The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal is open, and chaos is already in full swing. College football players are on the move, and programs are scrambling to fill holes or chase upgrades.
This year’s transfer portal window for FBS and FCS players kicked off at midnight ET on January 2 and runs through January 16. With no spring transfer period coming, this is the only shot for teams to make real changes.
Let’s take a look at a few of the top names making moves, their backgrounds, and the kind of impact they might have on their new squads. If you want the full list and more in-depth scouting, ESPN’s rankings of the top players in the portal is worth a peek.
Top Transfers to Watch
QB Josh Sorsby: From Cincinnati to Texas Tech
Josh Sorsby, who started his college career at Indiana, has become one of the most impressive passers in the country at Cincinnati. He’s a 6-3, 235-pound redshirt junior with just one year of eligibility left.
Sorsby’s a legit dual-threat. In two seasons with the Bearcats, he racked up 5,613 passing yards, 1,027 rushing yards, 63 touchdowns, and 16 turnovers. The guy made second-team All-Big 12 and landed in the top 10 for QBR.
Scout’s Take: Sorsby’s a three-year starter—big, strong arm, mobile. He can throw off-platform, drop it in deep, and gets the ball out quick on RPOs. He’s got a knack for anticipating routes and making his teammates look good.
He’s a powerful runner, too, with quick feet and a real sense for the pocket. His processing and ability to move under pressure? Pretty much elite.
WR Jalen Coleman: From Auburn to Undecided
Jalen Coleman, a sophomore wideout from Auburn, is easily one of the most exciting receivers in college football right now. He stands 6-3 and 201 pounds, and in his first two SEC seasons, he turned 93 catches into 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Coleman led the Tigers in receiving as a sophomore and has shown he can take over a game almost single-handedly.
Scout’s Take: Coleman’s upside is off the charts. He’s a big target, has crazy body control, and can haul in those wild, contested catches. He’s got that extra gear to blow by corners and tracks deep balls like he was born for it.
Sure, there have been some drops, but his speed and elusiveness after the catch make him a constant threat.
Notable Defensive Transfers
OT Brandon Peak: From NC State to South Carolina
Brandon Peak, a redshirt junior tackle from NC State, is a rare find in the portal. He’s 6-4, 298 pounds, started 33 games for the Wolfpack, and earned All-ACC honorable mention as a junior.
He switched from right to left tackle in 2025 and, impressively, has only given up four sacks in over 1,100 career pass pro snaps.
Scout’s Take: Peak can seal the edge, reach backside defenders, and get upfield as a zone blocker. He’s got explosive power and plays with a bit of an edge—love to see that in a lineman.
His footwork isn’t always perfect, but he recovers quickly and has the tools to be a top-tier pass blocker.
DT Adewale Ibirogba: From Wake Forest to Texas Tech
Adewale Ibirogba, a redshirt junior DT from Wake Forest, has been on a steady rise. At 6-3, 296 pounds, he just had his breakout year: 21 tackles, 19 pressures, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble.
He finished with the third-best pass rush grade among starting ACC defensive tackles, at least according to Pro Football Focus.
Scout’s Take: Ibirogba’s a disruptive run defender who loves slipping blocks and shooting gaps. He chases hard, has explosive power, and can push zone blockers back.
His hands are always moving, he generates good push, and he closes surprisingly well for his size. He’s versatile enough to line up anywhere along the defensive front—Texas Tech fans should be excited.
Impact on Teams
Texas Tech’s Ambitious Roster Moves
Texas Tech is going all-in on the portal this year. They’ve landed big talents like Sorsby and Ibirogba.
Sorsby’s arrival could take their offense—already ranked No. 2 in points per game—to another level. His experience and ability to make plays with his arm and legs are hard to ignore.
Ibirogba gives them more depth and strength up front, joining a defensive line that already got a boost from last year’s transfers like Lee Hunter and A.J. Holmes Jr. Texas Tech’s clearly aiming for one of the best defensive fronts in college football, and honestly, who could blame them?
South Carolina’s Offensive Line Upgrade
South Carolina landing Brandon Peak is huge for the Gamecocks. With LaNorris Sellers entering his third year as QB, keeping him upright is priority number one.
Sellers was sacked 42 times in 2025—the most of any Power 4 QB. Peak’s experience and blocking skills should help turn things around for that line, or at least that’s the hope.
Conclusion
The 2026 NCAA football transfer portal is shaking things up for players and programs alike. Quarterbacks like Josh Sorsby and Jalen Coleman are making headlines, while defensive names such as Brandon Peak and Adewale Ibirogba are finding new homes.
It’s honestly a bit wild to see how much the portal can change the feel of a season. If you’re curious about who’s making moves, check out ESPN’s rankings of the top players in the portal.
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