It’s time for college football’s free agency period, aka the Transfer Portal. During this time, players will enter their names into the open market. Teams and boosters will then begin open bidding wars. What used to be unheard of in the world of college football is now one of the most anticipated times of the year. The portal window officially opens on January 2nd. Let’s take a look at some of the top names who have already declared their intentions to enter the portal.
Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
Leavitt is currently ranked as the #1 QB and #2 overall player in the transfer portal according to On3. Over the past two seasons, Leavitt has posted 4,513 yards, 34 TDs, and 9 INTs through the air, plus 743 yards and 10 TDs on the ground.
In 2024, Leavitt led Arizona State to a Big 12 title and a college football playoff appearance. He finishes 5-2 versus ranked opponents over the last two seasons.
LSU and Oregon will be the most prominent players here. Oregon has just about abandoned high school quarterbacks, and Lane Kiffin is looking for a spark heading into 2026 in Baton Rouge.
Josh Hoover, QB, TCU
Hoover is the #6-ranked QB and #8 overall player in the transfer portal. In the last two seasons, Hoover has thrown for 7,421 yards, 56 TDs, and 24 INTs. Known as a gunslinger-style quarterback, Hoover can fit into any offense that suits his aggression.
Hoover has led TCU to a 17-8 record since the start of 2024. He will draw attention from multiple contenders. The early favorite to land Hoover’s services is Indiana. Curt Cignetti has made his interest in veteran quarterbacks known.
Another school to monitor could be Tennessee, with Josh Heupel looking for a veteran quarterback. But Indiana is the clear favorite here.
Cam Cook, RB, Jacksonville State
Cook was college football’s leading rusher this season. He finished the season with 1,659 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. Cook averaged 5.6 yards per carry. He added 286 receiving yards.
Originally from TCU, Cook is looking to get back to the Power 4 level.
Cook will likely have many suitors. LSU is considered a likely candidate. The Tigers’ leading rusher was Caden Durham, who ran for just 505 yards. South Carolina is another candidate. The Gamecocks are throwing out NIL checks to keep LaNorris Sellers, Dylan Stewart, and Nyck Harbor, and they’re losing Rahsul Faison to the NFL Draft.
Brendan Sorsby, QB, Cincinnati
Sorsby has been one of college football’s top dual-threat quarterbacks for the last two seasons. He’s totaled 6,640 total yards, 63 total TDs, and 12 INTs.
Despite Sorsby’s efforts, the Bearcats have gone just 12-12 since the start of 2024. Sorsby will be looking for a contending team with a chance to shine in the postseason.
The clear favorite for Sorsby is Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are expected to spend a pretty penny in the transfer portal, and it will start at quarterback. Sorsby’s acquisition will make Texas Tech the Big 12’s #1 contender in 2026.
DJ Lagway, QB, Florida
Lagway’s production has faltered during the last two seasons. He’s thrown for just 4,179 yards, 28 TDs, and 23 INTs. However, production is not the reason for Lagway’s many suitors.
Lagway is one of the greatest quarterbacks in Texas High School Football history. He was the #1-ranked QB in his class, and coaches are not giving up on him after two seasons. After playing college football’s most challenging schedule for two years, plus dealing with Billy Napier, Lagway is looking for a fresh start.
LSU is a popular candidate for Lagway. Lane Kiffin’s system will use Lagway’s physical traits to the fullest. Other schools on the list are Miami and Baylor. Colleges are preaching one thing to Lagway: quarterback development. Given the poor positional coaching, Lagway is the same quarterback who arrived at Florida.
Byrum Brown, QB, USF
Brown’s transfer to the P4 has been a long time coming. He has been one of the best players in the G5 for the last few years. He missed half the season in 2024, but in 2023/2025, he accrued 8,267 total yards, 79 total TDs, and 18 INTs.
Brown led USF to a 9-3 record along with a 2-1 record against ranked opponents. He took USF to The Swamp and defeated Florida.
Brown is almost sure to follow his coach, Alex Golesh, to Auburn. If not Auburn, then keep an eye on Miami, which is in the market for a veteran quarterback for 2026.
Chaz Coleman, EDGE, Penn State
Coleman is currently On3’s #1-ranked player in the transfer portal. He’s a 6’4, 245-pound edge rusher who draws early comparisons to Abdul Carter. Coleman didn’t see much playing time in 2025, totaling 8 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 FF.
Coleman was a blue-chip recruit in the 2025 class. He held offers from Penn State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Florida State. Penn State and Ohio State battled for Coleman’s commitment, with the Nittany Lions obviously winning.
Many believe that Coleman is now leaving Penn State for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the clear favorite here.
