College football fans, get ready—2026 is shaping up to be a wild season. Sure, the big-name transfers always steal the spotlight, but there’s a whole crew of underrated players who might just change the game.
This year, we’re digging into some of the top transfer portal sleepers and underrated impact players who could really shine. Whether it’s dual-threat quarterbacks or wide receivers itching for a breakout, these athletes could surprise a lot of folks.
Let’s look at a few of the hidden gems for the 2026 college football season.
Quarterbacks to Watch
The quarterback spot always gets a ton of attention, and it’s no different this year. A few QBs who haven’t made much noise yet are ready for their moment.
Colton Joseph – Wisconsin
Transfer ranking: QB 22, 254 overall
Colton Joseph comes from Old Dominion University (ODU) with a real knack for dual-threat play. Last season, he threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns, plus he ran for 1,007 yards and scored 13 more times.
Wisconsin has had its share of quarterback chaos lately, but Joseph could finally bring some stability. Yeah, he tossed a few too many interceptions last year, but his accuracy and ability to break off big runs make him tough to ignore.
Kenny Odom – Syracuse
Transfer ranking: QB 37, 585 overall
Kenny Odom put up 2,594 passing yards and 19 touchdowns for Kennesaw State, with another 347 yards and seven scores on the ground. He led the Owls to the Conference USA Championship.
Now at Syracuse, Odom seems like a great fit for coach Fran Brown’s system. He runs better than most QBs Syracuse has had lately, so maybe this offense finally finds some spark.
Wide Receivers Ready to Break Out
Wide receivers usually depend on their quarterbacks, but a few guys have shown they can make things happen anyway.
Kenny Odom – USF
Transfer ranking: WR 190, 1,186 overall
Odom made a name for himself at UTEP, catching 108 passes for 1,323 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons. Even with shaky quarterback play, his ball skills and knack for yards after the catch stood out.
Now he joins South Florida’s offense, and with Brian Hartline (formerly of Ohio State) calling the shots, Odom might just explode this year.
Johntay Cook – Ole Miss
Transfer ranking: WR 56, 285 overall
Johntay Cook’s last season was a bit up and down. He started strong—18 catches for 334 yards in just four games—but his numbers dropped after Steve Angeli’s injury.
With a healthy Trinidad Chambliss or Deuce Knight at quarterback, Cook could become a real weapon for Ole Miss. Some folks even think he could be the next Elijah Moore in the slot. That’s a big comparison, but hey, why not?
Running Backs Poised for Success
Running backs have to shoulder a lot, and these guys look ready for it.
Makhi Hughes – Houston
Transfer ranking: RB 18, 214 overall
Makhi Hughes tore it up at Tulane, piling up 2,779 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in two years. After a short stop at Oregon, he’s landed at Houston.
He’ll try to replace Dean Connors, and if Houston keeps using their backs the way they have, Hughes could post some big numbers again.
Abu Sama – Wisconsin
Transfer ranking: RB 16, 205 overall
Abu Sama split carries at Iowa State, but he still managed 1,319 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons. Now he’s at Wisconsin, a team that lives for running the ball.
Sama’s proven he can handle tough conditions and break tackles, so he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.
Other Notable Transfers
There are a few more names worth mentioning outside the usual quarterback, receiver, and running back spots.
Michael Van Buren – USF
Transfer ranking: QB 53, 734 overall
Michael Van Buren had a solid freshman year at Mississippi State. He was supposed to start at LSU, but things fell apart, and now he’s at USF.
With Brian Hartline running the show, Van Buren’s in a great spot to show what he’s got this season. Maybe he finally gets the breakout he’s been chasing.
Walker Eget – Duke
Transfer ranking: QB 61, 1,066 overall
Walker Eget led FBS in passing yards and attempts before an injury cut his season short. He doesn’t move much in the pocket, and he threw more picks than you’d like, but there’s something about his fit in Duke’s pass-heavy offense that grabs your attention.
If he manages to stay healthy, Eget could put up some pretty wild numbers this season. I wouldn’t be shocked if he surprises people.
For a deeper dive into transfer portal sleepers and underrated impact players, check out the full article on Rotoballer.
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