Top 10 Game-Changing College Football Transfers to Watch in 2026

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 7, 2026 4:53 PM ET

Top 10 Game-Changing College Football Transfers to Watch in 2026

The transfer portal continues to reshape rosters across college football. Programs now build contenders faster, and also risk rapid collapses.

Indiana’s roster overhaul under coach Curt Cignetti included 24 transfers before the program’s 2025 national title season. That total was six fewer than the previous cycle. On3 ranks Indiana’s 2026 haul as the No. 1 transfer portal class.

Why transfers matter

Power programs are leaning on portal talent to plug immediate needs. Clemson even added 10 portal players this past offseason under Dabo Swinney.

Transfer paths have produced elite players. Four of the top five vote-getters in the 2025 Heisman race moved schools at some point. The Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, is among them.

Other major award winners who transferred include Diego Pavia (Unitas), Eli Stowers (Mackey), Jacob Rodriguez (Lombardi, Bednarik, Nagurski), Caleb Downs (Thorpe), KC Concepcion (Hornung) and Tate Sandell (Groza).

Players to watch

Damon Wilson II — EDGE (Missouri to Miami)

Wilson began his career at Georgia before thriving at Missouri. He posted nine sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and 24 pressures last season.

Miami expects Wilson to replace NFL-bound rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. His arrival aims to keep the Hurricanes’ defense elite.

Caleb Hawkins — RB (North Texas to Oklahoma State)

Hawkins led the FBS with 25 rushing touchdowns and ran for 1,434 yards. He also caught 32 passes for 370 yards and four scores.

Coach Eric Morris moved to Oklahoma State and brought Hawkins and 16 teammates. The Cowboys added 54 transfers after a 1-11 season, their worst since 1991.

Sam Leavitt — QB (Arizona State to LSU)

Leavitt steered Arizona State to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth as a redshirt freshman. A Lisfranc injury limited him to seven games in 2025.

Lane Kiffin, now at LSU, expects Leavitt to lead a high-octane offense. Health will determine his impact.

Jacarrius Peak — OT (NC State to South Carolina)

Peak is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound veteran with 38 career starts. He enters his senior season with extensive experience.

South Carolina suffered 42 sacks last season, the second-most in FBS. Peak’s presence should help protect quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Cam Coleman — WR (Auburn to Texas)

Coleman has 93 career catches for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns across two seasons. He has shown big-play potential.

He now joins Texas’ deep receiving room, which includes Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V. The Longhorns expect their offense to explode.

James Smith — DT (Alabama to Ohio State)

Smith started 12 games for Alabama, recording 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He played a key rotational role on the line.

Ohio State tapped Smith to replace interior defensive linemen lost to the NFL. His move continues a trend of top players migrating to the Buckeyes.

DJ Lagway — QB (Florida to Baylor)

Lagway was a five-star recruit who rallied Florida as a freshman late in the season. His sophomore year included 14 interceptions.

He returns to Texas to restart his career under a new program. Baylor hopes Lagway’s upside emerges again.

Jontez Williams — CB (Iowa State to USC)

Williams enjoyed a breakout 2024 with four straight games recording interceptions. He finished that campaign with 46 tackles.

He missed time with an ACL injury in September but is expected to contribute once healthy. USC’s defense will lean on his cover skills.

Princewill Umanmielen — EDGE (Ole Miss to LSU)

Umanmielen posted 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, nine sacks and an interception as a junior at Ole Miss. He played a key role in their CFP run.

He followed Lane Kiffin to LSU, joining former teammate T.J. Dottery. The pair aims to create a disruptive edge tandem in the SEC.

Nick Marsh — WR (Michigan State to Indiana)

Marsh stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds. He caught 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns during two seasons at Michigan State.

Indiana expects Marsh to help replace departures Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt. He will target passes from incoming transfer quarterback Josh Hoover of TCU.