Pok’s College Football Column: Your Transfer Portal Update

The college football transfer portal is still roaring along, but it is time for an update on the past week’s events.

Plenty of declarations, signings, and withdrawals have already happened since things officially began on January 2. More moves are going to be flying in, too, as the closing of the portal on January 16 marches closer.

What are the big moves so far? And what have some of the Florida-based teams been up to? Time to find out!

College Football Transfer Portal Update

USF Bulls

The portal giveth, and the portal taketh.

The USF Bulls have dealt with both ends of the modern era of college football. Pending any players reversing course, USF has 27 players in the portal. Of those 27, 13 are on the offensive side of the ball, 13 are on defense, and one is on special teams.

To no surprise, the Bulls have seen the majority of their transfers depart to Auburn under new head coach Alex Golesh. Outside of quarterback Marcelis Tate, who committed to Tennessee State, here are the players who have already transferred to Auburn (Note: This group does not include a few other players who are rumored to head to Auburn, such as Keshaun Singleton.)

• QB Byrum Brown
• WR Jeremiah Koger
• WR Kory Pettigrew
• WR Christian Neptune
• RB Nykahi Davenport
• TE Jonathan Echols
• QB Locklan Hewlett
• CB Gavin Jenkins
• DB Fred Gaskin

Combined with the other players that have yet to sign, USF is set to lose a large number of its offensive contributors from 2025. Davenport was the team’s best running back by a wide margin, while Echols came on strong as a pass catcher as the year went on. Neptune was consistent as well, while Koger had a claim to being one of the team’s best overall players. Gaskin, on the defensive end, was arguably USF’s best defensive back.

Additionally, Auburn poached from what looked to be USF’s future. Pettigrew, Hewlett, and Jenkins all looked to be players who could make a major impact in 2026. Now, they are set to potentially do so in the SEC with the Tigers.

On the other hand, USF has added some players that could be massive contributors on both sides of the ball.

The Bulls added both C.J. Hicks and Grayson Howard to shore up their linebacker position. Hicks, a former Ohio State Buckeye, will provide pass-rushing talent. Meanwhile, Howard, formerly of the Florida Gators, should solidify the middle of the field.

West Virginia’s Asani Redwood should provide a nice floor on the interior of the defensive line. South Carolina’s Zavion Hardy provides massive upside as an overall player in the trenches. Oregon State’s Shamar Meikle should also provide more pass rush off the edge. In the secondary, A’mon Lane-Ganus, formerly of Auburn, should provide massive upside at multiple positions as a former four-star recruit. West Virginia’s Israel Boyce should provide nice tackling and stability at a position that USF will badly need.

UPDATE: USF landed two high-upside defensive backs in Malcolm Ziglar and Teddy Foster, while also adding a fun linebacker in Rutgers’ Sam Robinson. They also added consistent producers in former Georgia Southern defensive back Ayden Jackson and former Duke defensive lineman Terry Simmons.

Offensively, USF added in the trenches and at wideout. Arizona’s Michael Wooten was picked up to help stabilize the guard position. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s Ethan Green will likely have a chance to play at a tackle spot for the Bulls. At wideout, Jaron Glover is coming home to Florida to play for the Bulls. A product of both Michigan State and Mississippi State, the wideout has the pure talent and ability to make an immediate impact in 2026.

Additionally, the Bulls received more good news to add to Mudia Reuben’s return. Running back Alvon Isaac exited the portal and chose to return to Tampa, while productive tight end Wyatt Sullivan is set to return to USF as well.

The Bulls added another wideout in Purdue’s Arhmad Branch, who should provide an immediate impact at the position in 2026. USF also added solid offensive linemen in the form of Caleb Cook (Georgia Southern) and Kahari Finely (Morgan State). And finally, the Bulls added a quarterback in the high-upside Luke Kromenhoek.

USF still needs to add plenty of players. Expect those moves to come fast and furious. Wideouts such as Bryson Rodgers, could be added over the coming days. The same could easily be said for quarterback, running back, and much more.

Thanks to Auburn and the portal as a whole, USF will need to replace a large swatch of its 2025 production. If the first few days have been any indication, the Bulls should be in a solid spot.

