College football’s offseason used to be a time for rest and reflection. Not anymore.
With the rise of NIL deals and the ever-expanding influence of the transfer portal, December and January have become just as critical for roster construction as any Saturday in the fall. And this year, the stakes are even higher.
The Portal Window: One Shot, Two Weeks
Mark your calendars: the transfer portal officially opens on January 2 and closes January 16. That’s a tight 14-day window, and here's the twist-there’s only one window this time around.
Unlike in past years where multiple entry points gave players and programs more flexibility, this year’s single opening adds pressure and urgency. Coaches have to be decisive.
Players have to be strategic. And fans?
Buckle up-this is going to move fast.
Programs are taking different approaches to this new era. On one end, you’ve got Deion Sanders at Colorado, treating the portal like a talent buffet-aggressively reshaping his roster with transfers.
On the other, Dabo Swinney at Clemson continues to lean heavily on traditional recruiting and player development, resisting the portal's allure. Most programs fall somewhere in between, but the message is clear: if you're not adapting, you're falling behind.
The Headliners: Five-Star Shockwaves
The biggest portal surprises so far? Two five-star quarterbacks who were once seen as building blocks for their programs-now on the move.
- DJ Lagway, once the crown jewel of Florida’s recruiting class, is leaving Gainesville following the firing of head coach Billy Napier. That decision sent ripples across the SEC and beyond.
Lagway was expected to be the future for the Gators. Now, he’s starting fresh somewhere else.
- Dylan Raiola, a Nebraska legacy and one-time Georgia commit, is also hitting the portal. After flipping to Nebraska and playing under Matt Rhule, Raiola’s decision to leave-despite Rhule’s contract extension-raises eyebrows. This is a player with NFL-level tools, and now he’s back on the market.
These are not just big names-they’re potential program-changers. And their availability turns the portal into a high-stakes bidding war (NIL included).
The Four-Star Pool: Depth and Versatility
While the five-stars grab headlines, the four-star group is where most of the action is. These are players with proven upside, often stuck behind depth charts or looking for a better system fit. Every Power 4 conference is represented here, plus one name from the American.
Quarterbacks
- Aiden Chiles (Michigan State)
- Jadyn Davis (Michigan)
- Colin Hurley (LSU)
- Jake Merklinger (Tennessee)
Each of these QBs brings something different to the table-Chiles has mobility, Davis is a polished passer, and Hurley and Merklinger have strong arms and high ceilings.
Running Backs
- Kam Davis (Florida State)
- KD Daniels (Florida)
Davis and Daniels are both explosive backs who could thrive in the right offensive scheme.
Wide Receivers
- NY Carr (Miami)
- Micah Mays (Wake Forest)
- Zion Fowler-El (Pitt)
- Jayce Brown (Kansas State)
- Tank Hawkins (Florida)
- Joshua Manning (Missouri)
- Aidan Mizell (Florida)
This group is loaded with speed and versatility. Expect several of these names to make an immediate impact wherever they land.
Tight End
- Walker Lyons (USC)
Lyons is a big-body target with soft hands-ideal for a team looking to bolster its red-zone options.
Offensive Line
- Carius Curne (LSU)
Interior linemen with SEC experience don’t last long in the portal. Curne should have plenty of suitors.
Defensive Line
- Jayden Williams (North Texas)
- Neeo Avery (Maryland)
- Jeheim Oatis (Colorado)
- Javion Hilson (Missouri)
Edge rushers and interior disruptors alike-this group brings power and potential to any D-line room.
Linebackers
- Melvin Jordan IV (Georgia Tech)
- Liona Lefau (Texas)
Both are athletic, rangy linebackers who can cover ground and make plays in space.
Cornerbacks
- Christian Peterson (UCF)
- Conrad Hussey (Oregon State)
Peterson and Hussey have the tools to be plug-and-play starters in the right secondary.
Three-Star Depth: Hidden Gems Across the Map
The three-star group may not come with the same hype, but don’t sleep on this tier. These players often turn into key contributors-or even stars-with the right development and opportunity. This class includes names from every Power 4 conference, plus representation from Conference USA, the Mountain West, the Pac-12, and one Independent.
Quarterbacks
- Aaron Philo (Georgia Tech)
- Khristian Martin (Maryland)
- Zane Flores (Oklahoma State)
- Dexter Williams (Kennesaw State)
- Stone Saunders (Kentucky)
Each of these quarterbacks has flashed potential. Expect at least one to find a system that unlocks their next level.
Wide Receivers
- Cameron Abshire (Oklahoma State)
- Tony Freeman (Washington State)
- Preston Bowman (Kentucky)
Solid route-runners with upside-especially in pass-heavy systems.
Tight End
- Josh Ford (Oklahoma State)
A developmental piece with upside as a blocker and pass-catcher.
Offensive Line
- Kai Wheeler (New Mexico)
- Marcus Mascoll (Florida)
- Misael Sandoval (Vanderbilt)
O-line depth is always in demand, and these players bring experience and size to the table.
Defensive Line
- Justin Terrell (NC State)
A rotational player with the potential to grow into a bigger role.
Linebacker
- Omar Graham (Florida State)
Graham has the athleticism to contribute on special teams and grow into a key defensive piece.
Safeties
- TJ Branch (Colorado)
A rangy safety who could fit into multiple defensive schemes.
Cornerbacks
- Leroy Bryant (Washington)
- Ormaine Arnold (Cincinnati)
- Chance Tucker (Notre Dame)
Three cornerbacks with solid coverage skills and room to develop-valuable commodities in today’s pass-heavy game.
What’s Next?
The portal doesn’t officially open until January 2, and due to NCAA regulations, don’t expect much movement until then. But once that window opens, it’s going to be a two-week sprint.
Coaching staffs are already working the phones, lining up visits, and evaluating tape. For fans, this is the new frontier of college football-free agency meets recruiting, all condensed into a 14-day window.
So get ready. The portal is about to light up.