Top 10 College Football Transfers of 2025 (So Far)

  • September 12, 2025

  • Max OlsonSep 12, 2025, 07:25 AM ET

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    • Covers the Big 12
    • Joined ESPN in 2012
    • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Collegiate gridiron squads are investing unprecedented sums in their player lineups as they gear up for the 2025 season. During the transfer portal periods in December and April, certain institutions heavily invested in lucrative arrangements, some reaching six or seven figures, with athletes accessible via the transfer portal, anticipating that these players could significantly alter their team’s performance.

As Week 3 approaches, the benefits of these investments are becoming increasingly apparent. The national statistical leaders in categories such as total offense, rushing, receiving, tackles, and sacks are heavily populated by transfer newcomers who are not only starting but also prospering at their respective new institutions.

Below is a list evaluating the 10 most impactful transfer portal additions thus far in the season and details on how they arrived at their present teams.

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The anticipation surrounding Mateer’s entry into the 2025 season was almost excessive. The comparisons to Baker Mayfield began as soon as the Sooners initiated their recruitment efforts. He, alongside his offensive strategist Ben Arbuckle, joined from Washington State, where they had established a top-tier scoring offense in 2024. Their mission was to promptly rejuvenate an Oklahoma offense that was at its nadir since 1998 and revolutionize the Sooners’ prospects in the SEC.

After just two games, it appears they are on track to achieve this.

Oklahoma’s 24-13 victory over No. 15 Michigan this past Saturday wasn’t without its imperfections, but it did highlight the abilities of the Sooners’ new quarterback and his knack for creating spectacular plays. Mateer passed for 270 yards, ran for 74, scored three touchdowns, and provided numerous highlight-worthy moments with his dynamic play.

“He is now an electrifying quarterback,” commented Michigan’s coach, Sherrone Moore. “He possesses a gunslinger mentality.”

Mateer currently holds the sixth position in total offense with 760 yards and seven touchdowns, boasts the fifth-highest number of completions of 20-plus yards (12) in the FBS, and has rapidly ascended to the second-best Heisman odds (+900), according to ESPN BET. His development is evident on a weekly basis. Mateer’s passing accuracy from within the pocket has improved to 77% this season, according to ESPN Research, a notable increase from 68% in the previous season. His ability to evade pressure and improvise is particularly captivating.

Mateer was rightfully ranked No. 1 in our evaluation of the top 100 transfers in college football. The redshirt junior has the capacity to significantly impact an Oklahoma program aiming to recover from a 6-7 season in 2024. Despite facing a challenging schedule with all eight of their SEC opponents currently ranked, Mateer inspires optimism that this team can contend for the SEC title.

Castellanos made bold pronouncements during the summer regarding the Seminoles’ opening game of the season against Alabama. “They lack Nick Saban’s guidance to rescue them,” he remarked to On3. “I don’t foresee them being able to contain me.” As it turned out, his prediction was accurate.

The agile 5-foot-11 senior demonstrated remarkable composure during the stunning 31-17 victory over then-No. 8 Alabama, amassing 152 passing yards, 86 rushing yards (excluding a sack), and one rushing touchdown, thereby fueling an upset that was largely unforeseen.

Just nine months after being benched at Boston College and subsequently leaving the team in mid-November, Castellanos’ circumstances have dramatically improved. He escaped an unfavorable situation under coach Bill O’Brien at BC by reuniting with his former UCF coach Gus Malzahn, who is now the offensive coordinator in Tallahassee. Castellanos has injected a vital sense of confidence into a team aiming to recover from what was arguably the program’s worst season in history. This explains his bold statements about Alabama during the summer; he sought to reignite belief in his teammates after a dismal 2-10 season.

Castellanos skillfully implemented Malzahn’s run-focused strategy against the Crimson Tide defense, avoided turnovers, and orchestrated a crucial 75-yard touchdown drive after the Tide reduced the deficit to a single score in the fourth quarter. While numerous newcomers made significant contributions for Florida State, none were as impactful as their quarterback.

Castellanos followed this performance with exceptional efficiency against East Texas A&M in Week 2, passing for 237 yards and three touchdowns on 8-of-11 attempts in limited action during a 77-3 rout. He currently holds the seventh position in FBS in terms of QBR (88.9). In his postgame interview on ESPN after defeating Bama, amidst a throng of Seminoles fans storming the field, Castellanos expressed his appreciation for his current position.

“They had many choices in the portal,” he stated. “They selected me. They had faith in me. I am simply grateful to be here.”

Arnold was in dire need of a fresh start and a clean slate following his initial season as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback. He played in an offense that was severely hampered by injuries to its top receivers, dismissed its offensive coordinator after seven games, and surrendered an FBS-leading 50 sacks. He was benched during his inaugural SEC start, served as a backup for a month, and was then reinstated as the starter. Under such challenging circumstances, it would be exceedingly difficult for any quarterback to develop confidence and maintain consistency.

