The 2025-2026 off-season of college football is going to be an exciting and unknown territory. With several high-profile jobs becoming available around the same time, the demand for an elite head coach is higher than ever. Yet, the supply of elite coaches doesn’t match that same level.
This suggests that whichever teams are left out of the elite (or at least promising) coaching cycle will likely see younger recruits who aren’t tethered to the program leave. Obviously, with any kind of prediction, there will be lots of speculation and guesswork, and this is no different. Here are your top 10 high-profile and (potentially) available college football players.
10) Trey’Dez Green, TE, LSU
Potential Fits: Texas A&M, Miami, Auburn
It’s early in the season, which means the list of transfers has to be talented players with tons of potential that aren’t getting a lot of playing time, or players on a team that is trending in the wrong direction, and they need to get out. Trey’Dez Green firmly fits in the second category.
According to TruMedia, Green has run the second-most routes of all tight ends on the LSU Tigers. Despite technically being the second-string tight end, Green ranks 10th in our tight end impact rankings with a score of 81.1. He ranks 16th in receiving yards per game at 44, and his four touchdowns this season are tied for seventh.
If LSU isn’t able to sign Lane Kiffin, Green is a great candidate for other elite teams to grab for cheap before he turns into a true superstar at the tight end position with his elite size and length, paired with the smooth after-the-catch ability.
9) Colton Joseph, QB, Old Dominion
Potential Fits: Vanderbilt, Arizona State, Virginia Tech
I know it’s frustrating to see a list dominated by quarterbacks, but that’s the name of the game. Colton Joseph ranks 18th in our QBi impact rankings in 2025, a marked improvement from his ranking of 35th in 2024. He is the definition of a gun slinger, ranking 14th in completion of 15 or more yards but also nine interceptions (tied for second-most).
Seeing Joseph on a Power Four football team where the coach can tap into his strong arm and rushing potential (16th in rushing EPA (expected points added) per snap among quarterbacks) is the perfect reason to include him on this top transfers list. With Joseph only being a true sophomore with 430 attempts and counting, he should be a hot commodity this offseason.
Devon Dampier is the first name that comes to mind in terms of a similar jump that I could see Joseph make. An elite rushing quarterback with big play potential who left New Mexico for Utah. Joseph needs teams that like to manufacture runs for their quarterbacks, which is why I think replacing Pavia could be perfect for Joseph.
8) Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas
Potential Fits: LSU, Indiana, Oregon
Speaking of hot commodities, Drew Mestemaker has made quite a name for himself among Group of Five quarterbacks. He ranks 27th in EPA per drop back, first in passes of 15 or more yards, and 47th in our impact rankings.
I’m sure by now you’ve all read that the red-shirt freshman never started a varsity game in high school as a quarterback, wasn’t a ranked recruit, and walked on at North Texas. Now, he’s got some of the most buzz among any quarterbacks, and if North Texas continues to have this kind of success, it makes sense for Mestemaker to punch up.
With both Drew Allar and Garrett Nusmeier gone after this year and both LSU and Penn State with coaching openings, it would make sense for Mestemaker or Joseph to transfer over there. The new coaches aren’t tied to the recruits already on the team, which allows these Group of Five guys the opportunity to earn the starting job.
Mestemaker and North Texas rank 29th in quickest time to throw, and 18th in seconds per play, showcasing their preference for fast-paced and rhythm-based passing. This suggests a team like Oregon might be interested in Mestemaker, especially if Dante Moore leaves for the draft. If not, the Hoosiers also make sense with their success in RPOs and 18th-quickest time to throw.
7) Byrum Brown, QB, South Florida
Potential Fits: Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Missouri
The last of the Group of Five quarterbacks is Byrum Brown. While he struggles at times with accuracy (115th of 139 in completion percentage on intermediate throws), there is no denying the highlight reels that this guy could put up at a bigger school. He ranks 13th in EPA per snap and second in total rushing yards among quarterbacks. His 15.8% pressure-to-sack rate isn’t great, but it also isn’t at an alarming level.
With guys like LaNorris Seller and DJ Lagway captivating attention and respect with the same formula, Brown could absolutely be one of those types of quarterbacks. Despite ranking 84th in number of attempts outside the pocket (likely affected by his scramble rate), Brown ranks 38th in EPA per play when outside the pocket.
Teams like Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, or Missouri rank highly in plays outside the pocket while also allowing Brown to utilize his legs in the quarterback run game as well.
6) Trey White, EDGE, San Diego State
Potential Fits: Indiana, Utah, Auburn
With San Diego State’s defense ranking 11th this season in our Impact scores, it would make sense for some of their star players to start getting looks from the Power Four. After all, most sports work by funneling talent up until you reach the top of the talent pool. Part of what makes San Diego State play so well on defense is their 29th-ranked pressure rate.
This is led by edge rusher Trey White, who ranks 30th in pressure rate among 218 defenders with over 150 pass-rushing snaps. At 6’2″, 255 lbs, White has lined up in a stand-up position at the edge on over 9 of his 321 snaps this season. This suggests he would probably be best transferring to a team that runs nickel or 3-4 primarily, like the Aztecs (26th-most nickel in the FBS).
