NCAAF · 11 hours ago

College Football Transfer Portal Day 8: Thursday’s Top 12 Moves

John Canady

Host · Writer

12) Committed: OT Josh Atkins, Arizona State -> Missouri
Josh Atkins became one of the most reliable offensive linemen available in the transfer portal after opting to depart from Arizona State one season after being named a team captain. The stout lineman will have one year of eligibility remaining, and with that, he joins Missouri with the chance to suit up in the SEC.

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1) Returning: Demond Williams Jr., Washington
Demond Williams Jr.'s entry to the portal was one of the most interesting stories of the last week. Following a breakout season at Washington totaling 31 touchdowns (25 passing, six rushing) and only eight interceptions, the Huskies were set to make the dual-threat QB one of the highest-paid players in the nation, signing him to a contract to return for the 2026 season just last week. After Williams decided to enter the portal and sign a contract, Washington prepared to take legal action, which eventually led to the QB's agent dropping him. Now, he's officially chosen to withdraw his name and honor the contract he originally signed.

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2) Committed: OT Jacarrius Peak, NC State -> South Carolina
Jaccarius Peak became not only one of the top offensive linemen in the transfer portal, but one of the top players available in the nation after entering his name in the transfer portal. The versatile lineman has emerged as a star at NC State, and he has proven to be a significant priority for several contending teams. However, in the end, Shane Beamer's desire to rebuild his offensive line in South Carolina allowed for the Gamecocks to open up the checkbook and land one of the premier tackles to protect LaNorris Sellers's blind side.
3) Committed: EDGE John Henry Daley, Utah -> Michigan
John Henry Daley landed in the portal as arguably the best edge rusher on the market after announcing his decision to depart from Utah, where he totaled 48 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass defense. The Utah native began his career at BYU and, after three seasons suiting up in his home state, Daley entered the transfer portal following the departure of former head coach Kyle Whittingham and now follows him to Michigan to bolster the Wolverines defensive line.
4) Committed: QB DJ Lagway, Florida -> Baylor
DJ Lagway was one of the first significant additions to the transfer portal after announcing his intent to seek a fresh start following another underwhelming season at Florida. The former five-star recruit seemed committed to the Gators, even after the departure of head coach Billy Napier, but plans have changed following the team's season. The Texas native took visits to several contending programs, but the chance to suit up close to home for his father's former team, Baylor, was too good to pass up.
5) Entered: WR Isaiah Horton, Alabama
Isaiah Horton began his career at Miami, where he spent three seasons before transferring to Alabama. In his lone season with the Crimson Tide, the six-foot-four wideout impressed, reeling in 42 receptions for 511 yards and eight touchdowns. Still, hoping to find the opportunity to put his skillset on full display, the pass catcher entered his name back in the transfer portal. Expect Horton to have a robust market filled with multiple contenders.
6) Entered: DB Brandyn Hillman, Michigan
Brandyn Hillman committed initially to Michigan as a top recruit out of high school, where he spent the last three seasons developing into a reliable playmaker in the Wolverines' secondary. Following a breakout year totaling 49 tackles, three pass defenses, a forced fumble, and an interception, Hillman earned All-Big Ten honors. After entering his name, Hillman will have several teams interested in his services on the open market.
7) Entered: OL Ty Haywood, Michigan
Ty Haywood joins a wave of Michigan players entering the transfer portal after a hectic offseason marked by significant turnover within the coaching staff. The former top recruit has the versatility and strength to be an immediate impact player on nearly any offensive line in the nation, and his market in the transfer portal will likely reflect that.
8) Committed: EDGE Tyler Thompson, North Carolina -> Louisville
Tyler Thompson proved to be an impactful pass rusher this past season at North Carolina. The six-foot-four edge rusher finished the year with 26 tackles, eight tackles for loss, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. Thompson now lands back in the ACC with a top contender joining Louisville ahead of the 2026 season.
9) Committed: DL Xavier Gilliam, Penn State -> Tennessee
Xavier Gilliam was one of several big names to enter the transfer portal out of Penn State following the departure of head coach James Franklin. In his first season seeing the field, the redshirt freshman racked up 16 total tackles, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks. Heading to Tennessee, the defensive lineman will have the chance to prove how impactful he can be against SEC competition.
10) Committed: WR Chase Hendricks, Ohio -> California
Chase Hendricks has spent the last three seasons at Ohio, where he's developed into a reliable pass catcher for the Bobcats. Coming off a breakout season, where he reeled in 71 receptions for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns, the six-foot wideout opted to seek a sizable role with a top program. Hendricks will get that opportunity at California, where he'll immediately be a top option in the Golden Bears' offense.
11) Committed: LB Keon Wylie, Penn State -> Virginia Tech
Keon Wylie committed to Penn State as a highly recruited prospect out of high school. In three seasons with the Nittany Lions, the Pennsylvania product has shown flashes of why he was a top recruit. Fresh off his best season at PSU, racking up 28 tackles, one sack, and a pass defense, Wylie hit the portal hoping to find a role elsewhere as the head coach carousel around the nation continued to lead talented players to the portal. Now, the linebacker re-commits to his former head coach, James Franklin, at Virginia Tech.
12) Committed: OT Josh Atkins, Arizona State -> Missouri
Josh Atkins became one of the most reliable offensive linemen available in the transfer portal after opting to depart from Arizona State one season after being named a team captain. The stout lineman will have one year of eligibility remaining, and with that, he joins Missouri with the chance to suit up in the SEC.

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1) Returning: Demond Williams Jr., Washington
Demond Williams Jr.'s entry to the portal was one of the most interesting stories of the last week. Following a breakout season at Washington totaling 31 touchdowns (25 passing, six rushing) and only eight interceptions, the Huskies were set to make the dual-threat QB one of the highest-paid players in the nation, signing him to a contract to return for the 2026 season just last week. After Williams decided to enter the portal and sign a contract, Washington prepared to take legal action, which eventually led to the QB's agent dropping him. Now, he's officially chosen to withdraw his name and honor the contract he originally signed.

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