The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal is officially open, and things are moving fast as college football players look for new opportunities. With no spring transfer period this year, teams have just one big window to fine-tune their rosters for the season ahead.
This post takes a look at some of the top players in the portal, their backgrounds, scouting reports, and what they might bring to their new teams. If you want to dive even deeper, check out the original article on ESPN.
Top Players in the Transfer Portal
The portal’s loaded with talent this year. Players from all over are hoping to make a splash at their next stop.
Here are a few of the standouts in the 2026 transfer portal:
Emory Sorsby: From Cincinnati to Texas Tech
Sorsby, who started out at Indiana before transferring to Cincinnati, has turned into one of college football’s top passers. At 6-3 and 235 pounds, the redshirt junior can make plays with his arm and his legs.
Over two seasons with the Bearcats, Sorsby threw for 5,613 yards and ran for 1,027, piling up 63 touchdowns and 16 turnovers. He helped Cincinnati jump out to a 7-1 start and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors.
Scout’s Take: Sorsby’s got size, arm strength, and mobility. He reads the field well, stays calm in the pocket, and handles pressure with sharp instincts.
Impact on Texas Tech: The Red Raiders made sure to land Sorsby, a proven Big 12 starter and Texas native. He should give their offense a boost while backup Will Hammond recovers from his torn ACL and gets ready for 2027.
Jaden Coleman: From Auburn to Texas
Coleman, ranked No. 5 overall in the 2024 ESPN 300, is one of the most gifted wide receivers in college football. In his first two SEC seasons, he caught 93 passes for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He played with five different starting QBs at Auburn, but now he’s looking forward to a steadier situation with a College Football Playoff contender.
Scout’s Take: Coleman’s highlight reel is wild—he’s got the body control to make acrobatic grabs, wins contested catches, and can just flat-out run by defenders.
Impact on Texas: Landing Coleman is a big deal for the Longhorns. With him and Ryan Wingo, Texas suddenly has two All-America caliber wideouts and some serious firepower for 2026.
Jalen Leavitt: From Arizona State to LSU
Leavitt, who transferred from Michigan State, helped Arizona State to a memorable 2024 season. A foot injury shortened his 2025, but he still put up 3,328 total yards and 29 touchdowns.
After weighing Kentucky, Tennessee, and Miami, Leavitt picked LSU.
Scout’s Take: Leavitt’s a two-year starter with quick feet and the knack for escaping pressure. He can make throws on the move and is dangerous when scrambling or on designed runs.
Impact on LSU: With Lane Kiffin and OC Charlie Weis Jr. running the show, Leavitt might take his game to a first-round draft level. LSU needs him for their reworked supporting cast.
Offensive and Defensive Line Standouts
The portal’s also loaded with big men up front. Several linemen are expected to make an immediate difference at their new schools.
Brandon Seaton: From Colorado
Seaton, once a five-star recruit, was a huge get for Colorado. In two years as a starting left tackle, he didn’t allow a single sack and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors.
He’s now looking for a fresh start as a junior.
Scout’s Take: Seaton’s got rare range and quickness for his size. He’s aggressive in the run game and moves well enough to thrive as a zone blocker.
Elijah Peak: From NC State to South Carolina
Peak started 33 games for NC State and became a dependable offensive tackle. He switched from right to left tackle in 2025 and, in over 1,100 career pass protection snaps, has given up just four sacks.
Scout’s Take: Peak’s got explosive power and a bit of an edge. He sets up smoothly and has all the tools to become an elite pass blocker.
Impact on South Carolina: This is a big win for Shane Beamer, and it should help protect quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who got sacked 42 times last season. That’s a number that’s just too high.
Adedayo Ibirogba: From Wake Forest to Texas Tech
Ibirogba spent two years starting at FCS Georgetown before moving to the ACC and bulking up for the interior defensive line. He broke out with 21 tackles, 19 pressures, and 3.5 TFLs for Wake Forest.
Scout’s Take: Ibirogba’s disruptive against the run and packs a punch. He usually lines up inside but has the versatility to play anywhere along the line.
Impact on Texas Tech: Adding Ibirogba makes the Red Raiders’ defensive front even stronger. They’re aiming to be one of the best again.
Other Notable Transfers
The portal’s also got plenty of other names who could shake things up at their new schools.
Javonte Wilson: From Missouri
Wilson, a top-15 transfer last year, earned second-team All-SEC honors with Missouri. He racked up 40 pressures and nine sacks in a breakout season.
Scout’s Take: Wilson’s got real burst off the edge and uses his length well. He’s great at shooting his hands and slipping past tackles.
Tyler Mestemaker: From North Texas to Oklahoma State
Mestemaker led the nation in passing, throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns as he took North Texas to a conference title game. Not bad for a former walk-on now stepping up to the Power 4 level.
Scout’s Take: Mestemaker runs the offense with poise and has a good touch on deep balls. His mechanics are a little quirky, but hey, they work.
Impact on Oklahoma State: Mestemaker’s arrival is key for the Cowboys as they overhaul the roster in 2026. He’ll be a big part of the turnaround under Eric Morris.
Cade Perich: From Minnesota to Oregon
Perich is a do-it-all player, earning Freshman All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors. He also contributed at receiver and racked up 617 yards as a return man.
Scout’s Take: Perich’s a playmaker—fast, instinctive, and solid in run support. He’s a reliable tackler and always seems to be around the ball.
Impact on Oregon: Perich hopes to follow in Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman’s footsteps and help the Ducks chase a national title. That’s a tall order, but you never know.
Mike Daley: From Utah to Michigan
Daley earned All-America honors with the Utes. He ranked among the top five nationally in tackles for loss and sacks.
Now, he wants to make his mark at Michigan under coach Kyle Whittingham. That’s a big move for both him and the team.
Scout’s Take: Daley’s a productive edge defender with strong hands. He brings a high motor, destroys blocks, and really understands offensive schemes.
Impact on Michigan: Daley’s arrival helps fill the gap left by Derrick Moore. He should give the Wolverines’ defensive line a real boost.
The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal looks wild so far. With top players hunting for new teams, the season might surprise us all. For more, check out the original article on ESPN.
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