The NCAA transfer portal has completely reshaped the way college football programs rebuild-especially for new head coaches. Gone are the days of slow, multi-year rebuilds.
Now, with nearly 3,000 players seeking new homes, the portal offers an accelerated path to competitiveness-if you know how to navigate it. It's a chaotic mix of long hours, endless film study, and constant roster reshuffling, but for programs that get it right, the payoff can be immediate.
Let’s take a closer look at how 12 of the 17 Power Four programs with new head coaches (from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC) are using the transfer portal to fast-track their rebuilds. The portal officially closed on Friday, and the rankings-compiled by 247 Sports-tell us who’s making the biggest moves.
LSU - Lane Kiffin
LSU landed one of the biggest names on the coaching carousel in Lane Kiffin, and they wasted no time making noise in the portal. With a clear commitment to spending big and rebuilding fast, the Tigers brought in a loaded class headlined by Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt-arguably the most sought-after signal-caller available.
But it wasn’t just Leavitt. LSU added 27 other transfers, forming the top-rated portal class in the country. Kiffin’s known for his offensive creativity, and now he’s got the tools to work with.
Intriguing pickup: Wide receiver Eugene “Tre” Wilson. When healthy at Florida, he showed flashes of being a game-changer. If he can stay on the field, he could be a big-time weapon in Baton Rouge.
Ole Miss - Pete Golding
With running back Kewan Lacy back in the fold, new head coach Pete Golding focused on adding experience and toughness-especially from within the SEC. He brought in plug-and-play starters like LSU offensive tackle Carius Curne, Auburn cornerback Jay Crawford, and Florida defensive tackle Michai Boireau.
This is a group built to compete right away, and Golding’s clearly trying to keep Ole Miss in the thick of the SEC race.
Intriguing pickup: Wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. The 6-foot-3 junior tallied 506 yards and five touchdowns at Syracuse last season. He brings size, experience, and red-zone potential.
Penn State - Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell didn’t just bring his playbook from Iowa State-he brought the roster, too. Nearly two dozen Cyclones followed him to Happy Valley, giving Penn State a solid foundation of players who already know the system.
Quarterback Rocco Becht, tight end Benjamin Brahmer, and wide receiver Chase Sowell headline the group. Campbell is clearly betting on familiarity to ease the transition.
Intriguing pickup: Defensive tackle Siale Taupaki, who’s entering his eighth collegiate season. He followed assistants D’Anton Lynn and Ikaika Malloe from UCLA, and his veteran presence could be a stabilizing force on the defensive front.
Oklahoma State - Eric Morris
No one hit the portal harder than Eric Morris. The new Cowboys head coach brought in nearly 50 transfers-yes, 50-including 15 from his former team at North Texas.
That group includes quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins, and wide receiver Wyatt Young. It’s a massive roster overhaul, and Morris is clearly going for volume and familiarity.
Intriguing pickup: Wide receiver Justin Bowick. At 6-foot-4, the senior brings size and experience after scoring five touchdowns last season at Illinois. He’s now on his fourth college team in four years, but if he finds chemistry in Stillwater, he could be a key piece.
Kentucky - Will Stein
Will Stein’s first order of business in Lexington? Fix the offensive line. He added Tennessee left tackle Lance Heard, Baylor center Coleton Price, and Ohio State guard Tegra Tshabola-three big bodies with big-program experience.
That trio should give former Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey the protection he needs to get comfortable quickly.
Intriguing pickup: Linebacker Elijah Barnes. He only played four games as a freshman at Texas but learned behind standout Anthony Hill Jr. The upside is real, and he could carve out a role fast.
Virginia Tech - James Franklin
James Franklin brought a piece of Penn State with him to Blacksburg-actually, more than a piece. Nearly a dozen players made the move, including tight end Luke Reynolds, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, linebacker Keon Wylie, and defensive end Mylachi Williams.
That kind of continuity could give Virginia Tech a head start in building chemistry on both sides of the ball.
Intriguing pickup: Wide receiver Que’Sean Brown. Over two seasons at Duke, he racked up 105 catches for 1,291 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s a proven playmaker who should help immediately.
Auburn - Alex Golesh
Yes, losing wideouts Cam Coleman (to Texas) and Eric Singleton (to Florida) hurts. But bringing in USF quarterback Byrum Brown-alongside new head coach Alex Golesh-could be a game-changer for a program that’s been desperate for stability under center.
Golesh knows how to build an offense, and Brown gives him a familiar face to do it with.
Intriguing pickup: Running back Bryson Washington. He ran for 788 yards and six touchdowns at Baylor in 2025. Paired with Jeremiah Cobb, Auburn might finally have a backfield that can take pressure off the QB.
Cal - Tosh Lupoi
Tosh Lupoi has long been known as a top-tier recruiter, and he’s already making his mark in Berkeley. He added weapons like Ohio wideout Chase Hendricks, Rutgers receiver Ian Strong, Washington running back Adam Mohammed, New Mexico tight end Dorian Thomas, and Oregon safety Kingston Lopa.
It’s a solid mix of skill and depth, and Lupoi is clearly trying to raise the talent floor quickly.
Intriguing pickup: Offensive tackle Mykeal Rabess from Florida International. At 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, he’s a project-but one with serious upside. If he can develop, he’ll be a key piece in protecting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
Michigan - Kyle Whittingham
Whittingham brought a handful of Utah players with him to Ann Arbor, including tight end JJ Buchanan, cornerback Smith Snowden, defensive end John Henry Daley, and defensive lineman Jonah Leaea. It’s a group that should bring toughness and familiarity to a program in transition.
Intriguing pickup: Running back Taylor Tatum. As a freshman at Oklahoma in 2024, he averaged nearly five yards per carry. With Justice Haynes gone, Tatum could be in line for a major role.
Florida - Jon Sumrall
Jon Sumrall’s biggest win? Convincing five key players to stay put. Running back Jadan Baugh, linebacker Myles Graham, defensive end Jayden Woods, and wide receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson all chose to stick around in Gainesville.
He also added some intriguing newcomers, including Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo and Auburn wideout Eric Singleton Jr.
Intriguing pickup: Edge rusher Emmanuel Oyebadejo. At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, he’s a former basketball player who had 6.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles at Jacksonville State in 2025. The raw athleticism is there-now it’s about refining the technique.
Arkansas - Ryan Silverfield
Silverfield went big in Fayetteville-literally and figuratively. Arkansas added an SEC-high 33 transfers, including offensive tackle Bryant Williams (Louisiana Lafayette), linebacker Khmori House (North Carolina), and cornerback Jahiem Johnson (Tulane).
It’s a full-blown roster reset, and Silverfield clearly isn’t wasting time.
Intriguing pickup: Offensive lineman Terence Roberson Jr. At 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds, he’s coming from Division II Ouachita Baptist, but the size and potential are there. He’ll be one to watch as he adjusts to SEC speed.
UCLA - Bob Chesney
Bob Chesney brought 10 players with him from James Madison, and that familiarity could pay dividends. Defensive end Sahir West leads the way after posting 14 tackles for loss in 2025. Oklahoma linebacker Sammy Omosigho and Florida receiver Aidan Mizell round out a strong group of additions.
Intriguing pickup: Safety Tao Johnson. A three-year starter at Utah, Johnson brings experience, leadership, and a steady presence to the Bruins’ secondary.
The transfer portal continues to be a game-changer in college football-and for these new head coaches, it’s become the fastest way to flip a roster and build a contender. The programs that adapt the quickest and build the right blend of talent, chemistry, and culture will be the ones making noise come fall.