Unfortunately for the Group of Six, many of those schools lose a lot of their best players to the transfer portal. And some of those athletes become stars at Power Four schools and go on to be highly-rated NFL prospects.
But that also provides opportunities for G6 schools, as they can offer playing time for backups at P4 schools and give them chances to shine on the field rather than sit on the sideline.
The transfer portal is open just once this year, which is a change from years past and makes the upcoming days a bit more urgent for all college football programs.
Here’s a look at some of the most significant recent moves in the transfer portal:
Caleb Hawkins To Oklahoma State
Many of North Texas’ top playmakers are following head coach Eric Morris from UNT to Oklahoma State. Caleb Hawkins is one of them.
The Mean Green running back was fifth in the country in 2025 with 1,434 rushing yards. The HERO Sports Group of Five All-American was also first in the nation with 25 touchdowns on the ground. As a freshman, he also caught 32 passes for 370 yards and four TDs.
Hawkins, who’s ranked 20th among all transfer prospects and is the top running back according to 247Sports, could end up proving to be one of the best RBs in the country by the time his collegiate career is over.
Wyatt Young To Oklahoma State
Wyatt Young, another G5 All-American in 2025, is going with head coach Eric Morris and quarterback Drew Mestemaker and making the move from North Texas to Oklahoma State.
As a sophomore last season, Young was third in the nation with 1,264 receiving yards. He was tied for 12th with 10 receiving TDs and was tied for 23rd with 70 catches.
As a freshman in 2024, Young played in 13 games and started four, catching 18 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
Young is a four-star transfer prospect and the 12th-highest ranked WR by 247Sports with two years of eligibility remaining. He could end up having a couple more fantastic seasons at OSU.
Ty Benefield To LSU
Lane Kiffin is already adding several star players from the G6 going into his first season as LSU’s head coach. Former Boise State defensive back Ty Benefield is one of them.
Benefield was a first-team All-Mountain West selection and the Mountain West Championship Defensive MVP in 2025. He was an all-conference honorable mention the year prior.
This past season as a junior, he totaled 107 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, five passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. In 2024, he tallied 82 tackles, five TFLs, two interceptions, five passes defended, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. In three seasons at Boise State, he has recorded 235 tackles, 18 TFLs, three sacks, five picks, and 16 passes defended.
It was possible Benefield, a four-star transfer prospect ranked 35th overall and is the second-best safety via 247Sports, pursued a professional career after the 2025 campaign. But instead, he’s heading to LSU, which is a great addition for the Tigers.
Tre’ Brown III To LSU
LSU is also adding a four-star transfer prospect from a G6 school on the offensive side of the ball. Old Dominion wide receiver Tre’ Brown III is going to the Tigers after one season at ODU.
The former Hutchinson Community College transfer caught 38 passes for 762 yards and four touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2025. He was an All-Sun Belt third-team selection.
A four-star transfer prospect and the 24th-highest ranked WR by 247Sports, he could end up giving LSU’s offense some explosiveness in 2026.
Brody Foley To Louisville
Brody Foley, a first-team G5 All-American tight end while at Tulsa, is going to Louisville.
At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Foley was tied for second in the nation among tight ends and tied for 38th overall with seven receiving touchdowns in 2025. He was also 13th at his position with 528 yards and 25th with 37 catches.
Prior to Tulsa, Foley was at Indiana for three seasons and played in 20 games. He’s the third-highest ranked tight end in the transfer portal and a four-star prospect, via 247Sports.
Yannick Smith To SMU
Yannick Smith, one of the best wide receivers in the American Conference in 2025, is going to a team that used to play in the American, SMU.
Smith was an All-American Conference third-team pick in 2025, catching 44 passes for 583 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. He tallied 434 yards and three touchdowns on 25 receptions in 2024.
According to 247Sports, Smith is the 18th-best player at his position group and is a four-star transfer prospect.
Kolt Dieterich To Washington
Kolt Dieterich, the ninth-highest ranked offensive tackle in the transfer portal, the 76th-highest overall prospect, and a four-star player according to 247Sports, is leaving Sam Houston for Washington.
At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, Dieterich was a redshirt sophomore last year. He was 47th in Pro Football Focus’ grades in 2025 for offensive tackles (minimum 500 snaps played). He was 56th for run blocking and 118th for pass blocking.