Florida Atlantic Owls

Similar to USF, Florida Atlantic has felt the effects of the modern era of college football.

For departures, the Owls saw key contributors and depth pieces leave the program. Plenty of names announced their intentions to transfer early. The likes of Tyler Stolsky, Asaad Waseem, and Vincent Fiacable occurred very late in the process.

Stolsky, a Minnesota transfer, was a defensive leader for the Owls who had success in his only season with the Owls. The same could be said for Waseem and Fiacable. Waseem broke out as a wideout in the Owls’ offense, showing a versatile skillset that was among the best in the conference. Fiacable, no matter the opponent, was a stabilizing force on the offensive line at the center position.

Combined with players like Jayshon Platt and Zion Paret leaving, FAU was faced with a tough task of filling its roster once again.

On the flip side of things, though, FAU has done a solid job of adding football players in the early portion of the college transfer portal.

The Owls replenished their ranks at wideout rather quickly, adding four players at the position. RJ Garcia, formerly of Bowling Green, provides a veteran mindset combined with great speed and route running. Virginia’s Tucker Holloway can provide offensive value as a route runner and is an impressive punt returner, something FAU will utilize heavily. Kelby Valsin (Texas Tech) and Jahmari Powell-Wonson (Maryland) are impressive talents who, within Kittley’s offensive scheme, could break out in 2026 with the right opportunity.

In the trenches, FAU added plenty of fun players along the defensive line. Blake Burris (SMU), Lebron Edmond (UT-Martin), and Corey Clark (Mississippi State) will bring talent and depth to the interior. Jonathan Bax (TCU) and Jay Crable (Ohio) should provide some juice off the edge in the run and pass games.

Additionally, FAU added multiple defensive backs in the form of Ahlston Ware (Ferris State) and Bo Simpson-Nealy (Western Carolina). They also added a potential star linebacker in Nate Fischer (San Diego), an intriguing quarterback in Rice’s Drew Devillier, and a punter in Reed Chandley (Georgia State).

FAU’s work is far from over on both sides of the ball. It will be fascinating to see where the Owls end things after the portal cycle. They will need a great foundation heading into Year 2 of the Kittley era.

FIU Panthers

In terms of departures and arrivals, the winds are calm at the present moment for the FIU Panthers.

There were plenty of key departures in the early portion of the Panthers. Offensive linemen Jaheim Buchanon and Daniel Michel are big losses in the trenches. Meanwhile, Jessiah McGrew, Victor Evans III, Brian Blades II, and Mister Clark are rough losses in the secondary.

Yet the biggest overall loss is arguably Alex Perry.

One of the best wideouts in C-USA this past season, Perry has all of the ability to succeed at any level of football and will be a great addition to a team.

In terms of additions, FIU has only officially made one. The Panthers signed Ryan Gadson, a Lafayette product who was an all-conference selection and had three interceptions in 2025.

Florida Gators

Florida has obviously lost some key contributors to the portal (see DJ Lagway), but the players that new head coach Jon Sumrall has been able to retain and bring in are intriguing.

For starters, keeping Dallas Wilson, Vernell Brown III, and Jadan Baugh is amazing for the Gators. At their best, the trio is one of the best collections of skill talent in the SEC and will give Florida a great floor to build upon in 2026.

Portal-wise, Emmanuel Oyebadejo is one of the better additions any team has made all cycle. A standout college football player at Jacksonville State, the edge rusher has the talent and potential to be one of the best at his position, period. Lacota Dippre is a great addition at tight end from James Madison, while quarterback Aaron Philo provides plenty of intrigue and upside for the Gators.

Florida’s other additions were very solid, too. Defensive lineman DK Kalu and safety DJ Coleman will bring nice overall to the Gators from Baylor. Wideout Bailey Stockton reconnects with Philo to potentially give him a trusted target, while Evan Pryor brings plenty of experience at the running back position. TJ Shanahan Jr. and Evan Boyer will look to solidify the offensive line coming over from Penn State. And, of course, Tulane’s Alex Clark and Patrick Durkin will look to lockdown the special teams for the Gators.

Sumrall and company have plenty of work to do over the remaining days of the college football transfer portal. But with this start, things look promising for the Gators.