When Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss takes the field against Georgia at the Sugar Bowl Friday night, it could be his last college game if his waiver seeking a sixth year of eligibility is denied.

Whatever happens, Chambliss has already etched his name in the history books as one of the best transfer portal finds ever. He’ll need to make a big impact at the next level to be mentioned with the likes of Tyreek Hill, Adam Thielen and Austin Ekeler — several of the former Division II players who went on to make an All-Pro team in the NFL — but from a college perspective, Chambliss proved a former DII quarterback could step in and lead an SEC school to the College Football Playoff.

Chambliss, who led Ferris State in Michigan to the 2024 national championship, was one of the 130-plus players from the Division II, Division III and NAIA ranks who transferred into FBS programs prior to the 2025 season. Of those, 44 started at least six regular-season games, including eight at Power 4 programs.

When the transfer portal opens Friday, expect even more former non-Division I players to test the free agency waters in hopes of getting called up to the top level of college football.

Before that happens, let’s look back at some of the former DII players, aside from Chambliss, who became success stories during the 2025 season. Players are listed by position.

Marcellous Hawkins, RB, Virginia Tech: Hawkins made nine starts for the Hokies and was their most productive tailback with 749 yards and one touchdown on 118 carries after earning first-team All-MIAA honors in 2023 at Central Missouri.

DJ Black, WR, UCF: The 6-3, 205-pound redshirt junior from Limestone (S.C.) University started 11 games for the Knights and had 22 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning grab against Jacksonville State in the opener.

Terrill Davis, WR, Oklahoma State: A former All-American at Central Oklahoma, Davis started 10 games and ranked second on the team in both receptions (29) and receiving yards (373).

Cameron Dorner, WR, North Texas: The senior from Shepherd (W.Va.) University was the Mean Green’s second-leading receiver with 56 catches for 911 yards and eight touchdowns.

Tre Richardson, WR, Vanderbilt: The 5-10, 175-pound junior added some much-needed speed to the Vanderbilt receiving corps and heads into the Reliaquest Bowl Wednesday ranked second on the team with 679 receiving yards. The former first-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association pick at Washburn (Kan.) University has three touchdown catches of 50-plus yards.

Tre Richardson 71-yards to the house. Vandy leads Kentucky 10-0 early in the 2nd quarter.
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