NCAAF · 2 hours ago

CBS Sports Ranks 26 Most Important College Football Transfers for 2026

John Canady

Host · Writer

26) S Terry Moore, Ohio State
Former Team: Duke

Terry Moore gives Ohio State another experienced defensive back capable of fitting multiple roles in the secondary. His time at Duke showed he can play downhill and cover space, which should make him valuable in the Buckeyes’ defensive rotation.
1) QB Sam Leavitt, LSU
Former Team: Arizona State

Sam Leavitt heads to LSU with massive expectations after breaking out at Arizona State. His ability to extend plays and push the ball vertically feels like a natural fit in Baton Rouge, especially in an offense that thrives on explosive quarterback play.
2) QB Josh Hoover, Indiana
Former Team: TCU

Josh Hoover gives Indiana a proven passer who already showed he can handle high-volume production at TCU. The Hoosiers needed stability at quarterback, and Hoover arrives with the experience and confidence to elevate an offense that struggled to threaten defenses through the air consistently.
3) QB Darian Mensah, Miami
Former Team: Duke

Darian Mensah landing at Miami feels like one of the biggest upside swings of the portal cycle. He flashed real poise at Duke, and with Miami surrounding him with more speed and protection, the Hurricanes are betting on his talent translating into a breakout season.
4) WR Cam Coleman, Texas
Former Team: Auburn

Cam Coleman gives Texas another dangerous outside target with legitimate game-changing ability. His size and explosiveness should immediately open up the Longhorns’ offense, particularly in red zone situations where physical receivers tend to thrive in the SEC.
5) DL Mateen Ibirogba, Texas Tech
Former Team: Wake Forest

Mateen Ibirogba fills a major need for Texas Tech up front after showing disruptive flashes at Wake Forest. He brings toughness and versatility to a defensive line that needed more consistency against physical rushing attacks.
6) EDGE John Henry Daley, Michigan
Former Team: Utah

John Henry Daley feels like a classic Michigan defensive addition because of his motor and physicality. After developing at Utah, he now joins a system that has consistently maximized edge defenders and turned them into difference makers.
7) DL Terrance Green, Alabama
Former Team: Oregon

Terrance Green gives Alabama another powerful interior presence capable of changing games at the line of scrimmage. His experience at Oregon should help him transition quickly into a Crimson Tide defense that always demands depth and production in the trenches.
8) CB Jontez Williams, USC
Former Team: Iowa State

Jontez Williams adds experience and reliability to a USC secondary that badly needed both. He developed into a dependable corner at Iowa State, and the Trojans are counting on him to bring more toughness and discipline to the back end.
9) S Earl Little Jr., Ohio State
Former Team: Florida State

Earl Little Jr.'s move to Ohio State feels like one that could unlock his full potential. The Buckeyes have a history of developing elite defensive backs, and his athleticism gives them another versatile piece in the secondary.
10) OT Jacarrius Peak, South Carolina
Former Team: NC State

Jacarrius Peak steps into a huge opportunity at South Carolina after proving himself at NC State. His size and physical style should translate well in the SEC, especially for a Gamecocks offense looking to become more balanced up front.
11) QB Byrum Brown, Auburn
Former Team: South Florida

Byrum Brown gives Auburn a quarterback with legitimate dual-threat ability and plenty of starting experience. His mobility should add another dimension to the Tigers’ offense while easing pressure on the passing game early in the season.
12) CB A.J. Harris, Indiana
Former Team: Penn State

A.J. Harris staying in the Big Ten with Indiana could end up being one of the conference’s sneakiest additions. He already understands the physicality of the league from his time at Penn State, and the Hoosiers needed a corner capable of matching up against top receivers.
13) EDGE Princewill Umanmielen, LSU
Former Team: Ole Miss

Princewill Umanmielen joining LSU adds another explosive athlete to an already talented defensive front. He showed flashes of being a disruptive edge presence at Ole Miss, and LSU will likely give him every opportunity to attack quarterbacks aggressively.
14) EDGE Damon Wilson II, Miami
Former Team: Missouri

