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College football 2025: 25 impactful transfers to keep an eye on
Nathan Ray Seebeck/IMAGN

College football 2025: 25 impactful transfers to keep an eye on

More different experienced faces in new places for 2025. The college football transfer portal might be out of control, but it's intriguing nonetheless. Here are 25 potential stars of the 2025 portal. Listed in alphabetical order.

 
1 of 25

Nic Anderson, Wide Receiver, LSU (Jr.)

Nic Anderson, Wide Receiver, LSU (Jr.)
LSU Athletics

Among the best receivers in the transfer portal. However, the key to Anderson's success at LSU will be staying healthy. And already that is in question after he was in a car accident from July. All signs point to Anderson, who's only serious college action came in 2023 for Oklahoma, when he caught 38 passes for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns, being a key option for Tigers star Garrett Nussmeier. As long as he's on the field. 

 
2 of 25

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (Sr.)

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (Sr.)
Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the most disruptive defensive players in the country, Bailey could end up being the best defensive player in the Big 12. In three seasons at Stanford, Bailey recorded 14 1/2 sacks and 22 1/2 tackles for loss. The Red Raiders might not be in the hunt for the College Football Playoff, but they do have one of the best in the business with Bailey.

 
3 of 25

Carson Beck, Quarterback, Miami (Sr.)

Carson Beck, Quarterback, Miami (Sr.)
Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images

Healthy, Beck will be slinging it for the No. 10 Hurricanes this season after winning two national championships with Georgia. In 35 career games spanning four seasons with the Bulldogs, Beck threw for more than 7,900 yards with 58 touchdowns. He's perhaps the highest profiled transfer for 2025, and his experience as a winner and leader gives Miami a serious shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

 
4 of 25

Zachariah Branch, All-Purpose, Georgia (Jr.)

Zachariah Branch, All-Purpose, Georgia (Jr.)
Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Georgia has a potentially elite playmaker when Branch transferred from USC. Whether catching the ball, running with it, or returning punts, Branch's lightning quickness will be on display in 2025. In two seasons with the Trojans, Branch caught 78 passes for 823 yards with three touchdowns. He returned 29 punts for 406 yards with a touchdown, and also returned 29 kickoffs for 547 yards and one score.

 
5 of 25

KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M (Jr.)

KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M (Jr.)
Tim Warner/Getty Images for ONIT

The Aggies got a potential star in Concepcion, who recorded 124 catches for 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns during his two seasons at North Carolina State. Though Concepcion was more productive two seasons ago as a freshman, the Wolfpack offense regressed a year ago. Perhaps the new surroundings, being a reliable option for growing quarterback Marcel Reed, will see Concepcion consistently produce again.

 
6 of 25

Malachi Fields, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame (Sr.)

Malachi Fields, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame (Sr.)
MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The question regarding Notre Dame's quarterback lingered, but Fields could wind up being the best of a solid lot of Irish receivers. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fields caught 113 passes for 1,619 yards with 10 touchdowns during his last two seasons at Virginia. Notre Dame is again filled with plenty of elite talent on both sides of the ball, but Fields is a name to remember. 

 
7 of 25

Mark Gronowski, Quarterback, Iowa (Sr.)

Mark Gronowski, Quarterback, Iowa (Sr.)
Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iowa might finally have a star quarterback in Gronowski. Of course, he won't be around for too long. Among the most successful active quarterbacks in Division I, Gronowski threw for 10,309 yards with 93 touchdowns and rushed for another 37 scores during four seasons at South Dakota State, which he led to two FCS national titles.

 
8 of 25

A.J. Haulcy, Defensive Back, LSU (Sr.)

A.J. Haulcy, Defensive Back, LSU (Sr.)
Ella Hall/LSU/University Images via Getty Images

Haulcy is on his third school after enjoying success at New Mexico and Houston. With the Cougars in 2024, Haulcy intercepted five passes and broke up eight passes to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. That instinct is what makes Haulcy a special safety and one who has the talent to be among the best in the SEC. Which is saying a lot.

 
9 of 25

Will Heldt, Defensive Lineman, Clemson (Jr.)

