We’ve seen plenty of players transfer into the Sun Belt and have a lot of success. Camden Brown’s season with Georgia Southern last year is a great example.
There are a handful of players who could have the same impact this year while also establishing themselves among the top players in the Group of Six. Here are some names to look out for:
WR Chris Lofton, App State
Lofton returns to the Sun Belt after spending one season with Gardner-Webb where he had 56 receptions for 934 yards and five touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Big South. The redshirt junior was with James Madison before that but didn’t see much action. I’m sure he’s looking forward to the Oct. 22 date with the Dukes.
DL Donquarius Parker, Arkansas State
Now in his fifth season, Parker spent two years at Bucknell where he redshirted in 2022 and spent his last two seasons with North Carolina Central. He finished last year with 39 total tackles, 11.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. Those numbers earned him second-team All-MEAC honors.
DL Donovan Grayson, Coastal Carolina
With 38 incoming transfers and 56 total newcomers, it’ll be a new-look Chanticleers team under first-year coach Ryan Beard. Grayson comes from a Samford team that was 1-11 last year, but he was one of the bright spots defensively. The 6-3, 240-pound redshirt junior finished with 43 total tackles, 10 TFLs, and seven sacks in 2025.
OL Frankie Tinilau, JMU
The Dukes are replacing four of their five starting offensive linemen and, at 6-6, 235 pounds, Tinilau is a force up front who should be competing for one of the tackle spots. The Brisbane, Australia, product started 10 games for ETSU last year and, before that, was with the University of Miami for two years.
LB Rashon Myles Jr., Georgia Southern
Myles was a second-team FCS All-American last season after logging 115 total tackles, eight TFLs, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and five fumble recoveries. The redshirt senior was a first-team all-conference selection and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the best player in the subdivision. Georgia Southern’s defense struggled last season, so Myles should give it a boost.
CB Brayden Hall, Marshall
Hall started all 13 games for Central Connecticut State last season and registered 51 total tackles and 10 pass breakups. He was tabbed second-team all-conference and didn’t allow a touchdown. The redshirt senior also returned punts, so he could provide special teams production for the Thundering Herd.
RB Trey Hall, Old Dominion
After a strong two-year showing for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Hall transferred to Ole Miss. But he was forced to redshirt last year with an injury. During his two seasons at MGCCC, he rushed for 1,981 yards and 20 touchdowns. Hall was a JUCO All-American.
QB Ethan Hampton, Southern Miss
It seems like Hampton is shaping up to be QB1 for new head coach Blake Anderson. Hampton, a graduate student, comes from Illinois where he only played in four games last year with just four pass attempts. Before that, he was at Northern Illinois where he started 10 games and passed for 1,600 yards and 12 TDs. Hampton was the QB for NIU’s 2024 upset over Notre Dame.
DL Phillip Bradford, Texas State
A menace on the interior for McNeese State last year, Bradford registered 40 tackles and 15.5 TFLs. He also had two interceptions, three PBUs, five QB hurries, and a fumble recovery. The 6-6, 308-pound redshirt junior was a first-team All-Southland honoree. He also played under new Texas State DL coach Chris Gistorb.
WR Howard Kinchen, Troy
Troy’s wideout room lost nearly all of its production from last year which means returning QB Goose Crowder will have to find some new favorite targets. It sounds like Kinchen has become one of them this spring and could be in for a big season. He was with Pearl River CC the previous two seasons and had 39 receptions for 423 yards and five TDs last year.
