Coming off a relatively disappointing 9-4 campaign, the Tigers brought in the top-ranked transfer portal class, per 247 Sports. The group was headlined by EDGE Patrick Payton, who amassed 16 sacks across three seasons with the Florida State Seminoles. Safety Tamarcus Cooley, formerly of NC State, totaled 39 tackles and three picks last season.
The Ducks reeled in a talented transfer portal group headlined by the top offensive lineman in the portal, Isaiah World. He’ll open up running lanes for new Oregon running back Makhi Hughes, who rushed for 2,779 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons with the Tulane Green Wave.
After seeing little time during his first two seasons at Washington State, as he was buried behind Ward, the job was Mateer’s for the entirety of last season, and he made the most of it.
The former Georgia Bulldogs signal-caller spurned the NFL Draft and, instead, entered his name into the portal, where his services were surely needed elsewhere for a large amount of compensation. He was right, as the Miami Hurricanes- seeing off No. 1-overall pick Cam Ward- needed a QB. Their offer? A reported $4 million for the 2025-26 season.
The winner of the whole Nico Iamaleava saga, the Bruins managed to land Iamaleava for a discounted price than what he wanted, as they were essentially the last program that would take him. While there are now questions about his leadership and lack of “team before me” attitude, his talent on the field is unquestioned.
Continuing the trend of QBs cashing in, Mensah parlayed a terrific true freshman season with the Tulane Green Wave — 2,723 passing yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 65.9% of his passes — into a reported $8 million NIL deal across the next two seasons with the Duke Blue Devils.
It’s tough not to mention the Red Raiders when talking about who had the most success through the transfer portal. They secured additions across the board — in all, there are 21 arrivals via the portal.
The Rebels’ brass went to work in the portal — specifically with their pass-catching unit, which saw four of its top five receivers depart via the draft.
A last-second transfer portal addition puts the Nittany Lions in this spot after they landed former Syracuse WR Trebor Pena, who quickly became the top player in the portal as soon as he entered in late April after posting 84 receptions, 941 yards, and nine touchdowns a season ago.
The Tigers struggled at the quarterback position in 2024, going through Payton Thorne and Hank Brown without much success. This culminated in a 5-7 record and a missed bowl game, which is expected at the very least at Auburn.
