NCAAF · 8 hours ago

Ranking the Top 15 5th-Year College Football Players Who Could Return

Grant White

Host · Writer

15. Austin Jordan - S
Starting his college career with Texas, Austin Jordan transferred to TCU ahead of his junior season. He made an immediate impact, solidifying his position as the team's starting nickelback.

Jordan appeared in all 25 games with the Horned Frogs, including 12 starts in 2025. As a senior, the defensive back totaled 40 tackles, a sack, and a pass defensed, while helping TCU to a 9-4 record.

Austin Jordan has a lot to offer in the secondary. Welcoming him back onto the team would elevate TCU's outlook heading into 2026.
1. Desmond Reid - RB
Sure, 2025 wasn't Desmond Reid's best season. The former Pitt running back appeared in just nine games, ceding ground to Ja'Kyrian Turner following a rash of injuries. The Panthers should be happy to welcome Reid back into the fold with open arms.

Reid broke out during his junior campaign. After transferring from Western Carolina, the Florida native churned out 966 rushing yards and five scores on 184 carries.

While he wasn't able to replicate that last season, Reid proved that he could still be a game-changer when he was healthy. He put up 200 rushing and receiving yards in a 34-31 win over FSU, showcasing his growing skillset in the passing game.

Adding Desmond Reid would transform Pitt into an ACC threat.
2. Thomas Castellanos - QB
Thomas Castellanos was well-traveled ahead of Friday's landmark ruling. The quarterback could end up at his fourth school in five years ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Castellanos' breakout campaign back in 2023 when he threw for 2,248 yards and ran for 1,113 more with Boston College. Since then, he's added 4,126 passing and 751 rushing yards in one season with BC and Florida State.

Most programs would welcome a dual-threat quarterback of Castellanos' ilk. We don't think it will be long before he finds a landing spot.
3. JaCorey Thomas - DB
JaCorey Thomas was a regular in Georgia's defense last season. Whether its with the Bulldogs are another marquee program, we predict Thomas will be back in the fold ahead of Week 0.

Thomas was at his best when the lights shone brightest. The defensive back tallied six tackles in an SEC Championship Game win over Alabama, adding three more in the Sugar Bowl. In total, he ended the 2025 season with 45 tackles and a sack.

Experience is an asset, and there are few DBs whose resumes match Thomas'. He could add to this accomplishments this season.
4. Myles Rowser - DB
Arguably, Myles Rowser is the most desirable defensive back impacted by Judge Sweeney's ruling. Rowser was a one-man wrecking ball with Arizona State, and could transform a defense.

It wasn't always against elite competition, but Rowser excelled in all facets of the game. Across four seasons, one with Campbell, one with New Mexico State, and two with ASU, Rowser totaled 295 tackles, 8.5 of which came for a loss, 1.0 sacks, 16 passes defensed, and two interceptions.

Rowser could return to the Sun Devils, but we wouldn't be surprised if a more prominent program came knocking.
5. Traevon Mitchell - DL
After burning three of his four seasons in Div. 2, Traevon Mitchell burst onto the FBS scene with a triumphant senior season. Thankfully, we may get a sequel to that performance in 2026.

Mitchell cemented his place on USF's defensive line. He appeared in 12 games for the Bulls, recording 29 tackles, six TFLs, and four quarterback hurries.

He may not be the most imposing presence on the defensive line, but what Mitchell lacks in size he makes up for in speed and ferocity. The Bulls will be hoping he returns for a fifth season.
6. Trent Hendrick - LB
James Madison made school history last season, making it to the CFP for the first time. That success was built on the strength of elite defensive play, a facet they could improve on ahead of this season.

Trent Hendrick led that Dukes' defense in tackles, recording 106 across 14 games. Most notably, he led the way in the CFP first-round, notching 10 tackles in a closer-than-expected loss to Oregon. That was his fifth double-digit tackle performance of the season.

Hendrick could do a lot of damage as a fifth-year senior. We're hoping he makes his triumphant return to the Dukes.
7. Boogie Trotter - DB
A Tennessee State transfer, Boogie Trotter spent his senior season with the Marshall Thundering Herd. Across 12 games, Trotter showcased his Swiss Army Knife skillset.

In addition to being a quality shutdown defensive back, Trotter showed he could handle any assignment. By the end of his senior season, he recorded 74 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, five interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Running it back with the Thundering Herd would help Marshall compete in the Sun Belt.
8. Alex Afari - LB
Alex Afari took on progressively more responsibility across his four seasons with Kentucky. We could see him reach new heights if he elects to come back for a fifth season.

