Jan 17, 2026
3 min read
While there will be additions after Friday's deadline, here are the best transfer prices, starting with Indiana, LSU and Texas Tech.
College Football's 10 Best Transfer Classes So Far: The Rich Get Richer
-Indiana, LSU and Texas Tech are among the top transfer classes this cycle.
- New coaches, like Eric Morris at Oklahoma State, often use the portal to bring in large numbers of new players.
- Acquisitions of key players include quarterback Josh Hoover to Indiana and Brendan Sorsby to Texas Tech.
Smart teams approach the portal with specific needs and goals, identifying plug-and-play additions that can lift a program from eight wins to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff - just like Texas Tech did this season.
Or, in Indiana's case, from the basement of the Big Ten to almost the top of the Football Bowl division.
But there are instances where new coaches need to use a big-tent approach to get as many new players as possible to quickly rebuild a roster.The best example of this in this year's cycle is Oklahoma State and new coach Eric Morris.
∎ Transfers by conference: SEC |Big 10 |ACC |More 12
The gates will close on Friday night but the excitement isn't over as players who joined before the deadline can sign up for the new program and be eligible for this season.
With more to come next week, here are the best transfer classes so far from the Hoosiers, LSU and Red Raiders:
Best transfer: QB Josh Hoover, WR Nick Marsh, OG Joe Brunner
The undefeated Hoosiers found their next starting quarterback in Hoover (TCU).They got an elite new receiver in Marsh (Michigan State) and Power Four running back Turbo Richard (Boston College).They will build a front behind Brunner (Wisconsin), perhaps the best offensive lineman on the market.And to spice things up, Indiana added rushing help on the defensive line and all-conference defensive back AJ Harris (Penn State).
Best Transfers: QB Sam Leavitt, S Ty Benefield, RR Jess Brown
Leavitt (Arizona State) is one of three recruits in this class, along with Husan Longstreet (Southern California) and Landen Clark (Elon).Lane Kiffin also added perhaps gate defense at Benefield (Boise State) while rebuilding the Tigers' receiving corps with Brown (Kansas State), Eugene Wilson (Florida), Winston Watkins (Ole Miss) and Tre' Brown III (Old Dominion).
Best transfers: QB Brendan Sorsby; DT Mateen Ibirogba; LB Austin Romaine
One of the top players on the roster, Sorsby (Cincinnati) brings Big 12 experience and NFL-ready skills to the starting job.Tech added another experienced Big 12 recruit in Romaine (Kansas State), a starter since midway through his freshman year.Ibirogba (Wake Forest) was an ACC all-conference selection and one of six linemen to join the list, including cornerback Adam Trick (Maryland) and defensive end Bryce Butler (Washington).
Best Transfers: EDGE Javeon Hilson, WR Q Sean Brown, EDGE Kamourin Morgan
James Franklin retired several Penn State players, including tight end Luke Reynolds and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeier.The Hokies have been particularly productive in adding edges, with Morgan (Baylor) and Hilson (Missouri) joined by a host of former Nittany Lions in Cortez Harris, Milachi Williams and Daniel Jennings.
Top Carrier: WR Cam Coleman, DT Ian Geffrard, RB Hollywood Smothers
This is a smaller transfer class, signed by the type of players that will bring the Longhorns back to the playoffs.This includes high-profile starters supporting the development of Arch Manning in Coleman (Auburn) and Smothers (North Carolina State).On defense, Texas added two huge pieces to the front seven in Geffrard (Arkansas) and former All-ACC linebacker Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh).
Outstanding pass rushers: OT Kyrias Kearney, WR Darrell Gill Jr., CB Jay Crawford
Along with Curne (LSU) and Gill (Syracuse), the Rebels added quarterback Deuce Knight (Auburn) as a potential new starter.While young, Curne has the frame and athleticism to develop into one of the best in the SEC.Crawford (Auburn) is a proven starter on the outside with room to grow.Holding on for another year would probably be the biggest off-field victory of Pete Golding's new season.
Key transfers: QB Rocco Becht, S Marcus Neal Jr., WR Chase Sowell
Penn State's 36-player class includes a bunch of big pieces from last year's offense under Matt Campbell at Iowa State, including Becht, Sowell, running back Carson Hansen, tight end Ben Brahmer and interior lineman Trevor Buhr.The same goes for the defense: Neal, fellow safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Jamison Patton, tackle Ikenna Ezeagu and linebackers Caleb Bacon and Cooper.Abel will help ease the transition to a new staff and build the Nittany Lions into a Big Ten contender.
Best transfers: S Coen Entringer, TE Brady Foley, WR Trey Richardson
Louisville and coach Jeff Brohm continue to excel at the portal.Entringer (Iowa) is really a great request to protect the need for experience and proven production;he was considered an NFL draft pick before joining the Cardinals.The offense is joined by one of the strongest passing cycles in Lincoln Kienholtz (Ohio State) and Foley (Tulsa), Richardson (Vanderbilt) and Lowayne McCoy (Florida State).
Transfer Top: QB Kenny Minchy, OT Lance Hurd, S Jordan Castell
Kentucky and new coach Will Stein have been making noise.Minchey (Notre Dame) briefly committed to Nebraska before committing to the Wildcats.Casteel (Florida) is a veteran SEC player who could help develop a young but talented player on the roster.Colleton Price (Baylor) in the offensive line change.Stein also rebuilt the backfield with CJ Baxter (Texas) and Jovanta Barnes (Oklahoma).
The main Transfer: QB Drew Mestemakeer,
Like Campbell at Penn State, Morris brought in much of his key players from North Texas, led by Mestemaker, Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young.These pieces will lead to a significant improvement to this season's Tribe offense.The defense will feature an influx of Power Four transfers, such as Chisom (UCLA), Louisville lineman Jerry Lawson, linebacker Tate Romney (Arizona State) and running back Trudell Berry (Vanderbilt).
