College Football transfer portal winners and losers highlights which teams have improved the most and lost the most in the transfer window.
The transfer portal, now a central stage in college football’s ever-evolving drama, has been a whirlwind of change since it opened on Dec. 9. In just a few weeks, over 2,000 FBS scholarship players have entered, each seeking a new opportunity, a fresh start. Of those, more than 800 have already found their next destination, committing to programs with hopes of rewriting their futures.
But the portal is not just a revolving door; it’s a measuring stick. Which programs have navigated its chaos to build contenders for 2025? And which have seen their rosters depleted by unforeseen exits?
Now that the deadline has passed, we look at winners and losers in this year’s transfer cycle, where opportunity and heartbreak collide.
College Football Transfer Portal Winners
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana didn’t dwell long on its 27-17 College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame. Instead, the Hoosiers turned the page decisively, securing one of the top prizes in the transfer portal: former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza’s numbers tell the story of his promise—3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a 68.7% completion rate across 11 games last season. His poise and precision make him a transformative addition.
Well that wasn't pretty. But, my Indiana Hoosiers are 10-0 for the first time in program history and I'm beaming. Just an unreal feeling for a fan base that has endured so much loss. Damn proud of these boys. HOO- HOO- HOO- HOOSIERS!!! #IUFB pic.twitter.com/ajqeKICDF1
— Homegrown Hoosier (@HomegrownHoos) November 10, 2024
But the Hoosiers didn’t stop there. They added Maryland running back Roman Hemby, a proven force with 2,347 career rushing yards, and wide receiver Makai Jackson, who ended his Appalachian State season in spectacular fashion—15 catches, 390 yards, and two touchdowns in just three games.
For Indiana, the future feels full of hope and possibility.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
In Lubbock, ambition wears red and black. Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, GM James Blanchard, and megadonor Cody Campbell are reshaping the Red Raiders with unflinching determination. Their aggressive approach in the transfer portal—backed by six- and seven-figure commitments—has delivered a wealth of future NFL talent.
Defensive tackle Hunter and offensive tackle Sampson are ranked No. 2 in their positions by ESPN, and they headline a class brimming with upgrades. USC running back Quinten Joyner joins to fill the void left by Tahj Brooks after tallying 478 yards and four touchdowns this season. Louisiana’s Terrance Carter, a Sun Belt standout, steps in at tight end after leading his conference in receiving yards among tight ends.
Top 5 plays of the season according to the content team.
How'd we do?#WreckEm | @Take5_OilChange pic.twitter.com/fI5DSrL5B6
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 6, 2025
On defense, newly hired coordinator Shiel Wood has restocked the secondary with key additions like Brice Pollock (Mississippi State) and Dontae Balfour (Charlotte). Meanwhile, one-year pickups Zambrano, Height, and Skyler Gill-Howard fortify both lines.
In the race for talent, Texas Tech is unrelenting—beating out Florida, Oklahoma, and others for key pieces. For the Red Raiders, the path to success isn’t just about competing. It’s about dominating the future.
College Football Transfer Portal Losers
Purdue Boilermakers
A 1-11 season paired with a head coaching change often brings upheaval, and that’s the reality for Purdue under new coach Barry Odom. Twenty players who started games for the Boilermakers have entered the transfer portal, with 14 already finding new homes.
Among the departures are standouts like Thieneman and Klare, regarded as some of the best at their positions in the Big Ten. Heldt, who recorded 10 tackles for loss, is now Clemson’s first defensive portal pickup under Dabo Swinney. Moussa, a reliable 30-game starter, also moves on.
Odom, known for finding impact transfers at UNLV, is working to replicate that success in West Lafayette. Five of his former Rebels are already aboard, but much more work remains ahead.
USC Trojans
For Lincoln Riley and the Trojans, the transfer portal has become a revolving door. Nineteen players have entered, including quarterback Miller Moss, who started nine games before losing his job to Jayden Maiava.
The biggest blows come at wide receiver, where former five-star talents Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson, and Kyron Hudson (now at Penn State) have moved on following a disappointing 6-6 regular season. Moss’s benching and Alexander’s midseason opt-out softened the sting of their departures, but the challenge of replacing a 22-game starter like Murphy at right tackle looms large.
Riley is turning to the portal for solutions. Defensive tackles Keeshawn Silver (Kentucky) and Jamaal Jarrett (Georgia) are poised to bolster the line, while Eli Sanders (New Mexico State) brings promise to the backfield. The search for fresh talent, especially at wide receiver, continues.