NCAAF · 1 hour ago

12 College Football Stars Who Just Rocked the Transfer Portal (Monday Commitments)

John Canady

Host · Writer

12) Kentucky’s Defensive Line Boost: Why Tyler Thomas Could Make an Immediate Impact
South Alabama → Kentucky

Tyler Thomas’s journey through the portal brings him to Kentucky, where the versatile defensive lineman looks to compete for a significant role in the Wildcats’ revamped front.
- Elite Production: After beginning his career at UAB, Thomas totaled 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles over the last two seasons at South Alabama, showing the ability to disrupt both the run and the pass.
- The “Fit” Factor: With Kentucky’s defense changing, Thomas brings experience, physicality, and depth to the line, providing a ready-to-contribute piece in the SEC trenches for 2026.
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1) Ole Miss’ Next Backfield Weapon: Why Makhi Frazier Is a Sneaky SEC Addition
Michigan State → Ole Miss

Makhi Frazier isn’t just leaving Michigan State for a new opportunity; he’s arriving in Oxford as a proven, physical runner ready to elevate an already dangerous Rebels offense.
- Elite Production: Frazier enjoyed a breakout season with the Spartans, totaling 520 rushing yards and two touchdowns while showcasing burst, vision, and the ability to handle SEC-level contact.
- The “Fit” Factor: Slotted behind Kewan Lacy, Frazier gives Ole Miss a dynamic change-of-pace option in the backfield, adding depth and versatility to a ground game built to thrive in the SEC.
2) Missouri’s New Trenches Upgrade: Why Zack Owens Bolsters the Tigers’ Offensive Line
Mississippi State → Missouri

Zack Owens’s portal journey continues, but his arrival in Columbia brings Missouri a battle-tested, versatile offensive lineman capable of shoring up depth and competing for snaps in the SEC.
- Elite Production: Owens brings experience from multiple Power Five stops, including Clemson, Colorado, and Mississippi State, giving him a rare understanding of different blocking schemes and high-level competition.
- The “Fit” Factor: For a Missouri program that values physicality up front, Owens adds immediate depth and flexibility along the offensive line — a valuable piece for an SEC grind where durability and options matter.
3) Purdue’s New Pass-Rush Piece: Why Elo Modozie Could Break Out in the Big Ten
Georgia → Purdue

Elo Modozie’s path to West Lafayette comes with proven production and untapped upside, as the former Army standout looks to turn opportunity into impact at Purdue.
- Elite Production: During his breakout 2024 season at Army, Modozie totaled 34 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a pass defense, flashing disruptive edge ability before transferring to Georgia.
- The “Fit” Factor: After getting caught in the Bulldogs’ depth-chart logjam, the six-foot-four edge defender lands at Purdue with a more straightforward path to snaps, where his length and pass-rush traits can translate into Big Ten production.
4) South Carolina’s Line Revamp Continues: Why Ebubedike Nnabugwu Matters Up Front
Montana State → South Carolina

South Carolina’s push to rebuild its offensive line rolls on, and Ebubedike Nnabugwu arrives in Columbia as a versatile, high-upside addition from the FCS ranks.
- Elite Production: At Montana State, Nnabugwu showcased positional flexibility and athleticism, proving capable of handling multiple roles along the offensive front while competing in a physical run-heavy system.
- The “Fit” Factor: With the size and agility to adapt to SEC speed, Nnabugwu projects as a valuable depth piece for the Gamecocks in 2026, giving South Carolina much-needed versatility as it reshapes its line.
5) Texas Tech’s New Edge Threat: Why Jamond Mathis Is a Big 12 Steal
Kent State → Texas Tech

Jamond Mathis’s rise at Kent State put him on the portal radar, and Texas Tech pounced, adding a proven pass rusher to a defense undergoing a significant upgrade.
- Elite Production: Mathis broke out this season with 28 tackles, six sacks, and three pass defenses, flashing explosive edge traits and the ability to disrupt both the run and the pass.
- The “Fit” Factor: With the Red Raiders prioritizing defensive improvement this offseason, Mathis brings high-upside pass-rush juice to a unit aiming to become one of the Big 12’s most physical and disruptive groups in 2026.
6) Northwestern’s Potential Workhorse: Why Gavin Sawchuk Is a Big Ten Bounce-Back Candidate
Florida State → Northwestern

Gavin Sawchuk’s college journey has been anything but linear, but his move to Northwestern sets the stage for a chance to finally anchor a backfield as a featured runner.
- Elite Production: Sawchuk enjoyed a breakout 2023 season at Oklahoma with 744 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, then rebounded at Florida State by posting 486 rushing yards and eight scores, proving he can still be a productive, goal-line-capable back.
- The “Fit” Factor: At Northwestern, Sawchuk steps into an opportunity-driven situation where he can compete to lead the backfield, offering the Wildcats a physical, experienced runner with Big Ten-ready production.
7) Baylor’s New Red-Zone Target: Why Tony Livingston Has Breakout Potential in the Big 12
Florida → Baylor