Will Heldt, Defensive Lineman, Clemson (Jr.)
Ken Ruinard/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Clemson already had a stacked defensive front with T.J. Parker and Peter Woods back in the mix, and adding the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Heldt only adds to the wealth. Last season for Purdue, Heldt had five sacks and ranked fourth on the team with 56 total tackles, including 10 for loss. Now, with all that defensive line talent, it will be interesting to see if Heldt can hold his own. 

 
10 of 25

Makhi Hughes, Running Back, Oregon (Jr.)

Makhi Hughes, Running Back, Oregon (Jr.)
Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire

The Ducks made a big splash (pun totally intended) in the transfer portal for 2025, and Hughes could end up being the biggest get of the haul. In his previous two seasons at Tulane, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound back totaled 2,779 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. While the competition will get tougher in the confines of the Big Ten, it will be interesting to see how the talented Hughes stacks up against some of the nation's best defenses.

 
11 of 25

Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback, UCLA (Soph.)

Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback, UCLA (Soph.)
Lucas Peltier/Imagn Images

There's a buzz in Westwood with former Tennessee quarterback Iamaleava in town. The versatile Iamaleava threw for more than 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns while helping the Vols reach the College Football Playoff last season. UCLA doesn't have the overall talent to compete on that level, but a victory of this magnitude to open the Iamaleava Era would be huge.

 
12 of 25

Max Klare, Tight End, Ohio State (Jr.)

Max Klare, Tight End, Ohio State (Jr.)
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The rich keep getting richer when it comes to offensive talent. Klare arrived from Purdue, where in two seasons he caught 73 passes for 881 yards and four touchdowns. Klare is expected to be a key contributor in 2025 and made the watch list for the Mackey Award. However, it will be interesting to see how Klare is used with Heisman Trophy-contending sophomore Jeremiah Smith and budding star Carnell Tate in the mix.

 
13 of 25

Dane Key, Wide Receiver, Nebraska (Sr.)

Dane Key, Wide Receiver, Nebraska (Sr.)
David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The hope is that quarterback Dylan Raiola is a year wiser and more seasoned. Adding a stud receiver like Key should only help the sophomore signal-caller. In his three seasons at Kentucky, Key caught 126 passes for 1,870 yards with 14 touchdowns. While it's uncertain how much the Cornhuskers will improve from last season's 7-6 mark, watching Raiola and Key pitch and catch should be fun.

 
14 of 25

John Mateer, Quarterback, Oklahoma (Sr.)

John Mateer, Quarterback, Oklahoma (Sr.)
Sarah Phipps/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After Carson Beck, there might not be a bigger portal quarterback get than Mateer joining Oklahoma. The Sooners are in need of a stable, consistently good signal caller. Mateer, who threw for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns, against seven interceptions, and also ran for 826 yards with 15 touchdowns for Washington State last season, could answer. Of course, Mateer opens the season linked to a sports gambling controversy that is heating up the internet. Of course, Mateer denies any involvement. 

 
15 of 25

Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana (Jr.)

Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana (Jr.)
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana was the biggest surprise in college football last season by reaching the College Football Playoff. A big reason for that run was transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Looking to sustain that level of success, the Hoosiers might have an even better talent under center in Mendoza. In 12 games spanning two seasons for a middling California program, Mendoza completed 66.5 percent of his passes. Last season, he threw for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He'll have more talent to play with in 2025, and expectations will be much higher. 

 
16 of 25

Darian Mensah, Quarterback, Duke (So.)

Darian Mensah, Quarterback, Duke (So.)
Matt Kelley/Getty Images

The ex-Tulane quarterback and NIL legend, Mensah (2,723 passing yards, 22 touchdowns in 2024) offers a jolt to the collective confidence of the Blue Devils in 2025. Now, that does not mean they will seriously contend for the ACC title, but Mensah will certainly be worth watching. Especially when Duke visits his former squad at Tulane on Sept. 13.

 
17 of 25

Elo Modozie, EDGE, Georgia (Jr.)

Elo Modozie, EDGE, Georgia (Jr.)
Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's not too often a player leaves the service academies for another program. Even the caliber of Georgia. However, the Bulldogs are getting a budding star in Modozie, who totaled 43 tackles, nine for loss, and 7 1/2 sacks during 25 games spanning two seasons at Army. It's not like the Cadets play a soft schedule, but we'll see if Modozie can adapt quickly to life in the mighty SEC.  

