The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal has been wild, honestly. Some of the best players in college football have made moves that could totally shake up the upcoming season.
This year’s portal window opened on January 2 and slammed shut on January 16. Transfers came pouring in, and a bunch of top programs are looking at new faces and fresh dynamics.
Let’s dig into the players making headlines with their transfers—and what they might bring to their new teams. There’s a lot to unpack.
Top Transfer Quarterbacks to Watch in 2026
Quarterbacks didn’t waste time in the portal this year. A few made bold moves, hoping to boost both their careers and their new teams’ chances.
Here are some of the most intriguing QB transfers we’ve seen so far.
Quinn Sorsby: From Cincinnati to Texas Tech
Quinn Sorsby’s journey has been something. He started at Indiana, then Cincinnati, and now he’s landed at Texas Tech.
Sorsby’s a big guy at 6-3, 235 pounds—a redshirt junior with one year left. He racked up 5,613 passing yards and 1,027 rushing yards at Cincinnati, plus 63 touchdowns.
He finished as a top-10 QB this season in QBR and PFF grading, and made second-team All-Big 12. That’s not easy to do.
What he brings to Texas Tech: Sorsby’s move is a huge win for Texas Tech, especially since they beat out LSU for him. He’s got the experience and skill to boost their already dangerous offense.
With Sorsby leading, Texas Tech—who ranked No. 2 nationally in points per game last season—looks like the Big 12 favorite. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the conference.
Jaden Coleman: From Auburn to Texas
Jaden Coleman, a 6-3, 201-pound sophomore wide receiver, is leaving Auburn for Texas. Coleman was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 ESPN 300.
In two seasons, he’s turned 93 catches into 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 10-catch, 143-yard game at Vanderbilt was just one example of what he can do.
What he brings to Texas: Texas had to fight off Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Alabama to get Coleman. He joins an already loaded offense with stars like Ryan Wingo, giving Arch Manning even more options.
Key Defensive Transfers
Defense wins championships, right? Some top defensive players have moved and could change the outlook for their new teams.
Let’s check out a few of the biggest defensive transfers.
Jordan Seaton: From Colorado to LSU
Jordan Seaton, a 6-5, 330-pound sophomore offensive tackle, is heading from Colorado to LSU. He was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Buffaloes and made second-team All-Big 12.
Seaton’s rare athleticism for his size makes him a possible first-round pick. LSU needed help up front, and he’s the answer.
What he brings to LSU: Seaton gives LSU’s offensive line a much-needed boost. He’ll play a big role in protecting the quarterback and anchoring the unit.
David Umanmielen: From Ole Miss to LSU
David Umanmielen, at 6-5 and 245 pounds, is a junior edge rusher moving from Ole Miss to LSU. He’s the younger brother of Panthers edge rusher Princely Umanmielen.
Last year, David broke out with 40 pressures and nine sacks. He’s relentless off the edge and tough for any offense to handle.
What he brings to LSU: Umanmielen fits right into LSU’s plan to build a stacked portal class. His knack for disrupting plays could make a real difference on defense.
Offensive Powerhouses on the Move
There’s been a lot of action with offensive playmakers too. Some big names are set to bring a new spark to their teams.
Leavitt: From Arizona State to LSU
Leavitt, a 6-2, 205-pound redshirt sophomore quarterback, is leaving Arizona State for LSU. He was the Big 12’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, though an injury cut his season short.
He’s shown grit and the ability to make plays under pressure. LSU’s hoping he can stay healthy and deliver.
What he brings to LSU: Leavitt’s joining a Tigers squad that’s rebuilding through the portal. If he clicks with Lane Kiffin and OC Charlie Weis Jr., Leavitt could see his draft stock soar.
Mensah: From Duke to Miami
Mensah, a 6-3, 205-pound redshirt sophomore quarterback, is transferring from Duke to Miami. He led Duke to its first outright ACC championship since 1962 and earned second-team All-ACC honors.
Mensah’s a real dual-threat—he can throw, he can run, and he’s tough to stop.
What he brings to Miami: Miami’s offense just got a whole lot more dangerous. With Mensah teaming up with Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr., the Hurricanes have their eyes on a national title.
Impactful Transfers on the Defensive Line
Defensive line play is everything, honestly. A few big transfers could make a serious impact in 2026.
Ibirogba: From Wake Forest to Texas Tech
Ibirogba, a 6-3, 296-pound redshirt junior defensive tackle, is going from Wake Forest to Texas Tech. He broke out last season and brings serious power and versatility up front.
What he brings to Texas Tech: Ibirogba adds depth and punch to an already tough Red Raiders defensive line. He’s great at slipping blocks and shooting gaps—something Tech’s going to need.
Wilson: From Missouri to Miami
Wilson, a 6-4, 250-pound junior edge rusher, is transferring from Missouri to Miami. He earned second-team All-SEC with 40 pressures and nine sacks.
His explosiveness and non-stop motor make him a perfect fit for the Hurricanes’ defense.
What he brings to Miami: Wilson helps fill the gap left by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. Miami led FBS with 256 total pressures in 2025, and with Wilson, they might just keep that going.
Conclusion
The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal has really shaken things up. Several top players have made moves that could totally change the college football landscape.
Quarterbacks like Quinn Sorsby and Leavitt have switched teams. On the defensive side, guys like Jordan Seaton and David Umanmielen are bringing fresh energy and potential to their new squads.
Fans and analysts are already buzzing about how these new additions might perform. Will they push their teams to greater success? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
For a full rundown of the top players in the transfer portal, check out the ESPN College Football Transfer Portal Rankings.
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