The early wave of transfer portal movement is often the most telling. While some prospects leverage new opportunities to accelerate their development and visibility, others find their paths suddenly more crowded—or more uncertain. With bowl season nearly complete and roster turnover ramping up, now is the perfect time to evaluate which Devy assets are trending up and which may require a more cautious outlook heading into the 2026 college football season.
Winner: Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati → Texas Tech)
Not only did Sorsby secure an absolute bag (reportedly $5 million), but he also landed in one of the most attractive quarterback destinations of this transfer cycle. Had he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, Sorsby likely would have been selected on Day 2 or early Day 3.
Instead, he now gets to spend another year developing under Mack Leftwich—the coach who recruited Cam Ward to Incarnate Word and previously worked under Eric Morris and G.J. Kinne. With further positional refinement and a likely statistical spike, Sorsby has a real chance to climb to the top of a loaded 2027 rookie QB class. Don’t be surprised if his production also pushes him into early Heisman conversations.
Loser: Ousmane Kromah (Florida State)
After a somewhat rocky but encouraging true freshman season, Kromah believers quietly celebrated when Gavin Sawchuk and Kam Davis entered the transfer portal. With a 5.7 YPC average in a split backfield during 2025, it seemed reasonable to expect a step forward in Year 2 behind a wide-open depth chart.
That optimism was short-lived now that Mike Norvell brought in Tre Wisner from Texas. While Wisner doesn’t necessarily crush Kromah’s long-term outlook, he profiles as the type of back who stays on the field due to his pass protection and receiving ability. That skill set could limit valuable game reps for Kromah unless injuries create additional opportunities.
Winners: North Texas Transfers to Oklahoma State
Drew Mestemaker, Caleb Hawkins, Wyatt Young, and company deserve to be grouped together here. Following their head coach and prolific offense to Stillwater represents close to a best-case scenario.
Yes, competition at Oklahoma State will be stiffer than at North Texas, but all three players already have proven production at the CFF level. Now, they’ll get the benefit of performing on a much larger national stage. If they can replicate even a portion of last season’s success against Big 12 competition, sneaking into the back end of 2027 or 2028 dynasty rookie drafts is firmly in play.
Winner: Nick Marsh (Michigan State → Indiana)
Marsh transferring to Indiana might be my favorite landing spot of the early portal cycle. Indiana is on a heater as a program and just added an underrated Devy asset.
Marsh, a prototypical X receiver, paired with gunslinger Josh Hoover, is an exciting combination heading into 2026. His stock is clearly on the rise—now is the time to acquire Marsh in C2C or Devy leagues before the window closes.
Loser: Deuce Knight (Auburn → TBD)
Deuce Knight’s decision to enter the portal is puzzling. While his most notable performance came against FCS-level Mercer, Auburn is heading into 2026 with a new coaching staff and a relatively thin quarterback depth chart. The opportunity was there.
Instead, Knight has scheduled visits with Boston College, SMU, Cal, and others—schools that likely represent a step down in competition. Given that the level of competition was already a minor red flag during his high school evaluation, this move raises additional concerns about his developmental trajectory.
Loser: Isaac Brown (Louisville)
This may be a bit harsh, as Isaac Brown should still be viewed as a potential late first-round Devy pick in the 2027 class. However, after briefly entering the transfer portal, Brown ultimately returned to Louisville.
In the NIL era, financial security matters, and it’s possible the incentive simply wasn’t strong enough to leave a comfortable, running-back-friendly offense. Still, with several premium landing spots reportedly available—Texas, LSU, and Indiana among them—it feels like a missed opportunity to leverage the portal to elevate his Devy stock even further.
Final Thoughts
The transfer portal continues to reshape Devy landscapes at a rapid pace. Early winners often gain not just opportunity, but clarity—clearer paths to volume, better developmental environments, and increased national exposure. Conversely, early “losers” aren’t necessarily finished products, but their margins for error have narrowed. For Devy and C2C managers, staying ahead of these shifts is critical. The moves made this winter may very well define the value swings we’re debating in drafts two years from now.
