In anticipation of the 2025 college football season, CBS Sports has highlighted the best 11 players moving from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). These athletes are positioned to contribute significantly to their new programs because they demonstrated extraordinary potential at their previous colleges.
CBS Sports Unveils Top FCS-to-FBS Transfers for 2025 College Football Season
Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa: Gronowski is expected to lead the Hawkeyes even though he missed spring practice because of surgery. The former standout quarterback from South Dakota State is prepared for the FBS challenge. During his four seasons at South Dakota State, he led the Jackrabbits to FCS national titles in 2022 and 2023, throwing for 10,308 yards and winning 49 games.
Sincere Brown, WR, Colorado: After receiving interest from prominent colleges, this 6-foot-5 receiver with big-play skills ended up at Colorado University. Brown had a spectacular 2024 season at Campbell, hauling 61 passes for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns. His catch average was 16.9 yards.
Jordan Dwyer, WR, TCU: Dynamic receivers are a specialty of TCU, and Dwyer might be the next. In 2024, he had a stellar season at Idaho, hauling 78 passes for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns. Throughout his three seasons at Idaho, Dwyer caught 110 passes for 1,656 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Javonnie Gibson, WR, Oklahoma: Gibson will likely be a top target for the Sooners while he heals from a fractured leg. The former standout player for Arkansas-Pine Bluff will want to make an immediate impression.
Bryce Hawthorne, DL, Iowa: Hawthorne strengthens Iowa’s defensive line. Hawthorne comes from South Dakota State. In his first full season as a starter in 2024, he amassed 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Malachi Hosley, RB, Georgia Tech: Hosley ran for 1,192 yards and nine touchdowns at Penn, where he was a nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton Award. He amassed 2,250 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns during his two seasons at Penn.
M’quise Humphrey-Grace, EDGE, Kentucky: Humphrey-Grace is expected to improve Kentucky’s defense because of his powerful physique and outstanding stats (9.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss at Central Connecticut State). He recorded 101 career tackles, 26.0 tackles for loss, and 15.0 sacks when he was at South Dakota.
Rahtrel Perry, OL, Maryland: The Terps anticipate an early impact from this giant 6-foot-7, 323-pound lineman from Central Connecticut State. During CCSU’s games against UMass and Central Michigan, Perry did not permit a single sack.
Derek Simmons, OL, Oklahoma: Simmons, a Western Carolina native, blocked 417 passes last season without giving up a single sack. It is anticipated that he will strengthen Oklahoma’s offensive line.
Cole Wisniewski, DB, Texas Tech: Although there are injury concerns, Wisniewski from North Dakota State adds talent to Texas Tech’s secondary. He recorded eight interceptions and 92 total tackles in 2023.
Hunter Zambrand, OL, Texas Tech: The former Illinois State All-American hopes to recover and contribute to the Red Raiders after a season-ending injury in 2024.
Impact on the 2025 Season
The talent transfer from the FCS to the FBS highlights the depth and caliber of the lower division. These transfers bring talent and a desire to succeed on a larger scale. Given their flexibility and prior experiences, they are expected to fit in well with their new teams.
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These additions are anticipated to have a major impact on programs like Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech, possibly changing their season paths. As these players start this new chapter, fans and analysts will closely watch their performance, curious to see how their FCS success translates to the FBS level.
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