College football never really sits still, does it? The transfer portal keeps shaking up rosters and changing the way teams compete. This week, let’s shift the spotlight to the Mountain West Conference and see how each squad has used the portal to patch holes and load up for the season ahead.
Quarterback moves, defensive reinforcements—you name it, the Mountain West has seen it. Some teams look poised for a big leap. Curious who’s made the most of their portal pickups? Let’s get into it.
UNLV: A Tradition of Strategic Additions
UNLV seems to have made a habit of plugging roster gaps with transfers. This year, they lost their starting quarterback and Conference Player of the Year, Anthony Colandrea, but quickly landed Auburn transfer Jackson Arnold, who started in the SEC. That’s a pretty clear sign they’re not backing down.
They also added linebacker Mark Iheanachor from SMU, shoring up a spot that needed help. The secondary got some love too, with cornerback Kyron Chambers from SMU and safety Tony-Luis Nukba out of Arizona State. It’s a deep, balanced class, and honestly, UNLV looks like a real threat—especially with Boise State out of the picture.
San Jose State: Defensive Overhaul
San Jose State came off a rough 2025, so they needed a big portal haul to turn things around. They brought in 21 new faces, with a clear emphasis on defense. The secondary and linebacker groups look a lot stronger now.
Losing quarterback Walker Eget left a hole, but they brought in Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver. He looked good filling in for Micah Alejado, so maybe he grabs that starting job for the Spartans.
Hawaii: Offensive Firepower
The Rainbow Warriors didn’t mess around—they went straight for their biggest needs. Virginia transfer Bjorn Jurgensen adds depth at quarterback, and they picked up wideouts Devin Alves (Virginia Tech) and Carson Brown (Iowa State).
With these moves, Hawaii’s offense could be one of the best in the conference. If they click, the Warriors might surprise a lot of people this year.
New Mexico: Retaining Talent
The Lobos took a different route, focusing more on keeping their roster intact than chasing a portal overhaul. They added 16 players, filling a few gaps here and there. Two new kickers will battle it out for the starting spot—Ken Meir from Temple and Konner Olson from Western Kentucky.
Boise State transfer Clay Martineau stands out. He struggled with health issues at Boise but has the athleticism to make a difference at linebacker if he stays healthy. That’s a big “if,” but it could pay off.
UTEP: A Well-Rounded Class
UTEP’s bringing in a hefty group—23 new players, covering pretty much every position. They even added a long snapper and a punter. Quarterback EJ Colson arrives from Incarnate Word, giving their offense a potential boost.
There aren’t a lot of big names here, but there’s upside. If things break right, this group could make UTEP more competitive than last year.
Nevada: High Potential
Nevada’s portal class is all about potential, even if there aren’t any sure-fire stars. Head coach Jeff Choate loaded up at wide receiver, corner, and along the offensive line. UCLA transfer quarterback Luke Duncan will battle for the starting job, and he’s worth watching.
If the Wolf Pack offense can find another gear, they might end up as the Mountain West’s most improved team.
Wyoming: Depth Over Star Power
Wyoming took a more active approach in the portal this year, though they avoided headline-grabbing moves. Head coach Jay Sawvel focused on bolstering the interior offensive line, signing three guys who can play guard or center.
Quarterback Tyler Hughes comes in from William & Mary and will compete for the top job. The Cowboys really need more from that position, so it’ll be interesting to see if Hughes can elevate the offense.
Northern Illinois: Underwhelming Moves
Northern Illinois joined the Mountain West, and honestly, people expected them to make a bigger splash. Instead, their portal activity has been pretty quiet. Mississippi State transfer wideout Cam Thompson is the most notable addition—he’s got good size and a solid recruiting pedigree.
Most of the other newcomers are FCS names, so it’s tough to predict how they’ll fit in. This team feels like a bit of a wild card heading into the season.
North Dakota State: Minimal Activity
North Dakota State barely dipped its toes into the transfer portal this cycle. Honestly, they probably didn’t expect to be part of the Mountain West when recruiting season rolled around.
247 Sports lists just four incoming transfers for them. EDGE rusher Truman Griffith, coming over from Kansas State, stands out the most.
Next offseason could look very different. North Dakota State will need to rethink its recruiting strategy if it wants to keep up at the FBS level.
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