Tony Livingston’s move to Baylor represents a clean slate for one of the portal’s more intriguing tight end prospects, pairing upside with opportunity in a new offensive environment.
- Elite Production: While snaps were limited at Florida, the six-foot-five tight end flashed pass-catching ability and athletic traits that made him a highly regarded prospect, projecting as a mismatch weapon at the next stop.
- The “Fit” Factor: Reuniting with former quarterback DJ Lagway, Livingston enters a Baylor offense that can feature tight ends, giving him a more straightforward path to targets and a chance to unlock his playmaking potential in the Big 12.
8) South Carolina’s Homegrown Addition: Why DJ Black Could Emerge in the SEC
UCF → South Carolina

DJ Black’s return to his home state gives South Carolina a familiar, high-upside receiver looking to translate tools into consistent production at the SEC level.
- Elite Production: At UCF, Black totaled 273 receiving yards and two touchdowns, flashing size, body control, and a developing route tree that hints at more upside in an expanded role.
- The “Fit” Factor: A change of scenery closer to home sets Black up for a fresh opportunity in South Carolina’s receiver room, where his physical traits and versatility could carve out a meaningful role in the Gamecocks’ offense.
9) JMU’s New Signal-Caller: Why Davi Belfort Could Shake Up the Quarterback Room
UCF → JMU

Davi Belfort’s move to James Madison gives the Brazil native a fresh opportunity to compete for reps in a revamped QB room and prove his playmaking ability at the FCS level.
- Elite Production: Committed to UCF out of high school, Belfort struggled for playing time as a freshman, but his mobility, arm talent, and field vision show the traits of a quarterback capable of making an impact when given the chance.
- The “Fit” Factor: At JMU, Belfort enters a program looking to develop its signal-callers, offering him a clear path to meaningful snaps and the chance to reset his trajectory with a fresh start in 2026.
10) Kentucky’s New Playmaker: Why Shane Carr Could Make an Immediate Impact in the SEC
Southern Utah → Kentucky

Shane Carr arrives in Lexington off a career year, bringing big-play ability and proven production to a Wildcats receiving corps looking for explosive options.
- Elite Production: Over the last two seasons at Southern Utah, Carr totaled 1,371 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, including 744 yards in 2025, showcasing route precision, hands, and the ability to make defenders miss.
- The “Fit” Factor: Carr steps into an SEC offense where his speed and versatility can create matchup problems, giving Kentucky a dynamic weapon capable of contributing right away.
11) ETSU’s New Signal-Caller: Why Mason Mims Could Lead a Revamped Offense
Louisville → ETSU

Mason Mims’s transfer to ETSU gives the former Louisville backup the chance to run his own offense and showcase his skills as a starting quarterback.
- Elite Production: Committed to Louisville out of high school, Mims spent the season learning behind Miller Moss, developing his mechanics, decision-making, and understanding of high-level schemes.
- The “Fit” Factor: At ETSU, Mims steps into a program in need of a confident, experienced QB, offering him a fresh start to take control of the offense and make an immediate impact in 2026.
12) Kentucky’s Defensive Line Boost: Why Tyler Thomas Could Make an Immediate Impact
South Alabama → Kentucky

Tyler Thomas’s journey through the portal brings him to Kentucky, where the versatile defensive lineman looks to compete for a significant role in the Wildcats’ revamped front.
- Elite Production: After beginning his career at UAB, Thomas totaled 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles over the last two seasons at South Alabama, showing the ability to disrupt both the run and the pass.
- The “Fit” Factor: With Kentucky’s defense changing, Thomas brings experience, physicality, and depth to the line, providing a ready-to-contribute piece in the SEC trenches for 2026.
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1) Ole Miss’ Next Backfield Weapon: Why Makhi Frazier Is a Sneaky SEC Addition
Michigan State → Ole Miss

Makhi Frazier isn’t just leaving Michigan State for a new opportunity; he’s arriving in Oxford as a proven, physical runner ready to elevate an already dangerous Rebels offense.
- Elite Production: Frazier enjoyed a breakout season with the Spartans, totaling 520 rushing yards and two touchdowns while showcasing burst, vision, and the ability to handle SEC-level contact.
- The “Fit” Factor: Slotted behind Kewan Lacy, Frazier gives Ole Miss a dynamic change-of-pace option in the backfield, adding depth and versatility to a ground game built to thrive in the SEC.