The transfer portal has really changed college football. Rosters look different every year, and some programs barely resemble themselves after just one offseason.
This past cycle brought a flurry of movement, especially at schools with new coaches. Oklahoma State and Iowa State, for example, lost a staggering number of players. Meanwhile, Cal and Auburn managed to patch things up with some smart additions.
Let’s take a look at the schools hit hardest by the portal and how they’re trying to piece things back together for 2026.
Cal Bears: A New Era Under Tosh Lupoi
Cal Bears fans saw a whirlwind of roster changes after the school fired Justin Wilcox and brought in Tosh Lupoi from Oregon. A whopping 35 players hit the portal.
Somehow, Cal held onto their star quarterback, Jaron Kaewe Sagapolutele, who turned heads as a freshman in 2025. The Bears hustled to add 31 new transfers, hoping to keep things competitive.
Key Points for Cal
- 35 players entered the transfer portal.
- Retained quarterback Jaron Kaewe Sagapolutele.
- Added 31 new transfers.
Auburn Tigers: Rebuilding After Hugh Freeze
Auburn lost some serious talent after Hugh Freeze got the boot, including standout receiver Cam Coleman, who bolted for Texas. Alex Golesh, the new head coach, wasted no time.
He brought in 39 transfers, with 13 arriving from USF. Quarterback Byrum Brown followed Golesh and is set to run the offense this season.
Key Points for Auburn
- 39 new transfers were added.
- 13 transfers came from USF.
- Quarterback Byrum Brown will lead the offense.
Florida State Seminoles: A Season of Change
Florida State slogged through a rough 5-7 finish in 2025 and watched 36 players leave. Mike Norvell, the head coach, scrambled to bring in 22 new faces.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels and running back Tre Wisner will try to spark the offense in 2026.
Key Points for Florida State
- 36 players entered the transfer portal.
- Added 22 new transfers.
- Key offensive players: Ashton Daniels (QB) and Tre Wisner (RB).
Michigan State Spartans: Navigating a New Leadership
Michigan State lost 37 players after firing Jonathan Smith and hiring Pat Fitzgerald. Despite the exodus, they kept quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who finished last season as the starter.
The Spartans also picked up 28 new transfers, including receiver KK Smith and center Trent Fraley.
Key Points for Michigan State
- 37 players entered the transfer portal.
- Retained quarterback Alessio Milivojevic.
- Added 28 new transfers.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Quick Rebuild Under Ryan Silverfield
Arkansas saw 38 players leave after Sam Pittman was fired and Ryan Silverfield came over from Memphis. The Razorbacks moved fast, adding 41 new transfers.
They landed Steven Soles from Kentucky and Jasper Parker from Michigan, and even snagged the eighth spot in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.
Key Points for Arkansas
- 38 players entered the transfer portal.
- Added 41 new transfers.
- Ranked eighth in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: Steady Under Jeff Lebby
Mississippi State lost 38 players, including a few starters. Head coach Jeff Lebby, now in his third year, responded by bringing in 24 transfers.
Quarterback KaMario Taylor stuck around and looks set to start in 2026. One notable addition is wide receiver Marquis Johnson from Missouri.
Key Points for Mississippi State
- 38 players entered the transfer portal.
- Added 24 new transfers.
- Retained quarterback KaMario Taylor.
West Virginia Mountaineers: Continual Rebuilding
West Virginia, led by Rich Rodriguez, lost 44 players to the portal. They managed to bring in 34 new ones.
Quarterback Michael Hawkins arrived from Oklahoma and is expected to start. The Mountaineers lost a lot of experience on the offensive line and at receiver, which might sting for a while.
Key Points for West Virginia
- 44 players entered the transfer portal.
- Added 34 new transfers.
- Key addition: Quarterback Michael Hawkins from Oklahoma.
Penn State Nittany Lions: Overcoming Mass Departures
Penn State lost 46 players after James Franklin was fired. New coach Matt Campbell managed to keep linebacker Tony Rojas and cornerback Daryus Dixson.
Several players, including quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, followed Franklin to Virginia Tech. Campbell has his work cut out for him as he tries to rebuild.
Key Points for Penn State
- 46 players entered the transfer portal.
- Retained linebacker Tony Rojas and cornerback Daryus Dixson.
- Several players followed Franklin to Virginia Tech.
Iowa State Cyclones: A New Chapter
Iowa State saw 54 players exit after Matt Campbell took the Penn State job, closing a long chapter with the Cyclones. Jimmy Rogers, hired from Washington State, brought in 48 new players to try to fill the gaps.
Replacing that much talent at once? It’s a tall order for any coach, let alone one starting fresh.
Key Points for Iowa State
- 54 players entered the transfer portal.
- Added 48 new transfers.
- New head coach: Jimmy Rogers from Washington State.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: Leading the Nation in Exits
Oklahoma State topped the nation with 64 players leaving after Mike Gundy’s firing. Eric Morris, hired from North Texas, tried to rebuild by adding 54 new transfers.
The Cowboys lost key guys like Wendell Gregory, Jaylen Lloyd, and Noah McKinney. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins followed Morris from North Texas, which gives them at least a little continuity to build on.
Key Points for Oklahoma State
- 64 players entered the transfer portal.
- Added 54 new transfers.
- Key additions: Quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins.
The transfer portal’s really changed college football. Programs like Oklahoma State and Iowa State took the brunt of it.
Meanwhile, Cal and Auburn managed to balance their departures by bringing in strong transfer classes. It makes you wonder how these schools will bounce back, especially with the 2026 season looming.
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