 
18 of 25

Miller Moss, Quarterback, Louisville (Sr.)

Miller Moss, Quarterback, Louisville (Sr.)
Scott Utterback/Courier Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Another season, another prized transfer is under center at Louisville. If it seemed like Moss was at USC forever, it only seemed that way. Moss was there for four seasons, but played in just 17 games. Nine of those came in 2024, when he threw for 2,555 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The upside for Moss at Louisville is that it's his team, and perhaps that comfort level results in finally unleashing some true potential.

 
19 of 25

Ethan Onianwa, Offensive Lineman, Ohio State (Sr.)

Ethan Onianwa, Offensive Lineman, Ohio State (Sr.)
Jason Mowry/Getty Images

A standout at Rice, the 6-7, 330-pound Onianwa is hoping to raise his NFL Draft stock in his one season with the Buckeyes. Onianwa is a massive specimen. He played both left and right tackle during his four seasons at Rice and is expected to be an important asset for an Ohio State offense that will have another imposing offensive line. 

 
20 of 25

Jaydn Ott, Running Back, Oklahoma (Sr.)

Jaydn Ott, Running Back, Oklahoma (Sr.)
DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Somewhat overshadowed by the aforementioned John Mateer is Ott. Looking to bounce back from an injury-hindered 2024 with Cal, Ott tries to regain the magic from his 2023 sophomore season, when he led the Pac-12 with 1,302 rushing yards and scored 12 touchdowns on the ground. The presence of Ott and Mateer is why the Sooners and their fervent fan base are so excited about 2025. 

 
21 of 25

Emmanuel Pregnon, Offensive Lineman, Oregon (Sr.)

Emmanuel Pregnon, Offensive Lineman, Oregon (Sr.)
Soobum Im/Getty Images

The 6-5, almost 320-pound Pregnon is playing for his third school (Wyoming and USC prior). He's started 36 games over three seasons, and is literally a huge addition on the offensive line for a Ducks squad that needs to replenish talent quickly. They should get that in Pregnon, who did not allow a sack at left guard last season for USC. 

 
22 of 25

Kaidon Salter, Quarterback, Colorado (Sr.)

Kaidon Salter, Quarterback, Colorado (Sr.)
Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images

Deion Sanders needed a replacement for son Shadeur, and potentially got a good one in Salter. He played four seasons at Liberty, where he threw for nearly 5,900 yards with 56 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, while also rushing for 2,014 yards and 21 scores. Though Salter took a step back in 2024, he appears to be the man at Colorado. However, reports have surfaced that touted freshman JuJu Lewis could also see time this season.

 
23 of 25

Eric Singleton Jr., Wide Receiver, Auburn (Jr.)

Eric Singleton Jr., Wide Receiver, Auburn (Jr.)
YouTube

Depending on who is doing the analyzing, Singleton to the best receiver in the 2025 transfer portal. And, the Tigers can certainly use a player of this caliber. During the last two seasons while starring for Georgia Tech, Singleton totaled 104 receptions for 1,468 yards with nine touchdowns. Singleton is an undisputed big-play threat and potential game-changer, who is also poised to star at the next level.

 
24 of 25

Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon (Jr.)

Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon (Jr.)
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon returns less than six starters on both sides of the ball -- combined. Thienemann, however, might be the star of the Ducks' portal additions. An All-American selection while recording 144 solo tackles and six interceptions (all in 2023) during his two seasons at Purdue, Thieneman stays in the Big Ten. Yet, he has even more to prove as a member of this perennial power.

 
25 of 25

Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Missouri (Jr.)

Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Missouri (Jr.)
DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI/ HERALD-TRIBUNE/USA TODAY NETWORK

A former five-star recruit, Wilson is a huge addition for the Tigers, who raided the portal to improve its defense. Wilson spent two seasons at Georgia, and last season he set a career high with three sacks, including 5 1/2 for loss, and forced two fumbles. Had Wilson stayed in Georgia, he'd likely remain a rotational player, but at Missouri, he has the potential to be the team's top defender. 

Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind. ) and Champaign (Ill

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