The transfer portal has once again spun the college football world off its axis, turning the offseason into a high-stakes game of musical chairs. As rosters settle and spring camps loom, we finally have a clear look at the fresh…
The transfer portal has once again spun the college football world off its axis, turning the offseason into a high-stakes game of musical chairs. As rosters settle and spring camps loom, we finally have a clear look at the fresh faces who will define the 2026 season. From proven veterans chasing a title to breakout stars looking for a bigger stage, these are each of the top 25 teams’ most impactful newcomers ready to shake up the rankings.
25. Jacarrius Peak
Offensive Tackle, South Carolina (Transfer from NC State)
2025 Stats: Rated as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the transfer portal
Shane Beamer needed to fix a leaky offensive line that gave up over 40 sacks last year, and landing Peck is the first step in stopping the bleeding. A massive presence on the edge, Peak arrives in Columbia as one of the most coveted protectors in the portal, expected to slide in immediately and keep LaNorris Sellers upright.
24. Luke Reynolds
Tight End, Virginia Tech (Transfer from Penn State)
2025 Stats: 26 receptions, 257 yards in 13 games
The Hokies are betting on pedigree here, snagging a former five-star recruit who showed flashes of brilliance in Happy Valley. Reynolds is a matchup nightmare who can flex out wide or play inline, giving Virginia Tech the versatile weapon they need to stress opposing defenses in the middle of the field.
23. Yannick Smith
Wide Receiver, SMU (Transfer from East Carolina)
2025 Stats: 400+ receiving yards, multiple touchdowns
With the Mustangs losing key pieces of their receiving corps, Smith steps in as a proven playmaker ready for the Power 4 jump. He was a consistent producer for the Pirates, using his speed to take the top off defenses, and now he gets to operate in Rhett Lashlee’s high-octane offense.
22. Rocco Becht
Quarterback, Penn State (Transfer from Iowa State)
Career Stats: 9,274 passing yards, 64 touchdowns
After a prolific career in Ames, Becht heads east to command the Nittany Lions’ offense. While his 2025 numbers dipped due to a shoulder injury, his resume speaks for itself—he’s a veteran gunslinger with nearly 10,000 career yards who brings instant leadership and stability to Happy Valley.
21. Makhi Hughes
Running Back, Houston (Transfer from Oregon)
Career Stats: 2,779 rushing yards, 24 TDs (at Tulane)
Don’t let the “Oregon” label fool you; Hughes is looking to reclaim the form that made him a star at Tulane. After getting buried on a crowded depth chart in Eugene last season, he returns to the AAC footprint with fresh legs and a point to prove, giving the Cougars a proven workhorse in the backfield.
20. Deuce Knight
Quarterback, Ole Miss (Transfer from Auburn)
2025 Stats: 401 total yards, 6 TDs vs. Mercer (1 start)
Lane Kiffin loves a dual-threat quarterback, and Knight fits the mold perfectly. The Mississippi native returns home after a brief stint on the Plains, where he flashed electric potential in limited action. He’s a raw but incredibly talented ball of clay that Kiffin will be eager to mold into his next star signal-caller.
19. Kolt Dieterich
Offensive Tackle, Washington (Transfer from Sam Houston)
2025 Stats: 75.5 PFF Grade (Highest among CUSA linemen)
Jedd Fisch went hunting for stability in the trenches and found a hidden gem in Dieterich. The Texas native was the highest-graded lineman in Conference USA last season, bringing a nasty, finishing mentality to Seattle as the Huskies look to rebuild their wall up front.
18. Braden Pegan
Wide Receiver, Utah (Transfer from Utah State)
2025 Stats: 27 receptions, 453 yards, 4 TDs (in 6 games)
Before his season was cut short, Pegan was lighting up the Mountain West, averaging nearly 17 yards per catch. He stays in-state to join the Utes, giving them a vertical threat who can stretch the field and open up underneath routes for the tight ends.
17. Austin Simmons
Quarterback, Missouri (Transfer from Ole Miss)
2025 Stats: 744 passing yards, 4 TDs, 5 INTs (Backup duty)
Eli Drinkwitz lands a high-upside lefty who served as Jaxson Dart’s understudy in Oxford. Simmons is a dual-sport athlete (baseball) with a live arm, and while his limited sample size was a mixed bag, the Tigers believe his ceiling is high enough to hand him the keys to the offense.
16. Tre Richardson
Wide Receiver, Louisville (Transfer from Vanderbilt)
2025 Stats: 46 receptions, 806 yards, 7 TDs
Jeff Brohm loves speed, and he just got plenty of it. Richardson was the lone bright spot in Vanderbilt’s passing game last year, leading the Commodores in every major category. He’s a slot demon who can turn a five-yard slant into a fifty-yard touchdown, making him a perfect fit for the Cardinals’ attack.
15. Terrance Green
12 Mtsu Vs Monmouth
Defensive Line, Alabama (Transfer from Oregon)
2025 Stats: 15 tackles, 1 TFL (Rotational player)
Alabama continues to add beef to its defensive front, bringing in this 6-foot-5, 330-pound monster. Green was a rotational piece for the Ducks but possesses the kind of size and raw power that SEC coaches covet. In Tuscaloosa, he’ll be asked to eat blocks and collapse the pocket from the inside.
14. Sam Leavitt
Quarterback, LSU (Transfer from Arizona State)
2025 Stats: 1,628 passing yards, 10 TDs; 306 rushing yards, 5 TDs
Brian Kelly gets his dual-threat playmaker. Leavitt was electric for the Sun Devils before a foot injury derailed his season, showing the ability to create off-script and stress defenses with his legs. If he stays healthy, he adds a dynamic element to the Tigers’ offense that has been missing.
