College football’s always shifting, and the latest transfer portal window? It’s a wild peek into how the top programs are thinking these days. Alabama trusts its own quarterbacks, LSU’s throwing cash around, and everywhere you look, schools are taking different swings at building a winning roster.
Let’s dig into the transfer portal moves that might just tilt the scales this season. Some choices are bold, some are stubborn, and a few are honestly just fascinating.
Alabama’s Confidence in Homegrown Talent
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has, for the second year running, skipped the transfer portal in his search for a starting quarterback. Instead, the Crimson Tide are sticking with their own guys—a move that worked out last season when Ty Simpson led them to the College Football Playoff.
This year, the quarterback spot comes down to redshirt junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell. Neither has much real game experience, but the coaching staff’s been watching them closely.
Why Alabama Didn’t Use the Transfer Portal
DeBoer’s decision says a lot about his faith in Mack and Russell. He and his staff have been developing these two for a while, and that kind of familiarity can go a long way.
Honestly, it’s refreshing to see a program double down on its own talent, especially now, when it’s so much easier to look for quick fixes in the transfer market.
Cal’s Comprehensive Offensive Overhaul
California’s new head coach, Tosh Lupoi, didn’t waste any time shaking things up offensively. Last year, Cal struggled to run the ball and their receivers? Not exactly reliable.
To fix that, Lupoi brought in a wave of transfers: standout receivers Chase Hendricks and Ian Strong, plus running backs Adam Mohammed and Ashten Emory.
Key Additions to Cal’s Roster
- Chase Hendricks: 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns at Ohio in 2025
- Ian Strong: 762 yards and five touchdowns at Rutgers
- Dorian Thomas: Productive tight end from New Mexico
- Adam Mohammed: 523 yards at Washington in 2025
- Ashten Emory: 569 yards at UTEP
They didn’t stop there—Cal also grabbed five transfers for the offensive line. Maybe now, freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will actually have a shot to show what he can do.
Clemson’s Gradual Embrace of the Transfer Portal
Dabo Swinney at Clemson used to avoid the transfer portal like the plague. But things change, and this offseason, the Tigers added ten transfers, mostly to beef up their defense.
Among the new faces: running back Chris Johnson Jr. from SMU and defensive lineman Kourtney Kelly from West Georgia.
Defensive Reinforcements
Clemson’s haul includes four new players in the secondary and four along the defensive line. The message is pretty clear—they want to shore up both ends of the defense.
There was plenty of buzz about the Luke Ferrelli tampering thing, but the real story might be how these new defenders fit in and whether they can help Clemson get back on track.
LSU’s Big Spending for Big Results
LSU isn’t shy about opening the checkbook if it means chasing a national title. Lane Kiffin, now at the helm, has pieced together a transfer class ranked No. 1 by The Athletic.
Big names like quarterback Sam Leavitt from Arizona State and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton from Colorado headline the group.
High-Profile Transfers
- Sam Leavitt: Top quarterback transfer from Arizona State
- Jordan Seaton: Best offensive lineman available from Colorado
- Princewill Umanmielen: Top edge rusher from Ole Miss
- Jayce Brown: Productive receiver from Kansas State
- Ty Benefield: Safety from Boise State
LSU’s not just spending for the sake of it—Kiffin’s got a good eye for portal talent. If these guys gel, the Tigers could be a nightmare for the rest of the SEC.
Ole Miss’s Continued Commitment to Transfers
Even after losing Kiffin to LSU, Ole Miss isn’t backing off the transfer portal. The Rebels pulled in 29 transfers, landing them at No. 10 nationally according to The Athletic.
Quarterback Deuce Knight is set to take the reins after Trinidad Chambliss moves on, and ex-Auburn corner Jay Crawford joins the fold.
Retention and Recruitment
What’s impressive is Ole Miss managed to hang onto several key players from last year’s CFP semifinal squad. That mix of new faces and returning experience could keep them in the hunt.
Oregon’s Focus on Retention
Oregon’s not following the crowd. They signed just 12 transfers, with safety Koi Perich from Minnesota being the biggest name.
Instead, the Ducks are betting on the guys they’ve already got, especially along the defensive line and with quarterback Dante Moore.
Minimal Portal Activity
It’s a quieter approach, for sure. The coaching staff seems genuinely confident in their roster, and maybe that faith will pay off as they look to build on last year’s momentum.
Texas’s Offensive Revamp
Steve Sarkisian’s shaking things up at Texas, letting go of some productive players to bring in new blood. Top transfer receiver Cam Coleman is now in the mix, along with running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers.
New Offensive Weapons
- Cam Coleman: Top transfer receiver
- Raleek Brown: 1,000-yard rusher from Arizona State
- Hollywood Smothers: 939 yards and six touchdowns at NC State
With these guys around, quarterback Arch Manning suddenly has a lot more options. Texas fans are hoping this is the spark they need after last season’s letdown.
Texas Tech’s Offensive Upgrades
Texas Tech’s offense sputtered in the Orange Bowl, so they went out and made some changes. Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby, who ranks No. 2 on The Athletic’s transfer QB list, is the new guy under center.
They also added a handful of productive receivers to try and jumpstart things.
Key Additions at Receiver
- Jalen Jones: 1,167 yards at Alabama State (FCS)
- Kenny Johnson: 695 yards at Pitt
- Malcolm Simmons: 457 yards at Auburn
- Donte Lee Jr.: 589 yards at Liberty
These moves are all about bringing back that classic Texas Tech, high-flying offense. Will it work? Guess we’ll see soon enough.
USC’s Defensive Gamble
USC took a swing by hiring defensive guru Gary Patterson, but honestly, the real question is whether the players can match his vision. The Trojans signed just ten transfers, clearly picking quality over quantity.
Notable newcomers include Iowa State corner Jontez Williams and NC State receiver Terrell Anderson. It’s a bit of a gamble, but sometimes that’s what it takes.
Belief in In-House Talent
USC’s coaching staff hasn’t made many moves in the transfer market. Instead, they’re putting their chips on the table for the players already on the roster.
Is it a risky bet? Maybe, but their confidence in the squad is obvious. We’ll just have to wait and see how it shakes out on defense.
If you’re curious about the transfer portal details and what they could mean, check out the full article on The New York Times.
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