The landscape of college football never really sits still, does it? One of the biggest shake-ups lately has been the transfer portal—honestly, it’s changed everything about how teams build their rosters.
Now, players can move around like never before. As the 2026 season creeps up, it’s worth taking a closer look at which teams have really figured out how to use the portal to their advantage.
This article breaks down the top 30 transfer portal classes in FCS football. We’ll point out some standout new arrivals and try to get at what makes these classes so interesting.
Top 30 Transfer Portal Classes in FCS Football
The transfer portal’s become a must-have tool for building a team. There’s no spring portal window this year, so most players have landed with their new squads already.
Rankings here count all transfers, even those from non-Division I schools. Players with more experience get a little more credit, which feels fair.
Both the number and quality of each team’s transfers were measured. Each player was assigned a value based on how much they’re expected to contribute, and those scores were added up for a team total.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
Some teams have pulled off big moves, bringing in players who look ready to help right away. A few names stand out:
- Jordan Bennett (Shepherd, RB)
- Joseph Towler (Bowie State, WR)
- Kelton Sparks (Morehead State, OL)
- Tyler Habersham (New Hampshire, OL)
- Anthony Chuman (St. Francis, OL)
These guys bring plenty of experience and skill to their new teams. It’ll be interesting to see how they fit in once games get underway.
Top Teams and Their Impactful Transfers
Some programs have really knocked it out of the park in the portal, picking up talent that could shift the balance this season. Let’s check out a couple of the big winners and their fresh faces.
Team A: Building a Powerhouse
Team A’s made a real splash, grabbing players who could step in and produce right away. Here’s who they landed:
- Parker Awad (New Mexico State, QB)
- Harrison Bey-Buie (Northern Iowa, RB)
- Jacob Ziegler (Morehead State, OL)
- Ashton Schumann (Central Oklahoma, WR)
- Kevin Lalin (Catawba, RB)
- Bryce Washington (Ohio Dominican, LB)
With these additions, Team A’s looking deeper and more experienced across the board. They might just be setting themselves up for a big year.
Team B: Strengthening the Defense
Team B focused on shoring up its defense by adding proven players from the portal. Here are a few of their top newcomers:
- Ellis Stewart (UAPB, WR)
- Christian White (Mississippi Valley State, WR)
- Jake Godfrey (Louisiana-Monroe, WR)
- Mark Ellis (Mississippi State, OL)
- Jhamal Shelby Jr. (Louisiana Tech, CB)
- Lynard Harris (Louisiana-Monroe, DB)
With these defensive pieces, Team B hopes to slow down some of the top offenses and maybe flip a few close games their way.
Honorable Mentions
Plenty of teams outside the top 30 deserve a little credit for their portal work too. Here are a few to keep an eye on:
- Monmouth
- Gardner-Webb
- SEMO
- Towson
- Mercer
- North Carolina Central
- Southern Illinois
- Alabama A&M
- Texas Southern
These programs have also brought in some intriguing transfers. Who knows, maybe one of them will make a surprise run as the season unfolds.
The transfer portal has really shaken up college football. Teams now have all sorts of new ways to patch up their rosters or chase that extra edge.
Looking at 2026, it’s hard not to wonder how much these moves will matter. The programs that nailed it in the portal might just surprise us all.
Curious about which schools landed the biggest names? Take a look at the full list of the top 30 transfer portal classes and their headline additions over at FCS Football Top 30 Transfer Portal Class Rankings 2026.
We’ll keep an eye on these transfers as the season unfolds. Honestly, whether you’re glued to every snap or just checking scores, 2026 could be a wild ride—mostly thanks to the chaos and excitement the transfer portal keeps stirring up.
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