College Football Transfer Portal: Top 4 Winners and Losers Revealed

Emerson Raymont

ago 1 hour

College Football Transfer Portal: Top 4 Winners and Losers Revealed

The college football transfer portal is a crucial aspect of the offseason, influencing team dynamics and player movement. As the deadline approaches, various teams are emerging as significant winners and losers in the 2026 transfer process. This article delves into the notable changes and shifts brought about by this year’s transfer portal activity.

Top Winners in the 2026 Transfer Portal

Indiana Hoosiers

The Indiana Hoosiers are making headlines with their aggressive strategy focused on the transfer portal for team building. With the departure of Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana has secured TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to lead their offense. They have also added talented players like:

Nick Marsh, wide receiver from Michigan State
Turbo Richard, running back from Boston College

As of now, Indiana boasts a top-10 transfer class, positioning them as contenders for national relevance next season.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Similarly, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are building their roster primarily through the transfer portal. This year, they made a significant investment in acquiring quarterback Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati, regarded as a top portal player. Additionally, Texas Tech has strengthened its defense by recruiting:

Austin Romaine, linebacker from Kansas State
Mateen Ibirogba, defensive lineman from Wake Forest
Adam Trick, edge rusher from Miami Ohio

With their strong recruitment efforts, the Red Raiders are expected to rank highly in the Big 12 preseason standings.

Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies made a bold move by hiring former Penn State coach James Franklin, who has quickly brought in a wealth of talent. So far, ten former Nittany Lions have joined Virginia Tech, including:

Luke Reynolds, tight end
Jaquez White, cornerback from Troy
Javion Hilson, edge rusher from Missouri

Despite the loss of 19 players to the portal, the talent influx positions them well within the top-20 portal rankings, demonstrating effective recruitment under Franklin’s leadership.

Notable Losers in the 2026 Transfer Portal

Ole Miss Rebels

In contrast, Ole Miss has managed to retain most of its roster, attributing this success to their retention efforts despite coaching changes. Only 14 players have entered the portal, with just one, wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr., committing to LSU. Although losing key players like Devin Harper and Austin Simmons impacts them, the overall situation could have been worse.

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State faced significant setbacks with the departure of head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State. Campbell took 22 players with him, resulting in a staggering total of 55 players leaving the team, including:

Rocco Becht, quarterback to Penn State
Benjamin Brahmer, tight end to Penn State
Jontez Williams, cornerback to USC
Brendan Black, offensive lineman to Nebraska

New head coach Jimmy Rogers will need to rebuild from the ground up, a daunting task amidst such talent loss.

Auburn Tigers

Auburn has emerged as a significant loser in the portal due to the sheer volume of talent lost. The highlight is Cam Coleman, a highly regarded receiver, who has transferred to Texas. Other notable departures include: