Alabama lands elite RB, and Notre Dame’s answer to a big game worry highlights hypothetical CFB trades ahead of the playoffs
College football hypothetical trades allow playoff contenders to fill their biggest needs heading toward the postseason.
With only a couple of games left in the 2025 college football season, the conversation will soon transition to the College Football Playoffs and the great teams, players, and coaches that will be involved in it.
In the wonderful world of the transfer portal and NIL, there is no perfect team. Each program has its flaws, which have created a high level of parity and opportunity for some underdog stories, or at least some mild postseason upsets. Even with how dominant the Ohio State Buckeyes have been this year, this is still about as wide open as we have seen college football in some time.
To have a little bit of fun, fellow A to Z Sports analyst Joe DeLeone and I decided to try to fix some of the top contenders in college football. With the dynamics surrounding the portal, NIL contracts, and these being student-athletes, trades are obviously not a thing, and it is unlikely to ever be a thing.
While some will argue with this, these are still amateur athletes, so a trade system like on the NFL level can’t be a thing. It is still a fun thought to consider how these teams could improve if those types of options were available.
Between DeLeone and me, we offered up four hypothetical trades that could help take some playoff contenders over the top. So sit back, have a little bit of fun, and use your imagination. There are some fun pairings in here, and a couple of interesting hypothetical returns for struggling programs.
Hypothetical college football trades
Alabama trades EDGE Justin Hill and WR Derek Meadows to Missouri for RB Ahmad Hardy
“The Alabama rushing attack desperately needs an explosive and physical presence to fix its nonexistent run game. This season, it’s averaging only 108.7 rush yards per game and ranks 93rd in EPA per rush. It needs a big-time playmaker if they want to make a run at a national championship.
“Ahmad Hardy has been an electric presence in the Missouri run game, totaling 1,346 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s been one of the best running backs in the country and would obviously take the Alabama offense to a new level.
“To swing a trade of this magnitude for a player who will likely hang around for one more season in college football, Alabama would need to part with two highly rated 2025 recruits. To make this trade happen, Alabama would send former four-star recruits Derek Meadows and Justin Hill. With Damon Wilson, Zion Young, and Kevin Coleman all likely jumping to the NFL, adding a promising wide receiver and EDGE would be a priority. Additionally, still having Jamal Roberts would keep the Missouri run game afloat.” – DeLeone
Notre Dame trades RB Aneyas Williams to Purdue for PK Spencer Porath
“The Notre Dame group is a pretty well-balanced team, boasting an explosive offense and a continuously improving defensive unit under defensive coordinator Chris Ash. For head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish team, there is one area that has Irish fans terrified if this team does make a College Football Playoff run. There is absolutely no confidence that Notre Dame can make a big kick to win a game, having already missed four field goals and four extra points this season while dealing with the health of Noah Burnette and inconsistencies from true freshman Erik Schmidt.
“If they somehow fixed that issue, this team would be dangerous. Porath wouldn’t have to travel far, already playing college football inside the state of Indiana. On the season, the sophomore has made each of his extra points, while also going 14 of 15 on field goals. Porath has connected on six of seven kicks over 40 yards, including a season-long of 53 yards. Not only is Porath one of the best kickers in college football, he also has two years of eligibility following this season, so Notre Dame won’t have to worry about its kicking situation for the foreseeable future.
“The Boilermakers need to add some impact talent to a poor roster. On a large portion of teams across the country, Williams would be a lead ball carrier. After playing an important role for the Irish in 2024, he has been relegated to mop-up duty behind Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. While his future is still bright, Notre Dame is well stocked at running back for a while, especially with the 2026 recruits coming in. You don’t necessarily want to see Williams leave, but to solve arguably your biggest issue on this team right now, it’s worth the compromise.” – Roberts
Oregon trades CB Dorian Brew to Tennessee for WR Chris Brazzell
“Oregon’s sights are on a College Football Playoff run, but they need to bolster their wide receiver room to make it happen. Since losing Evan Stewart in the preseason, they’ve received production from star freshman Dakorian Moore. However, it’s been apparent that when he got banged up, they severely lack depth and could use another big-time playmaker.
“Enter Chris Brazzell, who’s been one of the best big-play threats in college football and will likely be a high draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This season, he has 808 yards and eight touchdowns, good for 13th in the country in total yards and tied for 10th in touchdowns. His presence alongside Moore would make it difficult to scheme against them.
“For Tennessee, its pass defense was atrocious this year. It needs youth in its secondary, and former four-star cornerback Dorian Brew can supply that. In the 2025 class, he was the 12th-ranked cornerback and would be a fair trade for a one-year rental.” – DeLeone
Georgia trades OT Juan Gaston to Arkansas for EDGE Quincy Rhodes Jr.
“Rhodes is one of the breakout stars in all of college football this season, but you wouldn’t know it since he plays for the Razorbacks. In 10 games, the junior has recorded 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble. For context, the Georgia defensive line has only managed to record 17 tackles for loss and five sacks as a unit. The Bulldogs have had to rely on their linebackers to create negatives this season, and sometimes too much.
“The 6-6, 270-pound pass rusher would give Georgia an immediate impact on obvious passing downs, which could be huge down the stretch. With Rhodes having a 2026 NFL Draft decision on the table for the future, you may only get Rhodes for a few games, so it is a bit of a gamble for Georgia. That’s why Arkansas would receive a very talented younger player whose future is bright, but the production is also small right now.
“Gaston was a five-star recruit in the 2025 class for a reason, and at 6-7, 360 pounds, he is a massive presence with a lot of upside. He has earned a starting role inside for Georgia, but could still have a future at offensive tackle for Arkansas. While that’s quite a piece to give up for the long term, there’s reason to believe that head coach Kirby Smart would compromise for a better chance at a championship in the short term. Both teams would get a tremendous return, a really good player for another really good player.” – Roberts
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
Notre Dame’s CFB Playoff resume took a near disastrous hit even while blowing out a ranked Pitt Panther team on the road
Notre Dame escaped a near disastrous resume hit this week.
