The Rise of the Unheralded: How the Transfer Portal is Rewriting College Football Recruiting
The landscape of college football is undergoing a dramatic shift, fueled by the transfer portal and a willingness to look beyond traditional recruiting rankings. Just last year, Trinidad Chambliss was a relatively unknown Division II quarterback at Ferris State. Now, he’s a superstar who led Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff. This isn’t a fluke; it’s a growing trend.
From D-II Diamonds to Power Four Stars
Chambliss’s story exemplifies the potential hidden within the transfer portal. Teams are now actively evaluating thousands of players across all levels, seeking overlooked gems. Danny Scudero, who ranked as the No. 311 overall wide receiver, led the FBS in receiving yards. Stephen Daley became an All-American for Indiana after being ranked No. 829 overall. Nadame Tucker led the FBS in sacks for Western Michigan, despite being the No. 42 edge rusher in his cycle. These successes demonstrate the value of digging deeper than the top-ranked recruits.
Identifying the Next Breakout Stars
To pinpoint potential under-the-radar steals in the 2026 transfer cycle, front office staffers were surveyed, resulting in a list of 100 players. Several names stand out as potential game-changers for Power Four programs.
Tight End Potential: Luke Dehnicke (Northwestern)
Luke Dehnicke, transferring from Minnesota Duluth, is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end who finished the 2025 season with 61 catches for 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns. One MAC source believes he has the potential to be a first-team All-American.
Blocking and Receiving Threat: Michael Masunas (Texas)
Michael Masunas, joining Texas from Michigan State, is considered a strong blocker with upside as a pass catcher. He was effective when targeted, with 19 catches for 232 yards and three scores. With Jack Endries earning 45 targets for Texas last year, Masunas could see a significant increase in opportunities.
Speed and Production: Devin McCuin (Ohio State)
Devin McCuin, transferring to Ohio State from UTSA, brings both production and athletic upside. He’s caught 152 passes for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career, and boasts a 10.54-second 100-meter time.
Dynamic Dual-Threat: Mason McKenzie (Boston College)
Mason McKenzie, from Saginaw Valley State, is a dynamic runner (942 yards, 5.9 ypc in 2025) and productive passer. Early reports from Boston College are positive, and one MAC source even compares him to Trinidad Chambliss.
Edge Rusher with Burst: Kenny Ozowalu (Oklahoma)
Kenny Ozowalu, joining Oklahoma from UTSA, possesses good size (6-foot-4, 270 pounds), excellent burst, and proven production (6 TFLs, 3 sacks). Front office staffers highlight his speed, and explosiveness.
Projection with Upside: Aaron Philo (Florida)
Aaron Philo, transferring to Florida from Georgia Tech, is a projection play with intriguing stats. He’s averaged 9.2 yards per attempt and 5.9 yards per carry in limited action. An ACC assistant GM believes he could outperform higher-ranked quarterbacks.
Power Back Potential: Kendrick Raphel (SMU)
Kendrick Raphel, joining SMU from Cal, rushed for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns last season despite playing for a team with a struggling run-blocking unit. A SMU source believes he could be a draft pick.
Sure Tackler: Ja’Marley Riddle (Georgia)
Ja’Marley Riddle, transferring to Georgia from East Carolina, is a sure tackler who covers a lot of ground. He has seven career interceptions and consistently finds himself in the right position.
NFL Potential: Brock Riker (Penn State)
Brock Riker, from Texas State, emerged as a starter as a redshirt freshman and didn’t allow a sack. A Penn State source believes he has NFL potential.
Sleeper Receiver: Flynn Schiele (Cincinnati)
Flynn Schiele, transferring to Cincinnati from Colorado School of Mines, was a dominant D2 receiver before an ACL injury. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, he possesses elite size and speed.
Linebacker with Impact: Keaton Thomas (Ole Miss)
Keaton Thomas, joining Ole Miss from Baylor, has totaled 100-plus tackles in each of the last two seasons. An Ole Miss source believes he could be the best linebacker in the SEC.
Disruptive Defensive Tackle: Alex VanSumeren (USC)
Alex VanSumeren, transferring to USC from Michigan State, is a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive tackle who is described as “dense and indicate.” A USC source believes he will significantly improve their rush defense.
Sun Belt Standout: Sahir West (UCLA)
Sahir West, transferring to UCLA from James Madison, was a monster in the Sun Belt, with 45 tackles, 14 TFLs, and seven sacks. A Big 12 GM believes he will be a problem for opposing offenses.
Ball-Hawking Safety: Jaquez White (Virginia Tech)
Jaquez White, transferring to Virginia Tech from Troy, had 67 tackles, 3 INTs, and 11 passes defended last season. He also held opposing receivers to a 55.4% catch rate.
Experienced and Intelligent: Preston Zachman (Indiana)
Preston Zachman, transferring to Indiana from Wisconsin, has played 1,484 career snaps and has seven career interceptions. A Big 12 Director of Recruiting describes him as a smart and reliable player.
The Future of Recruiting: A Novel Era
The success stories of players like Chambliss, Scudero, Daley, and Tucker are reshaping how college football teams approach recruiting. The transfer portal provides a unique opportunity to identify and develop hidden talent, challenging the traditional reliance on high school rankings. This trend is likely to continue, forcing programs to invest in robust scouting networks and data analytics to uncover the next generation of breakout stars.
Did you know? The number of players entering the transfer portal has increased significantly in recent years, creating a larger pool of potential talent for teams to evaluate.
FAQ
Q: Is the transfer portal leveling the playing field?
A: Yes, it allows programs with less traditional recruiting advantages to compete for talented players.
Q: What qualities should teams look for in transfer portal prospects?
A: Production, athletic upside, and a strong work ethic are key factors.
Q: Will high school recruiting become less important?
A: Not entirely, but it will likely be supplemented by a greater emphasis on the transfer portal.
Want to learn more about the impact of the transfer portal? Explore our other articles on college football recruiting.
