winston Watkins (Ole Miss)
Safety Ty Benefield (Boise State)
$25-30 million NIL budget

LSU is making waves with a massive transfer class, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt. Leavitt, who helped lead Arizona State to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in 2024, is expected to make a significant impact in Baton Rouge. LSU has also added a mix of Power Four talents and high-production Group of Five standouts. With a $25-30 million NIL budget, LSU is poised for an immediate turnaround and a shot at the national title.

Texas

Quarterback Arch Manning
Wide Receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn)
Wide Receiver Ryan Wingo (All-SEC)
Running Back Hollywood Smothers (NC State)
Running Back Raleek Brown (Arizona State)

Texas, despite a disappointing 2025 season, is rebuilding with a strong transfer class. Arch Manning, who improved down the stretch of his first year as the starter, will have a full arsenal of weapons at his disposal in 2026. With these additions, Texas is a legitimate contender for the national title in 2026.

Penn State

Head Coach Matt Campbell
Quarterback Rocco Becht (Iowa State)
Running Back Carson Hansen (Iowa State)
Receivers Brett Eskildsen & Chase Sowell (Iowa State)

Penn State is experiencing a massive exodus following James Franklin's firing, and new head coach Matt Campbell is bringing in a massive portal class to fill the gaps. Campbell has brought in 22 players from Iowa State, including quarterback Rocco Becht, leading rusher Carson Hansen, and leading receivers Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell.

Oklahoma State

Head Coach Eric Morris
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker (North Texas)

Oklahoma State's new head coach Eric Morris is also making big moves in the transfer portal. Morris has brought in 17 players from North Texas, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who led the nation in passing in 2025.

Ole Miss

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (Auburn)
Safety Edwin Joseph (Florida State)

Ole Miss is also making waves in the transfer portal, led by Auburn quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. With Chambliss' eligibility battle heading to the courts, the Rebels have a good fallback plan in Florida State safety Edwin Joseph.

Kentucky

Head Coach Will Stein
Quarterback Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame)
Offensive Linemen Lance Heard (Tennessee), Coleton Price (Baylor), Tegra Tshabola (Ohio State)

Kentucky is making a name for itself in the transfer portal, with new head coach Will Stein bringing in a top-10 class. Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey is the headliner for this class, but Stein has also added protection on the offensive line.

Texas A&M

Receiver Isaiah Horton (Alabama)
Edge Rusher Anto Saka (Northwestern)

Texas A&M made its first playoff appearance in 2025 and is using the transfer portal to fill some holes for a return trip to the bracket next season.

Texas Tech

Quarterback Brandon Sorsby (Cincinnati)
Defensive Lineman Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest)
Edge Rusher Adam Trick (Miami-Ohio)

Texas Tech is also making big moves in the transfer portal, led by Cincinnati quarterback Brandon Sorsby. The Red Raiders are celebrating this signing with a Billboard in Times Square.

Indiana

Head Coach Curt Cignetti
Quarterback Josh Hoover (TCU)
Wide Receiver Nick Marsh (Michigan State)

Indiana is 60 minutes away from the program's first national championship, and Curt Cignetti is already assembling a portal haul that can keep the success going into 2026 and beyond.

LSU