The 2026 college football transfer portal was packed with talent, but one name stood out above the rest: Cam Coleman. The former Auburn standout and now Texas Longhorn wide receiver headlines On3’s list of the most impactful transfers heading into the new season - and for good reason.
Let’s take a look at the full top 10:
On3's Most Impactful Transfers of 2026:
- WR Cam Coleman - Auburn to Texas
- QB Sam Leavitt - Arizona State to LSU
- DE Damon Wilson II - Missouri to Miami
- OT Jacarrius Peak - NC State to South Carolina
- DE John Henry Daley - Utah to Michigan
- QB Byrum Brown - South Florida to Auburn
- QB Josh Hoover - TCU to Indiana
- QB Brendan Sorsby - Cincinnati to Texas Tech
- QB Darian Mensah - Duke to Miami
- OT Jordan Seaton - Colorado to LSU
Right at the top, Cam Coleman’s move to Texas has fans buzzing - and not just in Austin. The Longhorns are coming off a strong campaign, and adding a dynamic playmaker like Coleman to the mix could be the spark that takes their passing game to the next level.
Coleman brings a rare blend of size, speed, and polish. He’s the type of receiver who can stretch the field vertically, win contested catches, and force defensive coordinators to adjust their entire game plan.
That’s not hyperbole - that’s what happens when you add a former 5-star recruit who was also rated a 5-star transfer. Those kinds of players don’t just plug holes - they reshape offenses.
And with Arch Manning entering a pivotal year at quarterback, this pairing could be lethal. Manning has the arm talent to push the ball downfield, and Coleman has the ability to consistently win on the outside. If the chemistry clicks, Texas could be looking at one of the most explosive QB-WR duos in the country.
But Coleman isn’t the only name worth circling on this list.
Sam Leavitt to LSU at No. 2 is a move that could shift the SEC landscape. Leavitt showed flashes at Arizona State, and now he steps into a Tigers program hungry to return to national relevance. If he settles in quickly and finds rhythm in Baton Rouge, LSU could be back in the thick of the SEC West race.
Byrum Brown to Auburn at No. 6 is another storyline to watch. Auburn’s been searching for stability under center, and Brown might be the answer.
He’s a dual-threat quarterback who can keep defenses honest with both his arm and legs. If he lives up to his potential, this could be Auburn’s best quarterback play in years.
Defensively, Damon Wilson II and John Henry Daley both land in the top five, and rightfully so. Wilson brings elite edge-rushing ability to Miami’s front seven, while Daley adds serious punch to Michigan’s pass rush. Both have the potential to be game-wreckers in their new systems.
And don’t sleep on the offensive linemen on this list either. Jacarrius Peak and Jordan Seaton are massive additions - literally and figuratively - for South Carolina and LSU, respectively. In today’s game, where protecting the quarterback is paramount, these two could be foundational pieces for their teams.
Back to Coleman: there’s a lot of intrigue around how Steve Sarkisian will use him. Will he be locked in as the “X” receiver on the outside, or will Sark move him around the formation to create mismatches and exploit coverages? Either way, expect Coleman to be a focal point of the offense from Day 1.
Bottom line: this year’s transfer class is stacked with talent that could shift the balance of power across multiple conferences. But if Cam Coleman delivers on the hype, Texas might have just landed the most game-changing piece of them all.