13. Vandrevius Jacobs
Wide Receiver, Miami (Transfer from South Carolina)
2025 Stats: 32 receptions, 548 yards, 4 TDs
The Hurricanes add another Florida native to their receiving corps in Jacobs, who was a reliable target in the SEC last year. He’s a smooth route runner with strong hands, giving Miami a polished option to complement their explosive deep threats as they look to defend their ACC crown.
12. Cade Uluave
Linebacker, BYU (Transfer from Cal)
2025 Stats: 100 tackles, 12 TFLs, 3 sacks (First Team All-ACC)
This is a massive homecoming for BYU. Uluave was a tackling machine in Berkeley, earning First Team All-ACC honors by flying around the field and wrecking game plans. He instantly becomes the heart of the Cougars’ defense, bringing elite production and leadership to Provo.
11. Terrell Anderson
Wide Receiver, USC (Transfer from NC State)
2025 Stats: 39 receptions, 629 yards, 5 TDs
Lincoln Riley reloads his arsenal with Anderson, a breakout sophomore who led the Wolfpack in receiving yards. He’s a big-play waiting to happen, averaging over 16 yards per catch, and should thrive in a system designed to get playmakers the ball in space.
10. E’Marion Harris
Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma (Transfer from Arkansas)
2025 Stats: 11 starts, 96.6 pass blocking efficiency grade
The Sooners needed a cornerstone tackle as they navigate the SEC gauntlet, and Harris fits the bill. The Arkansas transfer was a stalwart on the right side last year, allowing minimal pressure. He brings veteran savvy and SEC size to a line that needs to keep its quarterback clean.
9. JJ Buchanan
Tight End, Michigan (Transfer from Utah)
2025 Stats: 26 receptions, 427 yards, 5 TDs
Michigan loves its tight ends, and Buchanan is the next great one in Ann Arbor. As a true freshman at Utah, he was a revelation, showing the speed to stretch the seam and the body control to win in the red zone. He gives the Wolverines an immediate mismatch weapon.
8. Nick Marsh
Wide Receiver, Indiana (Transfer from Michigan State)
2025 Stats: 59 receptions, 662 yards, 6 TDs
Curt Cignetti just stole a star from a conference rival. Marsh was the Spartans’ go-to guy last season, a big-bodied receiver who excels at winning contested catches. His arrival in Bloomington gives the defending national champs a proven WR1 to keep the offense humming.
7. Brendan Sorsby
Quarterback, Texas Tech (Transfer from Cincinnati)
2025 Stats: 2,800 passing yards, 27 TDs, 5 INTs
Joey McGuire found his gunslinger. Sorsby was one of the most efficient passers in the Big 12 last year, tossing 27 touchdowns against just five picks. His aggressive arm and smart decision-making make him a perfect match for the Red Raiders’ high-flying “Air Raid” concepts.
6. Isaiah Horton
Wide Receiver, Texas A&M (Transfer from Alabama)
2025 Stats: 42 receptions, 511 yards, 8 TDs
Mike Elko dips into the portal to snag a proven SEC producer. Horton led Alabama in touchdown catches last season, proving to be a reliable red-zone target and a chain mover. He brings size and experience to an Aggies receiver room that needed a veteran presence.
5. Tionne Gray
Defensive Line, Notre Dame (Transfer from Oregon)
2025 Stats: 18 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 blocked FG
Notre Dame continues to build a fortress on defense, adding this 330-pound immovable object. Gray was a solid rotational piece for Oregon’s elite defense, but in South Bend, he’ll be asked to be the anchor. His ability to clog lanes will free up the Irish linebackers to roam free.
4. Koi Perich
Safety, Oregon (Transfer from Minnesota)
2025 Narrative: Freshman All-American (2024), elite playmaker
Dan Lanning just added a heat-seeking missile to his secondary. Perich has been a sensation since stepping on the field as a freshman, known for his ball-hawking instincts and bone-jarring hits. He gives the Ducks a legitimate star on the back end as they chase a title.
3. Isiah Canion
Wide Receiver, Georgia (Transfer from Georgia Tech)
2025 Stats: 33 receptions, 480 yards, 4 TDs
Kirby Smart keeps the talent in-state, poaching a rising star from their bitter rival. Canion was a bright spot for the Yellow Jackets, showing off a blend of size and speed that translates to any level. In Georgia, he’ll be surrounded by elite talent, giving him the chance to explode statistically.
2. Cam Coleman
Wide Receiver, Texas (Transfer from Auburn)
2025 Stats: 56 receptions, 708 yards, 5 TDs
Steve Sarkisian just added a Lamborghini to his garage. Coleman is a former five-star recruit who was Auburn’s most dangerous weapon, combining elite speed with a massive catch radius. In Texas’s vertical passing game, he has the potential to be the most productive receiver in the country.
1. James Smith
Defensive Line, Ohio State (Transfer from Alabama)
2025 Stats: 28 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks
The Buckeyes land the biggest fish in the pond. Smith was the top-ranked interior lineman in the portal, a game-wrecking force who started 12 games for Alabama last season. His arrival solidifies Ohio State’s defensive front as arguably the best in the nation, giving them the interior pressure needed to win championships.
The New Faces of Saturday
The 2026 season will be defined by how quickly these stars acclimate to their new playbooks and locker rooms. While jersey names change, the expectation for greatness doesn’t. We’ve seen the potential; now it’s time to see if these newcomers can turn offseason hype into autumn glory.
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Category: General Sports