In fact, the Aztecs rank 12th in pressure rate out of a Nickel package. Teams that have had success rushing the passer with five defensive backs on the field include the Indiana Hoosiers, Utah Utes, and Auburn Tigers.
5) Javion White, S, Tulane
Potential Fits: Louisville, Texas Tech, Iowa, Sumrall’s future team (LSU? Penn State?)
It’s time to face the music for Tulane. It was nice while they had him, but Jon Sumrall is as good as gone with this many high-profile coaching openings available. With that being said, I expect that will likely lead to some of the Tulane players joining him or jumping ship in general. Among them is Tulane safety Javion White, who ranks 52nd in our safety rankings with an 81.1 score.
White got over 200 snaps at defensive back as a true freshman and has followed up with an elite sophomore season to date. White has three interceptions, four pass-breakups, and has allowed a passer rating when targeted of 56.3. What really surprises me about the 190-pound safety is his usage. 26% of his snaps have been as an edge rusher lined up outside the tackle in a pass-rushing position (fifth-most in FBS).
Safety by title but not by actual alignment. He has just five snaps over the top at free safety and just one snap in the strong safety position. His main alignment has been slot corner, where he lines up on over 63% of his snaps. Ironically, those edge-rusher snaps only resulted in a total of 13 pass-rushing snaps, suggesting they had him drop into coverage from this position often.
Louisville, Texas Tech, and Iowa are all defenses that love to line slot corners up as linebackers and disguise coverage often. These are the types of teams that would be perfect for White to transfer to if he ends up leaving Sumrall, which is not a guarantee by any means.
4) Chaz Coleman, ED, Penn State
Potential Fits: Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State
Chaz Coleman has made the best of his pass-rushing snaps for the Penn State Nittany Lions, ranking fifth in pressure rate. Unfortunately for Coleman, he just hasn’t been able to crack the lineup very often, with just 126 snaps this season and only 59 pass-rushing snaps. Luckily for Coleman, he’s a 6″4 259 lb edge rusher getting at least some meaningful playing time for Penn State.
This should make him a very valuable player for whichever team is able to poach him. Penn State has lost out on both Curt Cignetti and Matt Rhule, with new extensions being doled out, which means we could see a massive fallout from the Nittany Lions’ current players, just like we already have from their recruits.
A young player with this kind of potential at such a valuable position suggests he’s gonna be an asset and a fit to pretty much any team.
3) Dallas Wilson, WR, Florida
Potential Fits: Notre Dame, USC, Alabama, Ohio State
Unfortunately for Dallas Wilson, it doesn’t look like DJ Lagway has improved as much as expected, and Billy Napier just got fired. Add this on top of the fact that the leading target getter for the Gators right now is fellow true freshman Vernell Brown III. It would not surprise me at all if several teams with elite quarterbacks tried to throw a bag at Wilson and get him to transfer.
There is absolutely no denying the talent in Wilson. He’s silky-smooth, dominated in spring ball, and has still managed an impressive 15.2 yards per reception on 167 yards and three touchdowns in his first-ever collegiate season. He would fit well with any team that has a stable and good coach and quarterback in place.
2) CJ Bailey, QB, NC State
Potential Fits: Indiana, Oregon, LSU
CJ Bailey has been one of my favorite college football quarterbacks since he took over the job at NC State as a true freshman in 2024. Bailey ranks 26th in our quarterback rankings and looks to me to be a potential first round pick in the future. He’s got a nice arm with great talent outside the pocket, consistently extending plays and finding his weapons downfield.
As much as I’d like him to stay at a place like NC State, there’s only so much you can do when the defense just isn’t holding up their end of the bargain. The Wolfpack rank 27th offensively and 61st defensively in our impact rankings, and both of his stud targets will be gone next year, with KC Concepcion dominating at Texas A&M and Justin Joly getting drafted in 2026.
Despite having immense talent when extending plays, Bailey ranks 18th in the FBS in EPA when inside the pocket versus 59th when outside the pocket. With an average time to throw of 2.86 seconds (about average), he ranks 36th on throws quicker than that and 10th on throws longer than that. This suggests that Bailey has an elite trait that many coaches and scouts covet. The ability to maneuver the pocket without bailing immediately.
For this reason, Bailey fits pretty much any team that is lucky enough to get his talents. In terms of logistical fit, Indiana, Oregon, LSU, and Penn State all make sense to me, given the need for a quarterback.
1) Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, Cal
Potential Fits: USC, Texas, Ole Miss
It might not show up in the stats, but Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (JKS for short) has got the goods. The left-handed true freshman quarterback should be one of the most sought-after players in all of college football when you watch him effortlessly make NFL-level throws with precision and accuracy.
Unlike the other lefty (Tua Tagovailoa), it looks as if JKS might actually have some juice arm-talent-wise, which significantly increases his ceiling as a pro prospect. Suppose JKS can join a team with a quarterback whisperer like Lincoln Riley. In that case, I’d love to revisit the first overall pick conversation in two to three years when JKS is actually available.
