Even while the College Football Playoff is underway, the hype around the transfer portal opening on Jan. 2 isn’t stopping. Most of the conversation will center around the quarterback position for good reason, but there is also a long list of talented non-quarterbacks looking for new homes. Teams from across the country will be salivating at the chance to upgrade their rosters.

A lot can and probably will change from here, but there is some insight beginning to come out about where some of these players could end up. Based on what I am hearing and some connecting the dots, here are some early predictions for where some of the top names could end up. That includes the next great Ohio State pass rusher, Notre Dame’s aggressiveness, and LSU finding another elite wide receiver.

Transfer Portal predictions 

EDGE Chaz Coleman (Penn State) – Ohio State

The Ohio native will be pursued by all the heavy hitters in college football. This gives the Buckeyes a second chance, who will be saying goodbye to Caden Curry this offseason, and possibly Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Coleman would be a seamless fit. 

DT Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest) – Notre Dame

There is no bigger need on the Notre Dame roster this offseason than at defensive tackle. Ibirogba has taken a fascinating journey to this point after beginning his career at FCS Georgetown. I expect the Irish to value him tremendously. 

OT Carius Curne (LSU) – Arkansas 

After a coaching change, Curne opted to enter the portal rather than play for Lane Kiffin. There’s a chance that the Arkansas native could head back home to play for the Razorbacks. They are a team that could use upgrades all over the offensive line, and Curne has the versatility to fit anywhere. 

RB Hollywood Smothers (NC State) – Notre Dame 

Does Notre Dame need to prioritize running back now that Aneyas Williams is returning? No, but it appears they are doing a lot of homework on the portal options right now. Head coach Marcus Freeman has always prioritized players he has gone against in the past, and that could make Smothers a preferred target for the Irish. 

WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State) – LSU 

LSU is one of the early teams to know, and they have a big need at wide receiver right now. The 6-3, 215-pound pass catcher is one of the better boundary receivers in all of college football. That is a position that Kiffin always prioritizes. 

WR Jayce Brown (Kansas State) – Oklahoma 

While Brown is originally from Florida, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Oklahoma make a huge push to keep Brown in the old Big 12 country. With Deion Burks leaving this offseason, the Sooners would be wise to target some more speed. Brown brings a whole lot of big-play ability. 

LB Liona Lefau (Texas) – USC 

Originally from Hawaii, I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see Lefau head to the West Coast. With Eric Gentry off to the NFL, the Trojans could use a difference maker on the second level. Lefau could potentially bring that, and may even upgrade the departed Gentry. 

TE Walker Lyons (USC) – BYU 

There’s no insider information on this, but Walker’s younger brother, Ryder Lyons, just signed with the Cougars. I have a feeling that BYU could welcome another Lyons to Provo. He’s a talented tight end who just got his first taste of success in 2025.

College Football

QB Transfer Portal Predictions: Lane Kiffin’s guy, Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore replacements, and the Penn State connection

Predicting where the top quarterbacks in the Transfer Portal will land to play during the 2026 college football season.

Ryan Roberts