Ranking the Top Underrated College Football Transfers Dominating Early 2026 Buzz
By Jason Bolton January 09, 2026 06:45
In the frenetic fog of early January 2026, as confetti from bowl games still litters stadium turf and playoff hangovers linger, the college football transfer portal has already morphed into a high-stakes bazaar. With the window slammed shut on January 16 no spring reprieve this year over 4,000 players flooded the market, chasing revenue-sharing dollars and starting gigs in the post-House v. NCAA era. While blue-chip quarterbacks like Brendan Sorsby (committed to Texas Tech on a reported near-$6 million deal) and Josh Hoover (to Indiana) steal headlines, the real buzz brews around the underrated gems proven producers from mid-majors or overlooked backups who've quietly positioned themselves for massive impacts and NIL windfalls. These transfers aren't the five-stars everyone chases; they're the savvy picks reshaping rosters on the cheap, with scouts whispering about their pro potential. Here's our ranking of the top 10 underrated transfers generating early buzz, based on production, fit, and insider chatter.
10. Bailey Stockton, WR, Georgia Tech (Portal Entrant)
The redshirt sophomore speedster flew under radars in Atlanta, hauling in 21 catches for 233 yards in 2025 amid a crowded receiver room. But at 6-1, 190 pounds, Stockton's burst and route-running savvy scream gadget weapon for a creative offense. "He's a bargain bin find with WR3 upside," one Big 12 scout told USA Today, projecting him as a slot dynamo. Linked to Power 4 contenders like Oklahoma State, Stockton's NIL valuation could spike to $500k+ if he lands in a pass-happy system.
9. Gio Lopez, QB, North Carolina to Wake Forest
Lopez's Tar Heel tenure was a tease limited snaps behind Max Johnson but his arm talent popped in mop-up duty, completing 65% of passes for 1,200 yards and 12 TDs across two seasons. Transferring to Wake Forest reunites him with a familiar scheme, where he could thrive as QB1. "Gio's got that underrated zip and poise," Fox Sports noted in their portal tracker. With two years left, expect a $1-1.5 million NIL package as the Demon Deacons rebuild.
8. Cade Uluave, LB, Cal (Portal Entrant)
The 6-1, 240-pound thumper graded as PFF's top-graded linebacker in limited 2025 action, racking up 78 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and two picks. Overshadowed in Berkeley, Uluave's sideline-to-sideline speed fits modern defenses. "He's the kind of bargain who becomes a starter Day 1," ESPN's Steve Muench scouted. Buzz links him to Ole Miss or Kentucky, where NIL could hit $800k for his run-stuffing prowess.
7. Chaz Coleman, Edge, Georgia Tech to Georgia
Coleman's move across town to Athens is a homecoming coup for Kirby Smart. The sophomore tallied 5.5 sacks and 12 TFLs in 2025, showcasing bend and power off the edge. "Chaz is underrated nationally but a plug-and-play disruptor," 247Sports' Cooper Petagna ranked him in the top 50 transfers. With Georgia's NIL machine, expect a $1 million+ deal as he bolsters the Bulldogs' front.
6. Hollywood Smothers, RB, NC State (Portal Entrant)
The aptly nicknamed back exploded for 850 rushing yards and eight TDs in 2025, averaging 5.8 yards per carry with elusive cuts. "Smothers is that underrated workhorse ready for a Power 4 spotlight," a YouTube analyst raved in a portal breakdown. With three years left, he's drawing interest from SEC teams like Auburn, where NIL could reach $600k-$900k for his vision and burst.
5. Toby Osunsanmi, Edge, Kansas State to Indiana
Osunsanmi's 7.5 sacks in 2025 went unnoticed in Manhattan, but his twitchy first step and closing speed make him a pass-rush sleeper. "Toby's the most underrated edge in the portal," the same YouTube scout enthused. Landing in Curt Cignetti's aggressive scheme at Indiana, he's poised for double-digit sacks and a $800k NIL bump.
4. Husan Longstreet, QB, USC (Portal Entrant)
The five-star freshman backed up Jayden Maiava, flashing in garbage time with dual-threat flair (68% completion, 450 yards, five TDs). "Husan's got that underrated arm and mobility teams will fight for him," Fox Sports projected. With three years eligibility, he's a hot commodity for programs like Florida State, potentially commanding $2-3 million in NIL.
3. DJ Lagway, QB, Florida to Baylor
Lagway's Gator stint was injury-plagued, but his 2025 flashes (2,500 yards, 22 TDs) scream upside. Committing to Baylor reunites him with Dave Aranda's staff. "DJ's an underrated dual-threat with franchise traits," USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz scouted. Expect a $3 million+ NIL deal as Baylor's savior.
2. Kenny Minchey, QB, Notre Dame to Kentucky
Buried behind CJ Carr, Minchey transferred to Lexington with two years left, bringing a cannon arm and mobility (limited stats: 20-of-26, 196 yards). "He's got a strong arm and good mobility can drop it into go routes," ESPN's Tom Luginbill scouted. In Bush Hamdan's pro-style attack, Minchey's NIL could hit $1.5-2 million as Kentucky's starter.
1. Tawfiq Byard, S, Colorado (Portal Entrant)
Byard emerged as a ballhawk in Boulder after transferring from USF, tallying 65 tackles, three picks, and eight PBUs in 2025. "Tawfiq's quickly becoming a sought-after target," SI.com reported, linking him to Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Texas A&M. His downhill thumping and coverage range scream NFL upside, with NIL buzz north of $1 million at a blue-blood.
These transfers embody the portal's democratizing force talent rising from the shadows to dominate buzz and reshape contenders. As one Power 4 director told ESPN, "The underrated guys are where you win championships on a budget." In 2026, keep an eye on these names; their stories are just beginning.
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