Who are the hottest non-QBs in the transfer portal? Top 5 players at every position
Before the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, get a feel for the top players around the field expected to hit the open market.
During college football’s transfer portal season, the quarterbacks get much of the attention, and understandably so. They can change a team’s fortunes in a hurry.
But there are plenty of other talented players who will be available when college football’s transfer portal opens on Friday. Coming into this week, there were already more than 120 starters (who started five games or more in 2025) from Power 4 programs who had made known their intentions to enter the portal, and that list is growing by the day. There are even more key starters from Group of 5 programs who will transfer, many of whom populated their league’s all-conference teams and some of whom played in the College Football Playoff.
We know who the top quarterbacks on the move are. But what about the rest of the players? Here’s a handy position-by-position guide of the best available non-quarterbacks from the FBS ranks so far. Keep in mind that these players are not officially in the portal yet and this list only includes those who have declared their intentions to enter.
Running back
- Hollywood Smothers, NC State, R-So.
- Caleb Hawkins, North Texas, Fr.
- Cam Cook, Jacksonville State, Jr.
- Quintrevion Wisner, Texas, Jr.
- Carson Hansen, Iowa State, Jr.
Cook (1,659 yards, 16 TDs) and Hawkins (1,434 yards, 25 TDs) ranked No. 1 and No. 4 in total rushing yards this season, and Smothers (939 yards, 6 TDs) was a first-team All-ACC selection. Wisner was the SEC’s third-leading rusher in 2024 before injuries interrupted his 2025; Hansen has led the Cyclones in rushing the last two seasons. Wayne Knight, an undersized but explosive back who led Sun Belt champion James Madison in rushing, is also worth watching.
Receiver
- Cam Coleman, Auburn, So.
- Nick Marsh, Michigan State, So.
- Omarion Miller, Colorado, Jr.
- Danny Scudero, San Jose State, R-So.
- Wyatt Young, North Texas, So.
Coleman, a five-star prospect in the class of 2024, is arguably the best player available regardless of position. Marsh (59 catches, 662 yards, six touchdowns) has proven his abilities in the Big Ten. Miller, who became the Buffs’ leading receiver in the program’s first year post-Travis Hunter, has an NFL body and skill set. Scudero and Young were both highly productive in the Group of 5 ranks in pass-heavy offenses but are plenty talented. Other intriguing options at wideout include Reed Harris (Boston College), DeAndre Moore (Texas), Terrell Anderson (NC State), Chase Hendricks (Ohio) and Jayce Brown (Kansas State).