Damon Wilson II brings serious pass-rushing upside to Miami’s defense. Missouri tapped into his athletic tools at times, but the Hurricanes are hoping a larger role will help him become a consistent difference-maker off the edge.
15) CB D.J. McKinney, Notre Dame
Former Team: Colorado

D.J. McKinney gives Notre Dame another long and physical corner who fits the identity Marcus Freeman wants defensively. After competing in Colorado’s aggressive scheme, he should transition smoothly into a defense that values versatility in coverage.
16) WR Isaiah Horton, Texas A&M
Former Team: Alabama

Isaiah Horton arrives at Texas A&M with the potential to become a major target in the passing game. His frame and ball skills stand out immediately, and the Aggies needed another receiver capable of creating matchup problems on the outside.
17) DL Xavier Gilliam, Tennessee
Former Team: Penn State

Xavier Gilliam strengthens Tennessee’s defensive line rotation with a player who already understands high-level competition from Penn State. The Volunteers needed more depth in the trenches, and Gilliam brings both experience and physicality.
18) WR Nick Marsh, Indiana
Former Team: Michigan State

Nick Marsh could become a huge piece of Indiana’s offensive rebuild after showing intriguing upside at Michigan State. His playmaking ability should pair well with Josh Hoover and give the Hoosiers another legitimate weapon in the passing game.
19) QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, Virginia Tech
Former Team: Penn State

Ethan Grunkemeyer gives Virginia Tech a talented young quarterback with plenty of long-term upside. Penn State recruited him for a reason, and the Hokies are betting his arm talent can eventually develop into the centerpiece of the offense.
20) EDGE Da'Shawn Womack, Auburn
Former Team: Ole Miss

Da'Shawn Womack heading to Auburn gives the Tigers another athletic edge defender with SEC experience already under his belt. His length and burst make him an intriguing fit in a defense that wants to create more pressure off the edge.
21) OT Koit Dieterich, Washington
Former Team: Sam Houston State

Koit Dieterich is the kind of under-the-radar offensive line addition that could pay off quickly for Washington. After proving himself at Sam Houston State, he now steps into a much bigger spotlight, protecting against Big Ten defensive fronts every week.
22) WR Isiah Canion, Georgia
Former Team: Georgia Tech

Isiah Canion, staying in-state with Georgia, gives the Bulldogs another explosive receiver option. His speed and ability after the catch should fit naturally into an offense that always looks for ways to stress defenses horizontally and vertically.
23) WR Cayden Lee, Missouri
Former Team: Ole Miss

Cayden Lee brings proven SEC production to Missouri’s receiver room after a solid run at Ole Miss. With the Tigers replacing key offensive pieces, Lee’s experience and route running should make him a reliable target right away.
24) RB Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech
Former Team: Michigan

Justice Haynes, heading to Georgia Tech, adds instant juice to the Yellow Jackets’ backfield. Michigan never fully unlocked his talent, but his vision and explosiveness give Georgia Tech a runner capable of handling a major workload right away.
25) OT Carius Curne, Ole Miss
Former Team: LSU

Carius Curne staying in the SEC with Ole Miss feels significant because experienced offensive tackles are always in demand. After developing at LSU, he now steps into an offense that should allow him to play aggressively in both the run and pass game.
26) S Terry Moore, Ohio State
Former Team: Duke

Terry Moore gives Ohio State another experienced defensive back capable of fitting multiple roles in the secondary. His time at Duke showed he can play downhill and cover space, which should make him valuable in the Buckeyes’ defensive rotation.
1) QB Sam Leavitt, LSU
Former Team: Arizona State

Sam Leavitt heads to LSU with massive expectations after breaking out at Arizona State. His ability to extend plays and push the ball vertically feels like a natural fit in Baton Rouge, especially in an offense that thrives on explosive quarterback play.

CBS Sports Ranks 26 Most Important College Football Transfers for 2026

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