When it became evident that Oklahoma was hiring Arbuckle and targeting Mateer, Arnold entered the transfer portal and quickly seized the opportunity to play for Hugh Freeze at Auburn.

“I am incredibly grateful to Coach Freeze for bringing me in and for believing in me when others did not,” Arnold stated recently.

Freeze has entrusted Arnold with the reins of his offense, and Arnold is demonstrating his valuable adaptability and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses. His career-high 137 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns propelled the Tigers to a 38-24 road victory over Baylor. He effectively integrated his talented receivers into the offense during a 42-3 win against Ball State in Week 2, completing 24 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Arnold currently ranks eighth in QBR (87.5), has forced the most missed tackles (13) among Power 4 quarterbacks, and has not committed a turnover in two games. Next week, he will return to Norman for a highly anticipated showdown with the Sooners to commence SEC play.

Beck’s transfer from Georgia to Miami in January was a mutually beneficial decision. The Hurricanes acquired a skilled passer and a proven two-year starter to succeed NFL draft No. 1 pick Cam Ward. Beck received a fresh opportunity after a mixed junior season at Georgia, allowing him to regain first-round prospect status following an elbow injury, and he remains one of the highest-compensated players in college football.

However, it is important not to underestimate Beck’s ambitions beyond personal achievements. He joined Miami with the aim of achieving significant victories, elevating his teammates, and guiding the program to the College Football Playoff. Thus far, he has fulfilled every need of the Hurricanes.

Beck is healthy, highly motivated, and performing at his peak. He has passed for 472 yards with a 78% completion rate (sixth-best in FBS), four touchdowns, zero turnovers, and the fifth-best QBR (89.3) in the country through two games.

The high-stakes experience Beck gained at Georgia was evident against No. 6 Notre Dame in the season opener, as he orchestrated a go-ahead drive in the closing minutes and secured his sixth victory over a top-10 opponent. He began a decisive win over Bethune-Cookman with a school-record 15 consecutive completions, improving his record as a starter to 26-3.

Numerous challenges lie ahead for the No. 5-ranked Hurricanes, but their new quarterback has already impressed coach Mario Cristobal.

“He is continuously improving,” Cristobal remarked. “Each practice, each week, there is consistent growth and development, and a growing desire for further advancement. He is determined to improve, to help Miami improve, and to lead Miami to victory. He is completely dedicated to the team.”

Coach Eli Drinkwitz had a selection of experienced starting quarterbacks to choose from during the December transfer portal window, but he and his staff prioritized the relatively inexperienced Pribula. The redshirt junior had no previous career starts, having spent the past two seasons as Drew Allar’s backup at Penn State. He had to earn the starting position during fall camp and demonstrate his readiness to lead the Missouri team.

Thus far, he certainly appears prepared. Pribula had a career-best performance against Kansas on Saturday, passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-31 comeback victory. Trailing by three in the fourth quarter, Pribula orchestrated a 12-play, 75-yard drive with two fourth-down conversions, connecting with Brett Norfleet for a 27-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-1 to take the lead.

Last season, Pribula was effective in run packages within Andy Kotelnicki’s Penn State offense, gaining 242 yards at an average of 6.4 yards per carry. While he continues to make plays with his legs, rushing for 65 yards in his debut against Central Arkansas, he is now finally given the opportunity to display his passing capabilities, boasting the SEC’s best completion percentage at 79.1%.

He is playing with considerable confidence, and the Tigers have successfully augmented their roster with quality playmakers via the portal, including running back Ahmad Hardy (UL Monroe), the SEC’s second-leading rusher, and top receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (Mississippi State).

Haynes, a highly-rated recruit, spent two seasons at Alabama but struggled to establish himself as a primary back, sharing carries with Jam Miller and others in a rushing attack that relied heavily on quarterback Jalen Milroe. He only had double-digit carries in one of his 25 career games with the Crimson Tide.

He has had an explosive start in his first two games at Michigan, rushing for 284 yards and four touchdowns at an average of 8.1 yards per carry. In his season debut, he recorded a career-high 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns against New Mexico, a performance that Michigan coach Sherrone Moore described as “pretty electric.”

Haynes followed this with a career-best 19 carries against Oklahoma, burning the Sooners with a 75-yard breakaway run on the opening play of the second half.

Haynes currently ranks as the fourth-leading rusher in FBS and leads all backs with three carries of 50 or more yards this season.

Delane could have turned professional after his junior season at Virginia Tech and would currently be on an NFL roster. LSU coach Brian Kelly stated that Delane had the highest draft grade of any cornerback available in the portal this offseason.