Afari was a staple of the Wildcats' defensive schemes. He appeared in 48 games across his initial tenure, including 31 starts. Included in that are 10 starts in 2025, missing two games due to injury. The Italian-American led the way with 7.0 tackles for a loss, finishing second in sacks (2.5) and third in tackles (61).

Kentucky will be vying for its ninth bowl game in 11 seasons in 2026. Surely, Afari moves them closer to attaining that goal.
9. Stephen Daley - DL
While he wasn't a factor in Indiana's championship run, Stephen Daley showed he was an elite defender when called upon.

Daley missed all of the Hoosiers' playoff games, after suffering an injury in the Big Ten Championship Game. Nevertheless, he appeared in all 13 games prior to that, including six starts. Across that stretch, Daley wreaked havoc with 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Expectations are high in Bloomington. Getting Stephen Daley back would definitely help Indiana live up to those standards.
10. Jonathan Brady - WR
Jonathan Brady wasn't the Hoosiers' premier receiving option last season; however, he proved to be an impactful option when called upon.

Brady was a tertiary option for Fernando Mendoza, totaling just 115 receiving yards on 14 receptions last season. Still, he accounted for three scores with Indiana, and finished his fourth season with 111 receptions, 1,435 receiving yards, and 13 scores.

We know that Brady is capable of more. If the Hoosiers brought him back for a final campaign, we're confident Brady would demonstrate an even higher ceiling.
11. Jayden Fielding - K
Jayden Fielding was an integral part of Ohio State's championship in 2024. The place kicker's spot has been filled on the Buckeyes' roster, but Fielding would be an invaluable addition to virtually any other team.

While he isn't known for his distance, Fielding is an incredibly accurate kicker. He hasn't missed a point after attempt in any of his last two seasons, and has knocked down 78.9% of his field goal attempts across his three seasons at Ohio State.

Without an NFL contract offer, Fielding's only option is to run it back for a fifth season of college football. We'll see if that lands him a gig ahead of Week 0.
12. Cazeem Moore - DE
Cazeem Moore spent three years with Elon, before transferring to Virginia for his senior season. He made an indelible mark on the program, and would be an invaluable addition for 2026.

Moore is everything you want in a defensive lineman. He tallied 18 tackles, three TFLs, 3.0 sacks, and one pass defensed in his lone season in Charlottesville.

Virginia came up just short in the ACC Championship Game, losing in overtime to Duke. Cazeem Moore recorded one tackle in that loss, and would be looking to lead the Cavaliers back to glory this season.
13. Kellen Wyatt - DL
Kellen Wyatt transferred to Indiana for his senior season, helping the Hoosiers claim the National Championship. He could assume a similar role this season.

Moore's most productive campaigns came with Maryland. Still, he showed that he could be a difference-maker on any team. The defensive lineman recorded 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks with Indiana, starting the first seven games of the season before being forced to the sidelines in Week 8.

Extrapolating his production across an entire season, Wyatt could have easily been one of the top names on this list. If he's healthy, we would expect Wyatt to be an All-Conference defender.
14. Junior Tuihalamaka - DL
Notre Dame is one of the only programs that prefers to build from the ground up, instead of turning to the transfer portal. In that regard, they could welcome Junior Tuihalamaka back into the fold.

Tuihalamaka spent all four of his college seasons with the Fighting Irish. Across that stretch, the defensive lineman accumulated 60 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 3.5 TFLs, two passes defensed, and an interception.

His time in the starting lineup was sparse, but Tuihalamaka was still a factor when he was on the field. Marcus Freeman knows his worth and would make space for Tuihalamaka.
15. Austin Jordan - S
Starting his college career with Texas, Austin Jordan transferred to TCU ahead of his junior season. He made an immediate impact, solidifying his position as the team's starting nickelback.

Jordan appeared in all 25 games with the Horned Frogs, including 12 starts in 2025. As a senior, the defensive back totaled 40 tackles, a sack, and a pass defensed, while helping TCU to a 9-4 record.

Austin Jordan has a lot to offer in the secondary. Welcoming him back onto the team would elevate TCU's outlook heading into 2026.
1. Desmond Reid - RB
Sure, 2025 wasn't Desmond Reid's best season. The former Pitt running back appeared in just nine games, ceding ground to Ja'Kyrian Turner following a rash of injuries. The Panthers should be happy to welcome Reid back into the fold with open arms.

Reid broke out during his junior campaign. After transferring from Western Carolina, the Florida native churned out 966 rushing yards and five scores on 184 carries.

While he wasn't able to replicate that last season, Reid proved that he could still be a game-changer when he was healthy. He put up 200 rushing and receiving yards in a 34-31 win over FSU, showcasing his growing skillset in the passing game.

Adding Desmond Reid would transform Pitt into an ACC threat.

Ranking the Top 15 5th-Year College Football Players Who Could Return

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