However, he bet on himself, believing that another strong season on a larger platform could significantly enhance his draft stock. LSU made Delane a top priority in their pursuit to assemble the best portal class in the country. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker pointed out how his defense had helped Ennis Rakestraw Jr. become a second-round pick and Kris Abrams-Draine become an All-American at Missouri in 2023. For Delane, the decision was straightforward.

“I looked at the schedule, I considered the platform, and it didn’t require much persuasion,” Delane stated. “I simply needed an opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities to the world.”

Delane significantly increased his value with his Week 1 debut against Clemson, earning a game ball and Bednarik Player of the Week honors. The third-year starter allowed two receptions on 10 targets, broke up two passes, and intercepted Cade Klubnik in the third quarter in a 17-10 road victory. Delane excelled in press-man coverage and effectively contained Clemson receiver T.J. Moore in the second half. While Delane may not possess the exceptional size of LSU’s 6-foot-5 freshman phenom DJ Pickett, his experience was evident in a high-stakes contest.

“This is not the ultimate objective,” Delane told his new teammates in the locker room after receiving his game ball. “The goal is the national championship.”

Lacy chose Missouri over Ole Miss and Alabama in December 2023. As a freshman, he ranked fourth among Missouri’s running backs in carries, with 23 attempts for 104 yards. Drinkwitz intended to give Lacy more carries in November and did play him in six games, but a significant role never materialized.

Lacy entered the transfer portal on Dec. 16 and signed with Ole Miss on the same day.

“In the current environment, with the two [transfer] windows and the overall structure, there may be instances where finishing second in recruitment is advantageous,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin commented. “Another program pays them in Year 1, they don’t play as much, and then they transfer to you in Year 2. It’s simply part of the system we operate in.”

Lacy was precisely what the Rebels required. As the SEC’s leading rusher, he has amassed 246 rushing yards and four touchdowns with consecutive 100-yard games, and his 21 forced missed tackles rank third among FBS backs, according to ESPN Research. He turned a career-high 28 carries into 138 yards to secure a victory against Kentucky on Saturday.

Kiffin admires Lacy’s combination of physical running, exceptional agility, and speed, which he felt his team lacked in 2024. He is a 210-pound back who reached a peak speed of 21 mph on his 42-yard rushing touchdown against Georgia State, according to data from Teamworks.

The Aggies made a significant addition at wide receiver this offseason with the arrival of NC State transfer KC Concepcion, but Craver’s immediate impact in College Station should not be overlooked.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound playmaker showcased his potential as a true freshman at Mississippi State last season with 225 receiving yards on just 11 catches over his first four games against SEC defenses, including a touchdown against Texas A&M. Craver missed most of the second half of the season due to injury and suspension, but his early performances were enough to make him a coveted prospect among SEC personnel departments.

“If you were to ask any of our cornerbacks, they would say he was the most difficult receiver to cover last year,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko stated this spring.

Craver has provided instant offense for Texas A&M through two games, totaling 236 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions with consecutive 100-yard performances. The slot receiver leads all Power 4 wideouts with 138 yards after catch, per ESPN Research, and ranks second in the SEC in receiving. Concepcion has also excelled early, with three receiving touchdowns and a punt return touchdown.

Addressing the wide receiver position group was a priority for Texas A&M in 2025, and they have been successful with both acquisitions. This improvement is expected to be evident on Saturday night against Notre Dame. Last season, A&M’s wide receivers combined for 69 receiving yards against the Fighting Irish. The Aggies now have game-changing players at the position.

Lubin has worked diligently to reach his current level and is proving his ability to compete with the best. He began his career at Army in 2022 but felt it wasn’t the right fit and transferred to Iowa Western Community College, where he recorded 23.5 tackles for loss and earned NJCAA All-American honors. Last season, he was a first-team All-Sun Belt performer at Coastal Carolina with 9.5 sacks and the best pressure rate (17.2%) among all defenders in the conference, according to ESPN Research.

During Lubin’s portal recruitment, there were concerns about his size, but the 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher plays with a high motor and relentless effort, which Louisville co-DC and defensive line coach Mark Hagen compared to the Energizer Bunny during fall camp. He has had another disruptive start in his first two games with the Cardinals. Lubin is currently tied for second in FBS with 3.5 sacks and made a game-changing play last week against James Madison.

Early in the fourth quarter of a 14-14 game, Lubin easily won his matchup on a third-and-10 play and sacked James Madison QB Alonza Barnett III in the end zone, forcing a fumble that the Cardinals recovered to take the lead in an eventual victory.

Lubin is generating pressure on 23% of his edge rushes this season, according to ESPN Research. His track record suggests he will continue to adapt and disrupt as the Cardinals enter ACC play.

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